Trustee

Role description

ACACIA UK (Action for Children and Communities in Africa)dispenses small and highly targeted grants to explore partnerships with organisations identified as making a real difference in the lives of the girls and boys who are living with developmental/neurological difficulties and impairments and mental health issues in East Africa. In particular we will focus on supporting them to gain access to good quality education that responds to their differing needs.

We are seeking to appoint two charity trustees with specific expertise in the area of programming and retail. Expertise related to developmental disability, and mental health issues are also desirable – ideally, although not inevitably,within an international development context or in the area of access to education.

The general responsibilities of a Trustee are:

  • To ensure that the charity complies with its governing rules, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulators;
  • To ensure that the charity pursues its charitable objects as defined in its governing documents;
  • To ensure that the charity applies its resources responsibly, effectively and exclusively to further its aims and objectives;
  • To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role of giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining long-term goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets;
  • To respond to e-mails on a regular basis to move the business of the charity forward/ on governance issues in between Board meetings;
  • To safeguard the good name and values of the charity;
  • To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity;
  • To ensure financial stability of the charity;
  • To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds;
  • To appoint and support staff and monitor their performance.

Trustees will use any specific knowledge or experience they may have to help the Board agree and make sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance requested by the Board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of the work of the charity in which the Trustee has special expertise.
Person specification
Each trustee will have the following general responsibilities:

  • ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives
  • contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
  • safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
  • declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee
  • be collectively responsible for the actions of the organisation and other trustees
  • ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
  • ensure the financial stability of the organisation and the proper investment of the organisation's funds
  • protect and manage the property of the organisation
  • attend meetings and read papers in advance of meetings
  • attend sub-committee meetings as appropriate
  • participate in other tasks as they arise from time to time, such as interviewing new staff, helping with fundraising
  • An ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to being a trustee, including attending four Board meetings each year and approximately four additional days between meetings as and when required, including responding promptly to e-mails when required;
  • Be based in or near Oxfordshire and a willingness to travel to Board meetings in Abingdon.
  • For the specific current vacancy, candidates should preferablyhave one or more of the following important criteria:

Important

  • Expertise in education, particularly within a development context
  • Expertise and experience in disability awareness, particularly related to developmental disabilities
  • Clinical knowledge of child developmental disability and / or child mental health issues in an international development context and the willingness to engage in the identification of appropriate interventions to support children into education
  • Knowledge of the retail sector, particularly in relation to charity shops.
  • Deep knowledge of effective international development programmes supporting children with developmental disability and mental health issues into education, including approaches to inclusive education, home-based and outreach work with communities, teacher training and curriculum development.

Desirable

  • Experience of operating at Board level;
  • Experience of living in East Africa, knowledge of East African governance structures, or working with East African community organisations.

Time commitment
The Board usually meets four times a year for up to four hours, in Abingdon or by skype / conference call. Board papers are issued a few days before each meeting. In addition, Trustees may be asked to contribute additional time (unlikely to be more than the equivalent of one day) between meetings.

Reimbursement
The position of Trustee is unpaid. However, the charity will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by Trustees in the course of their duties.
How to Apply
Please send your CV, covering letter to
Your covering letter should highlight which particular skills you would bring, your suitability and availability, as well as your reasons for applying.
If you would like to discuss this post informally first, please contact

Application deadline

Applications will be received and considered on a rolling basis with interview conducted on dates that are mutually convenient.

April 2016