GENERAL TRUSTEE
Board Of Trustees
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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Introduction
Thank you for taking the first step and showing interest in the work EquipAfrica Charitable Trust (EACT) carries out. We are seeking for a group of individuals to work alongside the current trustees to further the good works of EACT.
At EACT we strive to improve healthcare in Africa by implementing a sustainable and high quality standard of health care. This is achieved through the provision of necessary medical equipment and training of healthcare staff in the use of the equipment.
The organisation began as a university society at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in October 2013, known as EquipAfrica. As soon as the official EquipAfrica society committee members were set, we immediately started planning and raising funds for our first project; supplying medical equipment to the emergency department of General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, where the director of EACT, who is a medical student, volunteered over the summer of 2013. We carried out a needs assessment using the World Health Organisations (WHO) list of the minimum equipment a first response centre should have.
From the beginning, with only a small budget and limited access to funds, we set out by doing cake sales every other week for an entire year. This in turn raised a significant amount of money and we were able to buy promotional material to get the societies name more known across the campus. Our first large scale event, a remake of the dating game show ‘Take Me Out’ in February 2014, which was by far one of the most well attended fundraising event we as an organisation had hosted in the entire year. Currently, ‘Take Me Out’ is one of the most popular events at Queen Mary University that the university students eagerly look forward to year after year. By the end of 2014, we had raised enough money to start purchasing medical equipment and were able to ship to Lagos, Nigeria bringing the Nigeria project to a successful close.
“The equipment donated by your organisation has improved our overall performance in the department. We are indeed very appreciative.
It has improved our operations tremendously.” – General Hospital, Lagos
By July 2014, we became a UK registered charity, one of our biggest achievements in such a short span of time. In June 2015, EACT hosted its first Annual Dinner, where we invited our supporters, sponsors, and keynote guest speakers to celebrate our first anniversary of being a registered charity and to acknowledge our accomplishments. Every academic year (September - August) a new committee is elected to run the university society at QMUL. The society is now a self-sustained and exists solely to fundraise awareness of our cause amongst the student and staff bodies at Queen Mary University.
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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We continue to raise publicity amongst students not only on Queen Mary campus but nationwide. By reaching out to other universities across England, for the 2014-1015 academic year, UCL African-Caribbean Society chose to sponsor us and hold events behalf of EACT. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the ‘Raise and Give (RAG) society of St George’s University of London has chosen EACT as their charity to sponsor. However, we have also started applying for grants for our future projects.
During your time with EACT you'll be presented with both great opportunities and challenges. You will play a paramount role in applying your experience, knowledge, key skills, and networks to contribute to the projects we embark on.
This is an exciting time for EACT, with our new projects and new sponsors coming together, it is vital that the Board Of Trustees ensures and maintains the credibility of EACT.
EquipAfrica is a new, growing charity; you being a part will allow you to mould the future and express your innovative skills. If you’re interested in joining the team to strive in our mission and generate increasing impact, we will love to hear from you.
Remember, to save a life is to save a generation…
Ely Enwerem,
Volunteers Coordinator
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About EquipAfrica Charitable Trust
Vision…
‘To improve the quality of healthcare provision in Sub-Saharan Africa.’
Mission…
‘To relieve sickness and preserve and protect good health for the public benefit through;
1) The provision of medical equipment and training in their usage to enable the healthcare staff utilise them safely and optimally.
2) Raising awareness of the impoverished state of hospitals and other healthcare providers across most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.’
USEFUL LINKS:
Website
http://www.equipafrica.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Equipafrica/
www.twitter.com/Equip_Africa_
www.instagram.com/equipafrica
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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EquipAfrica Charitable Trust – Governance, Management, Structure
Governance
EquipAfrica Charitable Trust is a registered charity (number 1157689) founded in 2013. It is registered in England and its registered address is 12 Strode Road, Newham, London, E7 0DU.
The members of the Board are trustees under charity law.
The Board (Trustees/Directors)
Ogagaoghene Sim-Ifere Chair
Oriyomi Adebowale Secretary
Robyn Drew Treasurer
Management Team
Cassandra Asare Vice Chair
Daniella Ashaju Events Director
Kanoyin Falayi Public Relations Director
Ely Enwerem Volunteers Director
Tolu Ojo-Williams Events and Web Director
Bentley Ntow Sponsorship Director
The Board of Trustees of the charity consists of a minimum of 3 trustees, which includes the Chair, Treasurer and the Secretary, with no maximum limit of the number of trustees. All elected Board Members serve a two-year term of office but may be eligible for a re-election for a further three-year term. Meetings of the Board take place 6 times a year. Generally, these are held in London; two Board meetings each year involving a one-day strategic planning meeting.
Management
The Board delegates responsibility for the day to day management of EACT to its Chief Executive of the Management Board, currently made up of 6 volunteers.
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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Trustee – Role Description
Main Purpose
General members of the Board are expected to act in the charity’s best interest, dismissing his or her own private interests and to safeguard the good name and values of EACT. Board members use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach comprehensive decisions.
The Chair of the Policy Committee is also a General Board Member.
The Role
· To ensure that EACT complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, Charity Law, Company Law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· To ensure that EACT’s pursues its charitable objects as defined in its Memorandum and Articles of Association and applies its resources exclusively to the pursuance of those objective
· To safeguard the good name and values of the charity and the confidentiality of discussions
· To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity
· Act as an ambassador for EACT
· From time to time, attend functions and other meetings in the interest of EACT
· To ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds to maintain financial stability
· To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluation performance against agreed targets
· To promote EACT’s activities to appropriate audiences
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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Personal Specification – Skills and Experience
Requirements / Essential / DesirableEligibility1 / · At least 16 years of age
· Not disqualified as a company director
· No unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (e.g. fraud)
· Not currently declared bankrupt
· Never removed as a trustee of any charity by the charities commission because of misconduct or mismanagement
Experience / · Evidence of interest in third sector
· You do not need to have previous experience of being a board member / · Previous experience working in the third sector
Key Skills / · Networking skills- promoting EACT externally
· Ability to work in a team / · IT skills- including use of excel, PowerPoint, word and e-mail
Personal Attributes / · A commitment to improving healthcare in the developing world, especially in Africa
· A willingness to provide time commitment (described above in roles) / · A passion for creating a difference in the developing world
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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Terms and Conditions
Time Requirements
The candidate must be willing to an initial term of two years and potentially 5 years, on anticipation of being re-selected.
The role requires a significant time commitment of at least 2 full-day commitments each year, which is included in the 6 Trustee Board members meeting. There is an Annual General Meeting, where the Management team and the Board of Trustees gather to discuss the progress of EACT. These generally will be held in London.
The Chair of Trustees is expected to maintain regular contact with the work of the organisation through the Director of the Management Team. This will involve regular contact by telephone and e-mail and when needed occasional meetings.
Members of the Board are expected to attend and support main events EACT host and on occasion attend meetings with other organisations.
Salary
This role is not paid however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
Timetable – dates subject to change
Advertisement September 2016
Application Close Date 14th October 2016
Review of Applications* 15th – 17th October 2016
Interviews in London 18th – 21st October 2016
Positions Allocated 31rd October 2016
* If upon review of applications its determined that a stronger field of candidates is needed, EACT may decide to extend the advertisement period.
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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How To Apply
To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement including your reasons and motivations for applying for this role. Please ensure that the supporting statement provides concise and specific examples to demonstrate your competencies, achievements and skills addressing the criteria listed.
Please ensure that you have included contact details, including your mobile phone number and your e-mail address.
Applications should be emailed to
1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-what-you-need-to-do#s3 Viewed on 29th October 2015.
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