Young Westminster Foundation have an exciting opportunity to join our Board of Trustees in the role of Treasurer. Please find the information below, and contact us if interested.

Remuneration:   Unpaid; reasonable expenses may be claimed
Location:   Westminster and the wider London area as required
Time commitment:   4 to 6 Board meetings per year to include the Annual General Meeting. Attendance at fundraising events as appropriate and sub-committees. Additional time commitment for preparation for meetings and dealing with matters arising between meetings

Reporting to:   Chair and co-Trustees

The most effective Boards are ones which comprise individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets. Trustees are ‘jointly and severally’ responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, and the probity of its activities. The Board of Trustees is responsible for developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing documents, and legal and regulatory requirements.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• To ensure the Young Westminster Foundation (YWF) carries out its purposes for the public benefit as defined in the governing document
• Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice
• Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place
• Regularly report the financial position at committee meetings (balance sheet, cash flow, fundraising performance etc)
• Oversee the production of an annual budget and propose its adoption at the last meeting of the previous financial year
• With your co-Trustees, to provide firm strategic direction to the organisation, agreeing overall objectives, defining goals and setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• To act in the organisation’s best interests, make balanced and adequately informed decisions, and avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to YWF conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body
• To ensure the organisation is accountable both internally and externally; to comply with accounting and reporting requirements and ensure that YWF is accountable to its members, beneficiaries and supporters

The above list of duties and responsibilities is indicative and not exhaustive. Trustees will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

 Individuals are sought who have a strong understanding of, and empathy with, our mission to improve children’s and young people’s life changes. Experience, skills, and expertise in charitable work, combined with an interest in issues facing children and young people and an in-depth understanding of our work and ambitions are particularly sought.

All trustees should be aware of, and understand, their individual and collective responsibilities and should not be overly reliant on one or more individual trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity.

Essential

• An understanding of the role of Trustee; understanding and acceptance of the statutory duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Experience of general accounting, financial management and reporting standards applicable to the charity sector
• Excellent financial analysis skills
• A willingness and capability to devote the necessary time to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role; a willingness to be available for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team, listen to others’ ideas and challenge constructively
• Strategic vision, sound independent judgement and effective decision-making
• A history of impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
• A proven track record of commitment to promoting equality and diversity
• A commitment to supporting children and young people

Desirable 

• Experience of working with an organisation that provides services directly to children, young people and their families
• Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising finance practice relevant to voluntary and community
• Successful experience of operating within a board or in a senior leadership / management position in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation, with experience in strategic and financial planning, scrutiny and overview

Trustee Eligibility

Please note that, under sections 178 to 180 of the Charities Act 2011, an individual must not act as a trustee if they are disqualified under the Charities Act, including if they:

• has an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud);
• is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into an arrangement with their creditors (for example, an individual voluntary arrangement); or
• has been removed as charity trustee or company director because of misconduct or

Application Process

Please send your CV and covering letter to helen@youngwestminster.com

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by current board members and a young person.