Honorary Treasurer, Board of Trustees of Childnet

Childnet

Location London, optionally remote
Salary Unpaid
  • Closing: 11:59pm, 12th Sep 2021 BST

Job Description

Childnet is a child online safety charity with a mission is to work in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.

We work directly with children and young people aged 3-18, as well as parents, carers, teachers and professionals, finding out about their real experiences online, and the positive things they are doing as well as sharing safety advice.

At the heart of all our work is the belief that when used properly the internet is a wonderfully positive tool. We strive to take a balanced approach, making sure that we promote the positive opportunities, as well as responding to the risks and equipping children and young people to deal with them.

Our Honorary Treasurer will play a vital role as part of our Board of Trustees, supporting Childnet's governance and providing financial oversight and strategic direction, helping Childnet in its mission to reach more young people, teachers and families than ever to help young people get the best out of their digital lives. The overall role of an Honorary Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs, ensuring its financial viability and ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.  The post involves working closely with the CEO and Business Manager.

Trustees' Responsibilities

  • To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

  • To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

  • To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.

  • To contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

  • To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

  • To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

  • To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.

  • To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity's funds.

  • If the charity employs staff, to appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives or on other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Additional duties of the Honorary Treasurer

Work closely with the CEO and Business Manager in:

  • Approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs

  • Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy

  • Ensuring that there is proper preparation and presentation of financial reports to the board

  • Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

  • Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters

  • Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans

  • Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and monitoring the organisation's investment activity and ensuring its consistency with the organisation's policies and legal responsibilities  (if appropriate)

  • Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity

  • Ensuring the organisation's compliance with legislation ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured

  • Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. the Charity Commission and/or the Companies House if external scrutiny of accounts is required, ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (Independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented

  • Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

  • Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation

  • Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

  • Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required

Person specification

A commitment to Childnet's vision and mission

  • A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

  • Strategic vision

  • Independent judgement

  • An ability to think creatively

  • A willingness to speak their mind

  • An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

  • An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

  • Financial qualifications and experience

  • Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes

  • The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences

  • A preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board

  • A willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis

Removing bias from the hiring process

Applications closed Sun 12th Sep 2021

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Removing bias from the hiring process

  • Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
  • You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review

Applications closed Sun 12th Sep 2021