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Trustee

Employer
The National Energy Foundation
Location
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Salary
Unpaid. Expenses incurred while travelling to meetings will be reimbursed
Closing date
22 Jun 2020

NEF is seeking to recruit new Trustees to help shape the future strategy of the charity and to ensure best possible governance. Whilst we encourage applicants with a range of expertise, skills and experience, we are particularly keen to hear from people with in-depth knowledge of HR, Finance and Legal or Regulatory.

This role can be based anywhere, although regular travel to meetings in Milton Keynes or London would be required; it is also unremunerated, although reasonable expenses in connection with the post will be reimbursed.

Trustees are not expected to be involved in day-to-day operational matters, but rather will ensure there is exemplary non-executive organisational oversight.

Job Description: Trustee  

Reporting to: Chair

Responsible for: Organisational oversight

NOTE: The current recruitment drive for Trustees is in preparation for a potential merger or collaboration between the National Energy Foundation (NEF) and another organisation.

Summary

Salary: Unpaid. Expenses incurred while travelling to meetings will be reimbursed.

Hours: The total commitment is likely to be equivalent of up to 10 days a year (subject to change) including four Trustees meetings a year induction and briefing sessions, AGM, annual ‘away day’ and preparation time for meetings.

Location: These roles can be nationally based, although travel to meetings primarily held in Milton Keynes and London will be required. Some meetings and briefing sessions will be conducted  online via video conferencing.

Closing date: 10th June 2020

Background

NEF is an independent, national charity (no. 298951) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (no. 2218531) based in Milton Keynes. NEF’s Trustees are also members and Directors of the Limited Company. NEF has been at the forefront of improving the use of energy in buildings since 1988. It aims to give people, organisations and governments the knowledge, support and inspiration they need to understand and improve the use of energy in buildings, in particular the UK’s housing stock. The NEF achieves this through:

  • Delivering practical projects – using our experience and expertise.
  • Inspiring action – providing building owners and occupiers with the encouragement, advice and real-life examples to achieve better performing buildings.
  • Advancing knowledge - supporting collaboration to drive forward the frontiers of knowledge, innovation and practice.
  • Identifying and addressing market failures using evidence, analysis and ideas.

Trustee Duties

The Charities Act 1993 defines charity trustees as those responsible under the charity's governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity. This is the case regardless of the terminology used to describe the role. With this in mind the duties of an NEF Trustee Board Member are to:

  • Ensure that the NEF complies with its governing document (its Articles of Association).
  • Ensure adherence to charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
  • Ensure that the NEF pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
  • Ensure the NEF applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
  • Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to the NEF.
  • Set overall policy, defining goals and targets; and evaluating performance of the Chief Executive and the organisation overall against these agreed targets.
  • Promoting the organisation, its aims and impacts.
  • Safeguarding the good name and values of the NEF.
  • Ensuring the financial stability of the NEF.

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 leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the trustee has particular expertise.

Person Specification

Each Trustee must have:

  • A commitment to the mission of the NEF and experience in related sectors
  • A willingness to meet the minimum time requirement
  • Integrity and ability to act solely in the best interests of the organisation regardless of other roles or business interests
  • Strategic vision
  • Good, 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 and to take decisions for the good of the NEF.
  • Previous experience of being a Trustee is important for the majority of Board members, but we are also interested in recruiting new Trustees from among the beneficiary groups that we serve who wish to be trained in the role, want to commit to personal development and take on this role for the first time.  

The Board of Trustees collectively needs skills and experience in the following areas:

  • Financial management, income generation and enterprise
  • Public policy, public affairs and stakeholder engagement – particularly in the housing, energy, environmental sustainability and built environment sectors
  • National and local voluntary sectors
  • National and local government and statutory bodies
  • Digital strategy
  • Trading subsidiaries, social enterprises and joint ventures
  • Human resources and performance management
  • Funding/foundations
  • Collaborative partnerships
  • Quality Management Systems
  • Strategic charitable business development
  • Social investment and impact

Please also state how you first heard about this vacancy.

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