Working for Assisi
Join our team and help make a difference to Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland with Assisi Animal Sanctuary
2 voluntary positions currently available.
Board Chairperson
Assisi Animal Sanctuary would like to invite applications for the position of Chairperson on its Board of Trustees.
The Board of Assisi has overall control of the Charity and is responsible for oversight of its activities and for achievement of its charitable purposes. As Chair of the Board, you will play an essential role in running the charity, bringing valuable experience, skills and knowledge to help maintain the values and further develop the vital work carried out by the organisation.
About Assisi Animal Sanctuary
Founded in 1997, Assisi Animal Sanctuary provides shelter, care, food, veterinary treatment, and safety for stray and unwanted companion animals throughout Northern Ireland with the ultimate aim of finding the right new home for all the animals that come into our care. We care for up to 200 animals in our sanctuary at any given time and animal welfare is paramount to everything we do.
Main responsibilities
The Chairperson is responsible for effectively leading the Charity. Responsibilities of the role include:
- Ensuring that the Senior Management Team (SMT) understand the strategic priorities, plans and policies as agreed by the Board
- Regularly reviewing and reporting back to the Board on performance against strategic objectives, supported by SMT
- Developing Assisi’s key relationships with major stakeholders
- Ensuring that Assisi effectively fulfils its objectives, general functions, duties and appropriately exercises its legal powers in conjunction with the Board
- Along with the SMT, communicating Assisi’s plans and achievements to stakeholders and the public.
- Ensuring that Board Members operate in accordance with good governance best practice and standards
- Ensuring compliance and maximising Board effectiveness; establishing, monitoring and reviewing governance structures, systems and processes.
- Directing, supporting and managing the SMT – including agreeing personal objectives and undertaking an annual written appraisal of their performance
- Recommending compensation reviews to the Board or sub-committee as appropriate
- Creating and disbanding advisory groups and committees when appropriate
- Managing annual Trustee self-assessments and holding one to one meetings between the Chairperson and Board Members.
- Deputising responsibilities to a Vice Chairperson or another nominated Board Member on occasions of prolonged absence or unavailability.
- Presenting to the Charity’s members at the Annual General Meeting on the performance of the Charity throughout the period
- Preparation of the Trustee Report for the annual audit and AGM
- Conducting Skills Audits of Trustees from time to time in line with needs of the Charity.
- Conducting a review of the Articles of Association at regular intervals.
Board Meetings
- The Board of Trustees will hold 12 full meetings annually. In addition to this there will be further ad hoc meetings to discuss specific and urgent issues if/when they present
- The Chairperson should attend all meetings of the Board and of relevant Committees
- The Chairperson shall study the papers in advance of the meeting and be prepared to participate in debate at the meeting and cast their vote
Skills and Competencies
Those interested in serving as Chair of the Board must be able to demonstrate that:
- You understand the responsibilities of company directors and company trustees, the importance of good governance, and agree to work in accordance with any code of practice agreed by the Board. Ongoing support, learning and development opportunities will be offered to Trustees.
- You have significant leadership skills, preferably gained through previous Board Chair experience, including the ability to be objective, explore and question, and to act decisively when necessary.
- You are a team player, able to listen and work with others, offer guidance and support, and ensure effective decision-making by the board.
- You are a good communicator, willing and able to promote the decisions of the Board and the interests of Assisi Animal Sanctuary.
- You have strong analytical skills, can assimilate information and grasp complex issues quickly, and then apply independent judgment.
- You are committed to the work of Assisi Animal Sanctuary and Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland.
- You are able and willing to act impartially and apolitically.
- You are able to commit the time to attend the monthly board meetings and attend various events and activities as they arise throughout the year.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a 1-page cover letter detailing your suitability for the Chairperson role to mary@assisi-ni.org
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 29th September 2023 at 12:00 noon.
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Company Secretary
Assisi Animal Sanctuary would like to invite applications for the position of Company Secretary on its Board of Trustees.
The Board of Assisi has overall control of the Charity and is responsible for oversight of its activities and for achievement of its charitable purposes. As Company Secretary of the Board, you will play an essential role in ensuring effective Board operations and governance, bringing valuable experience, skills and knowledge to help maintain the values and further develop the vital work carried out by the organisation.
About Assisi Animal Sanctuary
Founded in 1997, Assisi Animal Sanctuary provides shelter, care, food, veterinary treatment, and safety for stray and unwanted companion animals throughout Northern Ireland with the ultimate aim of finding the right new home for all the animals that come into our care. We care for up to 200 animals in our sanctuary at any given time and animal welfare is paramount to everything we do.
Main responsibilities
The Company Secretary is responsible for advising the Board on governance matters. Responsibilities of the role include:
- Maintaining the company’s statutory books, including
- the register of present and past trustees and secretaries
- minutes of general meetings and board meetings
- Filing annual returns at Companies House and the Charity Commission. Other documents which must be filed include the trustees’ report and auditors’ report, and financial statements, including details of the company’s assets and liabilities. This will be supported by the Senior Management Team who have day-to-day responsibility for Finance.
- Arranging meetings of the trustees and the members, including the Annual General Meeting. This responsibility will involve the issue of proper notices of meetings, preparation of agendas, liaising with the SMT to collate and circulate relevant papers and taking and producing minutes to record the business transacted at the meetings and the decisions taken.
- Informing Companies House and the Charity Commission of any significant changes in the company’s structure or management, including (among others) the appointment or resignation of trustees.
- Ensuring the security of the company’s legal documents, including for example, the certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association.
- Deciding on the company’s policy for the filing and retention of documents, and ensuring the Board has an effective governance framework that is subject to regular review, including all relevant policies and procedures.
- Advising trustees on their duties, and ensuring that they comply with corporate legislation and the articles of association of the company, as well as any Charity Commission requirements.
- Ensuring trustees are kept up-to-date with regulatory or other change that may impact the delivery of their duties.
- Maintaining the compliance calendar for the Board, ensuring documents are added on a rolling schedule and circulated as part of Board packs for review by trustees
Board Meetings
- The Board of Trustees will hold 12 full meetings annually. In addition to this there will be further ad hoc meetings to discuss specific and urgent issues if/when they present
- The Company Secretary should attend all meetings of the Board and of relevant Committees
Skills and Competencies
Those interested in serving as Company Secretary of the Board must be able to demonstrate that:
- You understand the responsibilities of company directors and company trustees, the importance of good governance, and agree to work in accordance with any code of practice agreed by the Board. Ongoing support, learning and development opportunities will be offered to the successful candidate
- You have company secretarial experience, or alternatively be a member of (or working towards being a member of) any of the following bodies: the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland; Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators; the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, or the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting
- You are a team player, able to listen and work with others, offer guidance and support, and ensure effective decision-making by the board.
- You have strong analytical skills, can assimilate information and grasp complex issues quickly, and then apply independent judgment.
- You are committed to the work of Assisi Animal Sanctuary and Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland.
- You are able and willing to act impartially and apolitically.
- You are able to commit the time to attend the monthly board meetings and attend various events and activities as they arise throughout the year.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a 1-page cover letter detailing your suitability for the Company Secretary role to mary@assisi-ni.org
The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 29th September 2023 at 12:00 noon.
