Trustee/Treasurer for African Initiatives

African Initiatives is a social justice organisation working with communities in Africa to build their knowledge and ability to address their needs and access their rights. African Initiatives supports partners to empower marginalised people to fully participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Overall Purpose of the post:
To maintain an overview of African Initiatives’ affairs, overseeing the organisation’s financial viability and ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

Key Duties
•Determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning and to promote and develop the charity in order for it to increase its efficiency and effectiveness
•Maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring that
expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects and that its investment activities meet accepted standards and policies
•Ensure African Initiatives is compliant with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
•Oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements
•Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place and 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 registrar of companies.
•Monitor any investment activity and ensuring its consistency with African Initiatives’ policies and legal responsibilities.
•Contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to African Initiatives, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
•Keep the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
•Contribute to the fundraising strategy of African Initiatives.
•Ensure that African Initiatives has an appropriate reserves policy.
•Support and liaise with paid staff about financial matters, including regularly signing cheques.
•Advise on the financial implications of African Initiatives’ strategic plans.
•Ensure equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured.

Person Specification: Treasurer, Board of Trustees
•Financial qualifications and experience: Certified Accountant
•Local to the Bristol area
•An understanding of and a commitment to African Initiatives, its purpose and its work Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
•Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
•A broad experience of good governance in business, the public sector or not-for-profit organisations and an understanding of the governance of charities and the duties and responsibilities of trustees
•Experience of charity finance and fundraising
•A commitment to act solely in the best interest of the organisation, without regard to personal interest or benefit
•Strategic vision and the ability to focus on practical issues
•Good, independent judgement
•The necessary time to be an effective trustee, including participating in African Initiatives’ events and fundraising strategy
•Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
•The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
•Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
•Experience of leadership and board level decision making
•Experience of wider financial issues and specific skills in audit and risk management
•An understanding of international issues and knowledge of the aims and purposes of African Initiatives and issues facing the organisation