Trustee

Do you want to make a real difference to a Community of people with lived experience of homelessness? Then join us as trustee at Sussex Emmaus! We are seeking someone with the ability to lead on Charity Governance and EDI.

Welcome from the Chair

Sussex Emmaus is a thriving community of companion residents who have been homeless, paid staff, volunteers and trustees as well as a network of local people and organisations who support our work.

There are always challenges to be overcome to deliver the range and quality of accommodation and support that we want to, part funded by our retail social enterprises. Our trustees contribute significant time and effort to the running of the charity. We value the diversity of ideas and skills that trustees can bring and have a range of committees and areas of focused responsibility. We need people who support our values, can challenge constructively, who can work collaboratively, and who want to drive our vision and mission forward.

Thank you for your interest in our Board of Trustees.

Whether you decide to apply or not, I hope you will be an ally to our charity and the important work we do.

Your sincerely,

Rosemary Friggens

Chair of Sussex Emmaus

Trustee overall responsibilities

•     Ensure Sussex Emmaus complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations..

•     Ensure Sussex Emmaus pursues its objects as defined in its governing document. Maintain proper financial control and ensure that it applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objects.

•     To work with the CEO to develop strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

•     Please read Appendix 1 Charity Commission Guidance on ‘The Essential Trustee: what you need to know, and what you need to do’

Trustee specific responsibilities

•     Governance:

-   To attend board meetings and participate in decision making of the Board.

-   To be a member of committees of the Board as agreed.

-   To regularly evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of the Board.

-   To ensure that the organisation’s policies are in line with current legislation and good practice.

•     Financial:

-   To approve and regularly review the organisation’s budget.

-   To ensure that the organisation is financially structured for optimum strength.

-   To ensure that all published reports adequately reflect the nature of the organisation and its financial health.

-   To comply with the organisation’s conflict of interest policy.

-   To appoint independent auditors and approve audited accounts.

•     Leadership:

-   To develop and approve the organisation’s vision and values.

-   To promote the reputation of the organisation.

-   To provide the strategic leadership necessary for all staff to deliver high quality services at all times.

-    To represent the organisation at public events.

•     Strategy

-   To regularly assess the environment and develop the organisation’s corporate objectives.

-   To agree the annual business plan implementing the corporate objectives.

-   To review and agree any major changes to the organisation e.g. sale of assets or development of new enterprises.

•     Performance management

-   To monitor and assess the organisation’s results in relation to the agreed corporate objectives, budget and business plan

•     Risk management

-   To maintain a robust overview of the principal risks facing the charity.

-   To exercise scrutiny over the charity’s risk management systems. Executive performance monitoring and remuneration

-   To recruit and support the Chief Executive.

-   To monitor performance of the Chief Executive and maintain an overview of Senior Leadership Team performance.

-   To establish remuneration policy for the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

•     Other duties

-   Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions.

-   Act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and always bear the interests of Sussex Emmaus in mind.

-   As a member of the Board, be responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity.

-   To ensure that intangible assets such as organisational knowledge and expertise, intellectual property, the charity’s good name and reputation, etc, are properly valued, utilised and safeguarded

For more information and how to apply, please donwload the Trustee Recruitment Pack from our website. Candidates need to complete a CV and an application letter, setting out details about themselves and their suitability for trusteeship.