Trustee/Treasurer

After almost nine years in office, our current Treasurer is coming to the end of his term in 
office. We are seeking a replacement now to allow time for a transition period between the two 
postholders.

Concordis is a UK registered charitable company where the support function is based. The operational work is at an exciting transition. Having run programmes in a number of countries across the Sahel region of Africa for 20 years, we are now at a point where we can take a regional approach to our work. Communities and authorities affected by conflict across this borderlands region recognised the impact of our longstanding work in Central African Republic, Sudan and South Sudan, and invited us to set up mirrored programmes across the borders in Cameroon and Chad. A donor also recognised the impact of this work and approached us unilaterally with an offer of a significant, four-year grant to implement this programme.

Concordis' work is made possible by a wide range of people. The staff team look after the day-to-day activity, whilst overall governance is provided by of the Board of Trustees (currently 10 people). The Board has established four sub-committees to provide more detailed oversight in the areas of Finance, Funding and Fundraising, Human Resources and Risk. Concordis is supported by an Advisory Panel, a range of specialist advisors, and our Patrons, who support and endorse our work. The executive team is led by Peter Marsden, the CEO, and Sue Rooke, Director of Finance. Many of the 80 Concordis staff worldwide are nationals of the countries where we work.

With annual income of approximately £2.8 million, over 95% of Concordis’ funding is from larger institutional donors, notably the EU. Our projects range from 18 months to 36 months duration, and it can take 12-18 months to bring a funding proposal to fruition. It requires ongoing work to find and develop new funding opportunities, to ensure programmes can continue uninterrupted. The remaining 5% of our funding comes from private donors and trusts; an area we are looking to develop

Concordis works as a team, and if you wish to join us, please expect to be useful and give of yourself and your time. We need your financial expertise and experience to help Concordis maintain strong financial governance across its operations . I hope that you will consider joining us on our journey to bring sustainable peace and stability to the greater Sahel.

Duties and Responsibilities as a Trustee:

Main responsibilities

·         Determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning;

·         Ensure that the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the organisation’s governing document, continuously striving for best practice in governance;

·         Uphold the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity;

·         Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties. This course of action will ensure the obligation to exercise their duty of care; and

·         Avoid any personal conflict of interest.

Main duties

·         Ensure Concordis complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance of its objectives;

·         Act in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times;

·         Promote and develop the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society;

·         Maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with our objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies;

·         Appoint senior staff and support the Chair of Trustees to line manage the CEO;

·         Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources, striving for best practice in good governance;

·         Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of Trustees’ responsibilities to the charity.

Additional duties of the Treasurer:

·         Chair the quarterly Finance sub-committee meetings and report back on the work and recommendations of the committee in full Board meetings;

·         Liaise with the Director of Finance on a regular basis;

·         Oversee the approval and presentation of budgets, management accounts and financial statements to the Board and other stakeholders;

·         Ensure that the charity’s financial resources meet its present and future needs and that it has an appropriate reserves policy;

·         Ensure that Concordis has appropriate accounting procedures and controls and that these are implemented through an actively used Finance Manual;

·         Oversee the regular assessment, monitoring and mitigation of financial risks, especially fraud;

·         With the Director of Finance, manage the relationship with the external auditors including their appointment, remuneration and performance and review their audit plans and findings;

·         Act as a signatory on the bank mandate (in a back up capacity)

·         Provide ad hoc advice on financial matters to the Executive team and Board, as required.

Person Specification:

Concordis values diversity in its Board and welcomes people from all sections of the community.

Essential:

·         Qualified accountant

·         Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to the Board and other stakeholders

·         Analytical and evaluation skills

·         Fair, independent judgement and willingness to express their views

·         Adhere to and promote the Concordis Code of Conduct

·         Strategic and creative thinker

·         Collaborative team player

·         Committed to the values and ethos of Concordis

·         Willingness to act as an ambassador for Concordis and its work

Desirable:

·         Experience and knowledge of the not for profit sector, particularly international development

·         Working overseas or managing overseas branches, especially in Africa

Other Information:

·         The term of office is normally for an initial three years and, subject to mutual agreement, extendable for a further 2 three year terms up to a maximum of nine years;

·         There are four Board meetings (one full day) and four Finance Committee meetings a year. If time permits, Trustees can sit on two sub-committees. Trustees are also expected to attend occasional Concordis events.

·         Board meetings are held in London, with optional virtual attendance. Most committee meetings take place virtually

·         Reasonable out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed. Otherwise, the role is voluntary.