HR Trustee

HR Trustee

Role description

St Albans & District Foodbank is looking for a Trustee with Human Resources experience. We currently have seven active Trustees and are looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join our Board.

The Foodbank serves the local community providing emergency food for those facing crisis. In the last 12 months we provided over 14,000 food parcels. We distribute food via ten weekly distribution centres that are run around the district by our committed volunteers. We currently have 7 part-time staff and over 130 active volunteers.  We are more than a Foodbank as we offer wellbeing, signposting and advocacy services, both directly and in conjunction with other agencies.

Trustee meetings are held 6 times per year, typically on the third Tuesday of alternate months between 4.00 and 6.30pm.  Trustees are expected to undertake additional work for the charity between meetings, subject to their availability and skill set, for example representing the Charity at local events or with partnership organisations.

The Trustee role is voluntary and unremunerated, though reasonable expenses can be reimbursed.

Being a Trustee

The challenge of being a Trustee requires, amongst other things:

• ability to understand management information; 

• the ability to share and embrace knowledge and specialisms and 

• an understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship;

• strong communication skills and an ability to contribute effectively at meetings and

• a strong commitment to the objectives of the Foodbank.

Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board.  They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment with the Foodbank’s values and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Management and Volunteer Team.

What we are looking for:

The Foodbank is looking for an experienced HR professional with a thorough understanding of good HR practice.  

In addition to the general Trustee responsibilities described above, the HR Trustee will be the lead for HR issues on the Board and will support the Charity’s CEO on HR related issues. This includes recruitment and retention, setting and reviewing salaries, training and development, and implementing HR best practice policies and procedures.

We are looking for someone who wants to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst supporting the Foodbank to provide emergency food to those who find themselves in crisis.

 We are committed to building a diverse Board of Trustees and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience or professional or other knowledge of food poverty.