SURF is looking for a new Trustee to take on the role of Treasurer. Trustees play an important part in our life and work. They give their own time and skills to supporting the most vulnerable in Rwanda, without financial recompense. We thank them for all that they have done and will continue to do. If you are interested or know anyone who would fit the profile, please do respond.
TREASURER
Survivors Fund (SURF) currently has a Board of 12 trustees, 4 of which are UK-based survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi and 8 of which are from diverse professional backgrounds. Due to our current treasurer moving on to new challenges, we are recruiting a successor to begin in 2016, for an initial three-year term. Timing is negotiable.
For further information on SURF please visit our website at www.survivors-fund.org.uk.
To apply for the position, please send a letter of interest and a CV by email to SURF survivors fund at gmail.com by Monday 7th September. Please feel free to send any questions by email, and to arrange a chat if you need to know more about the position, or require any further information. Thank you.
The overall role of a treasurer is to:
- Maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs
- Ensuring its financial viability
- Ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
Qualities – Must have:
- A commitment to the cause of genocide survivors in Rwanda and SURF objectives.
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort and availability to attend Board meetings and the AGM. Missing meetings should be under exceptional circumstances.
- A knowledge of financial management
- An ability to translate financial information into lay terms for trustees who may not be as numerate.
- Good financial analysis skills
- An ability to communicate clearly
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Overall :
- Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
- Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.
- Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation.
- Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits.
Specifically :
- Liaise with Board members, the UK Coordinator, the Chief Executive and the Accountant in Rwanda to ensure the financial viability of the organisation.
- Make fellow Board members aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data to them.
- Report the financial position at Board meetings (balance sheet, cash flow, fundraising performance etc).
- Oversee the production of an annual budget and propose its adoption at the last meeting of the previous financial year.
- Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place, ie:
- Cheque signatories
- Purchasing limits
- Purchasing systems
- Petty cash/ float
- Salary payments
- Pensions
- PAYE and NI payments
- Others as appropriate
- Appraising the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
- Lead on appointing and liaising with auditors/an independent examiner.
Other:
- You will not be expected to perform book-keeping duties as we have an accountant in place in Rwanda.
General responsibilities (of all SURF trustees)
- To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
- To contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
- To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
- To appoint the director and monitor his/her performance.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve:
- Scrutinising board papers
- Leading discussions
- Focusing on key issues
- Providing guidance on new initiatives
- Other issues in which the trustee has special expertise
Additional duties of the treasurer:
- Overseeing and approving budgets, accounts and financial statements
- Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs
- Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
- Supporting the director to present financial reports to the board
- Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
- Liaising with the director about financial matters
- Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans
- Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy
- Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity
- Monitoring the organisation’s investment activity and ensuring its consistency with the organisation’s policies and legal responsibilities
- Ensuring the organisation’s compliance with legislation
- Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, e.g. Charity Commission
- Ensuring that the accounts are audited in the manner required and any recommendations are implemented
- Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
- Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation
- Supporting the Chief Executive to make a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
