Vice Chair

Age Concern Tyneside South (ACTS) is a Registered Charity which promotes the well-being of all older people and carers living in South Tyneside, improving their quality of life and helping them maintain their independence. We are looking to recruit a vice chairperson to join our existing board of trustees, working closely with the Chair, the Senior Management Team and other trustees. The role of the Vice Chair is to support the Chair to oversee the governance of the organisation to ensure it meets all charitable and statutory requirements, as well as assist with and contribute towards the long-term sustainability of the organisation. Also to deputise for the chair in their absence as well as the normal duties of a trustee. Role Summary

• Contribute to the strategic planning and development of the organisation in responding to the needs of our client group, directly linked to the sustainability of the organisation.
• Support the leadership and direction of the Chair and Board of Trustees and enable the Board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.
• Ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in our governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations.
• Works in partnership with the Chair, Chief Officer and Senior Management Team to support staff, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the board of Trustees and the staff.
• Develop organisational policies, define goals, targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets.
Main Responsibilities
• Commitment to the charity's objectives, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan's seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• Committed to ensuring highest standards of governance in policies and practice related to employee relations, recruitment, retention, as well as staff and trustee development
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the charity's beneficiaries, staff and the trustee board
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively in the best interests of the charity
• An opportunity to lead specific topic areas on behalf of the charity., The Board meets at least 4 times a year.
• When deputising for the Chair time will be required to prepare for Board meetings including agreeing the agenda and content of board meetings
• In addition to Board Meetings, other contact - usually electronic or by telephone - will be necessary.
  
  Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity's objectives and aims.
• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.
• Good communication and leadership skills
• Ability to chair meetings effectively.
Desirable
• Prior experience of committee/trustee work.
• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation.
• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.
• Leadership skills exercised through a period change.
A general background in strategy development and implementation; operational management; governance; commercial; finance; and organisation development in one or more of the voluntary, public or private sectors would be useful.