Temwa UK HR Trustee

The Temwa UK HR Trustee is member of the UK Board of Trustees works closely with other members of the Board and the Temwa UK MD, leading on all matters relating to HR. Applicants for this post must have experience of working at a mid/senior-level in the field of HR.

About Temwa
Temwa’s mission is to develop self-sufficient communities in hard-to-reach rural areas. The charity’s work takes place in Malawi – one of the poorest countries in the world. Nkhata Bay North, the district in northern Malawi where we work, is one of the poorest in Malawi. Temwa achieves its mission by supporting projects in education, health, agriculture and forestry, and microfinance.
Temwa is incorporated as a charity in both the UK and Malawi, with a board of trustees in each country. The two boards of trustees work together whilst providing oversight to their respective organisations.

Who are the charity’s trustees?
The Charities Act 1993 defines charity trustees as the people responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity, regardless of what they are called. For Temwa UK the board of trustees comprises the chair and up to seven
appointed trustees each with a designated ‘portfolio’ or responsibility including Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Organisation (HR), Programmes and Strategy.

The role of the board of trustees
At its simplest, the role of the trustee board is to receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them for the charitable purposes as declared in the objects of Temwa UK. The trustee board must always act in the best interests of Temwa UK, exercising the same duty of care that a prudent person of business would in looking after the affairs of someone for whom he had responsibility. The trustee board must act as a group and not as individuals.

Duties of a trustee board member
The duties of a trustee board member are to:
 ensure that Temwa UK complies with its governing document (its Articles of Association),
charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

 ensure that Temwa UK pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
 ensure Temwa UK applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they maybe
 contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to Temwa
UK, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
 safeguard the good name and values of Temwa UK
 ensure the financial stability of Temwa UK
 protect and manage the property of Temwa UK and to ensure that proper investment of Temwa UK’s funds
 appoint and support the UK Managing 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 leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

For the HR Trustee, the specific requirements for the role are:
 Help Temwa’s senior team to ensure best HR practice which is aligned to Temwa’s culture and values.
 Support the Board, the Chair and the CEO to improve and further develop Temwa’s existing HR policy and practice
 Provide advice and guidance to the Board, the Chair and the CEO on HR matters, when required.
 Support the CEO and / or Chair with more complex ER cases
 Support the Board and the CEO to review policies and procedures, such as recruitment, selection, induction, grievance, code of conduct and so on
 Support the CEO and board to develop sound EDI policy and practice

Minimum time commitment
Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings. Board meetings are held four times a year usually at the weekend and last approximately 4 hours. Papers are distributed one week in advance of meetings. Trustees may also be asked to join extraordinary meetings to address topics that fall outside that schedule.

Person specification
Each trustee must have:
 a commitment to the mission of Temwa UK
 a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
 integrity
 strategic vision
 good, independent judgement
 an ability to think creatively
 a willingness to speak their mind
 an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

 an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of Temwa UK

The board of trustees collectively needs the skills and experience necessary to represent the portfolio of functions described above. Trustees will be appointed in order to provide these skills and experience.
Closing deadline for applicants is Friday 15th September.
Interested applicants can apply by emailing a CV and short cover letter to the UK Board Chair at richardpotter@blueyonder.co.uk.