Temwa UK Finance Trustee

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

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. 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. Temwa UK is
registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

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. More information on the role of a trustee can be found in the guidance issued
by the Charity Commission. 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 Temwa UK 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 may be
 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 MD 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 Finance Trustee, the specific requirements for the role are:
 Help Temwa’s UK MD and senior team to develop good financial strategies and ensure best
Finance and Accounting practice which is aligned to Temwa’s culture and values
 Support the UK MD and Finance Manager as they assist Temwa Malawi in their Finance and
Accounting governance
 Provide advice and guidance to the UK Board of Trustees and the UK MD and UK Finance
Manager on Finance and Accounting matters, when required
 Support the UK MD and UK Board Chair in building and maintaining relationships with key donors ● Review, finalise and present financial information at regular Board meetings. These will include budgets, finance scorecards, financial accounts and financial analysis
 Maintain a regular connection with the Finance Portfolio holder in the Temwa Malawi Board of Trustees

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. Outside of board meetings the Finance Trustee will be expected to be in regular contact with the UK MD and Finance Manager.

Person specification
Each Temwa UK Trustee Board Member 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

Closing deadline for applicants is Friday 15th September.
Interested applicants should apply by emailing a CV and short cover letter to the UK Board Chair at richardpotter@blueyonder.co.uk.