Treasurer and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
About Wikimedia UK
Wikimedia UK is the national charity for the global Wikimedia movement. We work with the Wikimedia Projects such as Wikipedia to enable people and organisations to contribute to a shared understanding of the world through the democratic creation, distribution and consumption of knowledge. Wikimedia UK has a strong track record of delivery and works in partnership with leading organisations from the cultural and education sectors and beyond in order to unlock content, develop new ways of engaging with the public, remove barriers to knowledge and enable learners to benefit fully from the educational potential of the Wikimedia projects. The team is currently working with over 50 organisations including Bodleian Libraries, British Library, House of Commons, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, Scottish Libraries and Information Council, Tate, University of Edinburgh and Wellcome Library.
Treasurer & Chair of Audit & Risk Committee
Job Title: Treasurer and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Hours: Roughly 10 - 12 days a year
Location: Anywhere, with occasional travel to London (Southwark)
Reports To: Chair and Wikimedia UK Board
Responsible For: ARC members, with direct input in the Wikimedia UK Board
Salary: Unremunerated
Length of Contract: 3 years, with potential for re-election
Purpose of the Role: Overseeing the charity’s financial health and the viability of the charity's strategy. Taking a lead responsibility for developing and implementing appropriate policies for financial management, including investment, funding (whether voluntary, revenue-earning or borrowing) and all aspects of financial reserves.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Chair the quarterly Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) meetings; working with the executive to plan the agenda, inputting into draft papers as necessary, chairing meetings and reporting back to the full board on key actions and recommendations
- Oversee the charity’s financial health and the financial viability of the charity's business plan and annual budget, raising issues with the executive, ARC and/or the full board as necessary
- Support the organisation’s strategic financial planning, working with the executive to ensure the inclusion of financial projections in strategic and business plans
- Keep fellow board members apprised of their financial obligations and provide assurance of the board’s due compliance in that respect at all times
- Maintain oversight for the board over the spending of annual budgets, including ensuring that budget decisions are recorded appropriately, and are followed
- Ensure that the board receives regular comprehensive financial management reports (currently in the form of a Quarterly Management Financial Report produced by the Director of Finance and Operations)
- Lead on the interpretation of financial data to the Board from time to time, including operational, fundraising and investment performance against target and against sector norms
- Ensure that SORP-compliant statutory annual accounts are prepared and that these are appropriately audited or independently examined as required by law and/or the charity’s major funders
- Undertake expert liaison with the charity’s auditors
- Liaise with the executive for due compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House annual filing obligations via the ARC on behalf of the board
- Complement the Chair’s Report by delivering a Treasurer’s Report to the company members at each AGM
- Work closely with the executive on the tender process for auditors, which generally takes place every four years
- Ensure that the required proper accounting records and an effective system of internal financial controls is maintained
- Support the executive in the development of the Risk Register, and ensure regular review of the Register takes place with detailed discussion at ARC meetings, with regular opportunities for the full board to consider the charity’s Major Risks
- Support the executive in the development of appropriate financial policies/procedures and play a key role in ensuring that the policies are followed
Monitor, review and advise the board on any other finance or risk related matter arising from time to time, in support of the executive and in conjunction with the ARC �
Person Specification
- An appropriate accountancy qualification
- A broad understanding of financial planning, management and reporting within the not for profit sector
- The ability to read and understand detailed management and statutory accounts
- Experience of chairing meetings, either in a professional or voluntary context
- Preferably, senior executive management experience
- Experience of working or volunteering within a UK based charity is highly desirable.
How to apply
To apply for this position please send a cover letter and CV to katie.crampton@wikimedia.org.uk with Treasurer and Chair of ARC in the subject line. All communications relating to this vacancy will be dealt with in confidence.
In your cover letter, please give details of how you meet the person specification, drawing on your relevant experience and giving examples.
Deadline for applications: Midnight on Saturday the 28th of April 2018.
Background information
Equal Opportunities: Wikimedia UK has a commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both services to our members and clients, and in the employment of people, and expects all employees and volunteers to understand and promote its policies in their own work.
Fire, Health and Safety: Wikimedia UK is committed to a healthy and safe working environment and expects all its employees to consider and integrate health and safety in all work activities.
Sustainable Development: Wikimedia UK is committed to the principles of sustainable development and all employees are expected, in so far as possible, to maintain work practices in line with the principles of sustainable development.
Continuing Professional Development: Wikimedia UK is committed to the continuing professional development of all its staff and volunteers. Employees are expected to develop learning plans in conjunction with their line manager in order to undertake training or other career development opportunities that they feel would develop their work and the operation of the Charity.
Data Protection: Wikimedia UK holds sensitive data on its members, volunteers, donors and those using its services. All employees are required to maintain an awareness of data protection responsibilities, and to execute all relevant duties with tact, discretion and due respect to confidentiality of clients, members and staff.