Governance & Risk Management Trustee

Role

The Governance & Risk Management Trustee provides specialist knowledge, constructive challenge and strategic oversight on BelEve’s governance arrangements, risk management frameworks, legal compliance and accountability structures. 

Working alongside the Chair, fellow trustees and the senior leadership team, the appointed trustee helps the Board make sure BelEve operates effectively, ethically and in line with its legal, regulatory and constitutional responsibilities, while protecting the organisation, its beneficiaries, staff and partners. 

This is not an operational management position. The appointed trustee will contribute as a full member of the Board, bringing specialist expertise to collective decision-making and offering appropriate challenge and assurance. They act as a critical friend to the Chair and CEO on: 

• Organisational risk identification, assessment and management, including oversight of the risk register 
• Governance frameworks, structures and best practice 
• Legal and regulatory compliance (Charity Commission, Companies House, GDPR, HMRC) 
• Board effectiveness and accountability 
• Financial governance, audit processes and internal controls, including independent challenge on the management accounts, reserves, budget and year end 
• Safeguarding risk, with detailed oversight sitting with the People, Culture & Safeguarding sub-committee 
• Policy frameworks, business continuity and organisational resilience

 The successful candidate will also sit on the Finance, Governance & Risk (FGR) sub-committee, giving the Board an additional independent view on financial matters, alongside the Treasurer and fellow members of the FGR sub-committee.

Key Responsibilities 

The role is one of assurance: asking for evidence, testing it and reporting back to the Board. Staff and committee leads run things day to day. 

Governance and Board effectiveness 

• Support the Chair in making sure the Board works in line with charity governance good practice and the Charity Governance Code.
•  Advise on, and constructively challenge, BelEve’s governance arrangements, policies and procedures. 
• Contribute to reviews of the effectiveness of the Board, its committees and governance arrangements. 
• Lead the annual governance review cycle (trustee skills audit and Board effectiveness review), and support the Chair on succession planning, working with the Clerk.
•  Seek assurance that the governing documents (Articles of Association, terms of reference, delegation framework) are current, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Noting that the Clerk keeps ownership of them. Support the induction and development of new trustees.
• Noting that the Chair leads induction and the Clerk assembles the induction pack.
•  Keep up with developments in charity governance, regulation and risk management, and advise the Board of matters that may affect BelEve. 

Risk management and oversight 

• Lead the Board’s oversight of BelEve’s Risk Register, bringing it to each FGR sub-committee meeting for review and seeking assurance that it is reviewed and updated regularly and reflects BelEve’s current risk landscape.
• The CEO and senior team maintain the register day to day. 
• Help the Board identify, assess and manage significant strategic, operational, financial, reputational and compliance risks. 
• Provide strategic challenge and guidance on organisational risk appetite and tolerance. 
• Support the development and regular review of BelEve’s risk management framework. 
• Encourage a culture in which risks are identified, discussed and managed early rather than avoided or overlooked. 

Legal and regulatory compliance 

• Help the Board understand and discharge its legal, regulatory and fiduciary responsibilities. This is not a legal advice role, as BelEve has access to legal advice. 
• Seek assurance that BelEve meets its obligations to the Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC and all relevant regulators. 
• Provide oversight of GDPR compliance, data protection policies and information governance. 
• Help make sure Serious Incident Reporting procedures are understood and followed at Board level. 

Internal controls, audit and financial governance 

• Help ensure that appropriate internal controls, policies and assurance arrangements are in place and operating effectively. 
• Support the Board in its financial governance responsibilities, alongside the Treasurer and fellow FGR sub-committee members, offering an additional independent view on the management accounts, reserves, budget and year end.
•  Provide oversight of the annual audit process and ensure audit findings and recommendations are addressed. 
• Ensure financial policies and procurement procedures are appropriate and adhered to. 

Wider risk and resilience 

• Seek assurance that health and safety, business continuity, data protection, fraud prevention, cybersecurity and insurance are on the Risk Register and reviewed on a regular basis depending on risk categorisation. 
• Seek assurance that safeguarding risks are on the Risk Register. Detailed safeguarding oversight sits with the People, Culture & Safeguarding sub-committee. 
• Seek assurance that key policies are reviewed on schedule and stay compliant with legislation and good practice. 
• Seek governance assurance on whistleblowing, complaints and conflict of interest procedures. 

Board contribution 

• Attend and contribute actively to Board meetings and FGR sub-committee meetings.
•  Contribute fully to Board discussions and collective decision-making, offering constructive challenge and strategic insight to the Chair, CEO and senior leadership. 
• Act at all times in the best interests of BelEve and its beneficiaries. 
• Act as an ambassador for BelEve and its mission. 

Trustee Responsibilities 

All trustees share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of BelEve. This includes: 

• Ensuring that BelEve is pursuing its charitable purposes and delivering public benefit. 
• Acting in BelEve’s best interests at all times. 
• Ensuring that BelEve complies with its legal and regulatory obligations. 
• Safeguarding BelEve’s assets and reputation. 
• Ensuring appropriate oversight of financial and organisational performance.
•  Contributing to effective strategic decision-making. Maintaining appropriate confidentiality. 
• Declaring and appropriately managing conflicts of interest. 
• Supporting BelEve’s values and promoting a positive culture. 
• The Governance & Risk Management Trustee will not be expected to be an expert in every aspect of charity governance.
• They will work collectively with the other trustees, drawing on the Board’s combined skills and experience. 

Essential 

• Experience in governance, risk management, compliance, audit, assurance, finance, law, regulation or a related field.
•  Able to read and challenge management accounts, a budget and a reserves position. A finance qualification is not required. Understanding of the role and responsibilities of charity trustees and the principles of good governance. Ability to analyse complex information, identify key risks and provide clear, constructive challenge. Sound judgement and the ability to consider issues strategically rather than becoming involved in operational detail. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a Board and contribute positively to collective decision-making. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. A commitment to BelEve’s mission, values, safeguarding responsibilities and the empowerment of girls and young women. Ability to devote the necessary time and attention to the role. 

Desirable  

• Experience of charity governance, including previous trustee or non-executive director experience. A formal qualification in governance, risk management, audit, finance, law or compliance is welcome but not essential. Knowledge of risk management frameworks and organisational risk assessment. 
• Experience in audit, internal controls or assurance. Financial risk management or charity finance experience. Regulatory compliance experience, including working with regulators, auditors or external assurance providers, and knowledge of charity law. This could come from a legal, charity accountancy or audit background. A lawyer is not essential, as BelEve has access to legal advice. Experience in one or more of: safeguarding governance in a statutory or voluntary sector setting, data protection and information governance, business continuity, organisational resilience or cybersecurity risk. Experience supporting scaling organisations or leading organisational change. Experience in the charity, education, youth, public or social impact sectors, and an understanding of the challenges facing girls and young women in the communities BelEve serves.