Role description
External Advisers
Governance & Nominations Committee External Adviser (x1)
The Governance and Nominations Committee is responsible for monitoring the governance arrangements of the Foundation and leads on the recruitment and selection for appointments to the Board and Committees.
The RCNF are seeking excellent understanding and experience of charity governance and appointment to non-executive roles.
Finance & Investments Committee External Adviser (x2)
The Income Generation and Investment Committee is accountable to the Board for the development and delivery of the fundraising, marketing and communications strategy, as well as keeping the investment strategy under regular review and monitoring the performance of the investment manager.
The RCNF are seeking excellent understanding and experience of fundraising, with a particular interest in one or more of the following: digital fundraising, regular giving and institutional donors.
Duties
To provide independent and objective specialist advice to the Committee.
To actively promote good governance and participate in committee discussion providing independent challenge and scrutiny
To support the development and delivery of the work of the RCN Foundation through the Committee.
To ensure that the Committee is aware of best practice.
To take full part in the work of the Committee, including reading papers for each meeting so that effective contributions can be made.
To provide advice and guidance to the RCN Foundation Director and relevant staff members on wider issues within your area of expertise.
To enable the charity to achieve its strategic objectives.
Person specification
An External Adviser should have the following knowledge, skills, experience and qualities:
Knowledge of, and commitment to, the charitable objects, mission and priorities of the Foundation.
An excellent understanding of good governance in charities
Willingness to act in the best interests of the charity and comply with the Nolan Principles of Public Life (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership).
The ability to work well as a member of the team.
An ability to commit the necessary time to be an effective member of the committee.
Sound analytical skills and good judgement.
An energy, passion and drive for the role, and the desire to want to make a real difference to our work and through that, to our beneficiaries.
An understanding of key principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to applying these principles in your role as an External Adviser.
For the Governance and Nominations Committee: excellent understanding and experience of charity governance and appointment to non-executive roles.
For the Income Generation and Investment Committee: excellent understanding and experience of fundraising, with a particular focus on one or more of the following: digital fundraising, regular giving and institutional donors.
Eligibility criteria
You do not need to be an RCN member to apply.
Former employees of the entities within the RCN Group (Royal College of Nursing, RCNi, Hold Co Ltd and the RCN Foundation) are eligible to apply one full year after their employment has ceased.
Former members of the Royal College of Nursing’s Council, Country Boards or Committees are eligible to apply one full year after their tenure has ended.
You are not eligible to apply if you are currently
An employee of one of the entities within the RCN Group (Royal College of Nursing, RCNi, Hold Co Ltd or the RCN Foundation)
A member of the Royal College of Nursing’s Council, Country Boards or Committees
What is involved
External Advisers must have a willingness to commit around 6 to 10 days per year, to
Attend and participate in meetings of the Committee, usually held virtually from 4pm to 6pm. The Governance and Nominations Committee meets three times a year, and the Income Generation and Investment Committee meets four times a year.
Review meeting papers and respond to requests from the Chair.
Attend the Annual External Adviser Event, usually held virtually from 12pm to 2pm.
There is also an opportunity to take part in Foundation events during the year, such as our Annual Impact Awards and Dinner.
Remuneration
The role of an External Adviser is a voluntary position and not accompanied by any financial remuneration. However, reasonable out of pocket expenses such as travel costs or childcare will be reimbursed.
Terms of Office
External Advisers normally serve a minimum term of three years, which can be renewed for a further three-year term. The maximum is a total of three terms.