Board Nomination HR Professional - October 2024

Ulster Wildlife is Northern Ireland's largest local nature conservation charity.

Supported by almost 14,000 members and range of funders, we are working to bring nature back across Northern Ireland, building a wilder future where people and nature are thriving together. We do this by restoring nature on land and at sea, inspiring local people to take action and demonstrating how nature-based solutions can play a central role in addressing climate change.

An independent charity, but part of a federation of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, we play a pivotal role as environmental leaders with an emphasis on nature-based solutions to address the ecological and climate crises.

Ulster Wildlife is currently seeking a HR Management Professional to join the Board of Trustees.

Role Overview

Our Trustees bring a wide range of professional skills, experience and expertise to the charity in areas including finance, conservation and ecology (both terrestrial and marine), farming, youth engagement, media, communications, fundraising, charity governance and business management. With a dedicated and skilled team of over 50 staff members (and growing), it is essential that the Board of Trustees includes an experienced HR Management Professional (current or retired) to bring expertise and insight across strategic human resources management, ensuring an inclusive and collaborative working environment and a well-supported, developed and high performing team.

Why become a Board Member of Ulster Wildlife?

Becoming a Board Member of Ulster Wildlife will offer you an exciting opportunity to directly feed into the strategic direction of Northern Ireland’s largest local nature conservation charity and to support the delivery of our charitable objectives to Bring Nature Back.

As part of the Board you will bring your experience and insights into key areas of good governance, legal compliance, accountability, financial oversight, risk management and strategic planning. There will be an in-depth induction process in order for you to gain a wide understanding of the structures and functioning of the charity.

What will your responsibilities be?

Board Members are responsible for the oversight and long-term strategic direction of Ulster Wildlife, while day-to-day operational decisions and management are delegated to the Chief Executive, who in turn oversees the staff team of Ulster Wildlife.

As a board member you will 

• have ultimate responsibility to ensure the charity is solvent, well run and delivering charitable outcomes for the benefit of nature and public in accordance with Ulster Wildlife’s stated charitable objectives
• ensure the charity complies with charity law and the requirements of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland including producing accounts and reporting
• ensure the charity does not breach its governing document
• comply with requirements of legislation and other regulators governing the activities of the charity such as data protection, fundraising, pensions, taxation, environmental, health and safety, employment, etc
• act with integrity and avoiding personal conflicts of interest. Board Members have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the charity and under the Companies Act 2006, a statutory duty to act in a way in which they consider in good faith would be most likely to achieve the charity’s purposes.

Ulster Wildlife is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland and a company limited by guarantee registered with Companies House. Board Members are therefore also registered as Company Directors.

This is a voluntary position with no payment but out-of-pocket expenses are claimable e.g. travel to meetings.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience and expertise as a HR Management Professional (current or retired).
• We are committed to building and representing an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace for all. To enable us to connect effectively with the communities in which we work we particularly encourage applications from women, people aged 30-50yrs, members of minority ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities. 
• You will need to be a current adult or family member of Ulster Wildlife. If you aren’t a current member you would be required to join as a member if your application was successful, as under the Charity’s Governing Document all Board Members must also be Members of Ulster Wildlife.
• Ability to demonstrate the following:
  • Passion and commitment to Ulster Wildlife and nature conservation
  • Good communications skills
  • Basic IT Skills
  • Good independent judgement
  • Experience of team working
  • Willingness to contribute positively
  • Personal responsibility and accountability

Time commitment and Term of Office

Being a Board Member requires a commitment to attend meetings, to prepare for meetings by reading and analysing circulated papers (papers are provided one week prior to a meeting) and to actively contribute to discussions and decision-making.

• Attendance at four Board meetings and four Committee meetings per year. Meetings typically take place either in person (at Ulster Wildlife’s Offices) or via Zoom on weekday evenings and last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours each.
• One Board Development Day is arranged per year covering strategic planning and relevant training and these take place on a Saturday.
• Board Members attend the AGM which takes place on a Saturday in September / October.
• There may be additional visits arranged to enable Board Members to learn more about key areas of Ulster Wildlife’s work and to see the delivery of strategic outcomes first-hand.
• Additional task-and-finish group attendance may also be required in order to discuss and agree key issues as they arise.
• Board Members stand for an initial term of three years and then can potentially stand for a further two terms of three years each. 

Application Process

Those interested in applying to become a Board Member should complete the below Expression of Interest Form. Your Expression of Interest will be forwarded to our Governance Committee for consideration and you will hear from us in due course.

Expression of Interest Closing Date: Friday 08 November 12 Noon

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity then please contact our HR and Governance Officer Jane Waugh – jane.waugh@ulsterwildlife.org