Role description

• Act in partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure that NCH has a clear vision and a resolute strategic direction in line with its core values and principles.
  
  
• Liaise with the Council and the Chief Executive to guarantee effective transparency and accountability to donors and all stakeholders.
  
  
• Contribute actively to the Council's role in setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
  
  
• Sustain the close partnership between NCH and the Methodist Church both nationally and locally.
  
  
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive and Council, encourage, represent and promote NCH through visits to the regions and projects, in public meetings and functions, and with the government and media.
  
  
• Safeguard the good name and values of NCH.

• Ensure that NCH has an effective corporate governance structure that is appropriate to its size, complexity, stage of development, and its charitable objects.
  
  
• Ensure that the Council has a membership with the skills required to govern the charity effectively and that Trustees have access to relevant external professional advice and expertise.
  
  
• Ensure with the Chief Executive that all relevant issues requiring the attention of Trustees are brought to the Council.
  
  
• Support the Chief Executive in achieving the aims of NCH and act as a channel of communication between Council and staff.
  
  
• Ensure that the Chief Executive reports regularly to Council on progress towards the strategic objectives, business plans and annual targets.
  
  
• Work closely with the Vice-Chair and Treasurer and consult with them on key issues of governance.
  
  
• Ensure NCH's compliance with all relevant charity and company law as well as any other statutory and regulatory requirements.
  
  
• Ensure there is a systematic, open and fair procedure for the recruitment and co-option of Trustees, future Chairs of Council and future Chief Executives (with a view to succession).
  
  
• Ensure that trustees have a code of practice and compliance with it.
  
  
• Ensure that any conflicts of interest of Trustees are known and managed.
  
  
• Together with the trustees, oversee the efficient administration of the organisation and the proper investment of the charity's funds.
  
  
• Ensure NCH's financial stability through a credible financial management system together with a business plan and annual budgets to implement the strategic plan with probity.
  
  
• Ensure that NCH's financial dealings are systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available.
  
  
• Ensure that NCH takes a robust and appropriate approach to risk management.
  
  
• Ensure that robust and objective systems are in place for staff recruitment and management.
  
  
• Ensure that the charity is compliant with equality and diversity anti-discrimination and disability legislation.
  
  
• Hold regular one-to-one meetings with the Chief Executive and lead the process of appraising their performance ensuring that this is reviewed annually.
  
  
• Be responsible for charging Committees with work from the strategic plan and develop in partnership with the Chief Executive an annual programme of Council meetings and awaydays, ensuring that relevant agendas and papers are prepared in advance for Trustees.
  
  
• Protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure the proper investment of the charity's funds.
  
  
• Chair meetings of the Council and other committees as designated, in particular the Nominations Committee.
  
  
• Sit on other appointment / recruitment panels when appropriate.
  
  
• Monitor the implementation of decisions taken by Council.
  
  
• Ensure that all members of Council receive appropriate induction, advice, support, information and training (both individual and collective), set their objectives and review their performance annually.