***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
The Army Central Fund is the British Army’s own grant making charity supporting serving personnel and their immediate families, disbursing approximately £2.5M per annum. The Fund collaborates closely with the Army and with military and national charities to identify areas of need and to contribute where it can have best effect. The Charity’s main source of income is generated by its capital investments, which currently stand at £70M.
The Secretary post is a permanent, part-time, role (28 hours a week) and is the sole employee of the Charity working directly to the Board. The Secretary is responsible for all aspects of the Fund’s administration and day-to-day management and for advising the Board. Personal recent experience of the Armed Forces is essential; knowledge of the charity sector would be an advantage. Applicants need to be credible working at Chief Executive level. The successful candidate will be committed to improving wellbeing across the whole serving Army community (Regular and Reserve), including those in need.
There is the option of home working or being office-based in Upavon, Wiltshire. Applicants seeking home working will be expected to confirm that they will be able to balance home-working, visits and meetings effectively (IT and essential equipment will be provided). Attendance at up to three Board Meetings per year is essential; these meetings are usually held at Andover, Hampshire or in London. The Secretary will also be expected to visit projects and attend regular meetings throughout the UK. The Fund is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to providing development and training opportunities.
Salary by negotiation in the range £33,000 – £35,000 pa depending on experience (plus pension contribution and other benefits).
We are looking for the new Secretary to be available for a two-week handover in late November 2023 (based at Upavon daily for this period) with the incumbent retiring in early December.
How to apply: Applications should take the form of a letter and CV (each no more than two pages of A4) providing evidence of how you meet the person specification and giving the contact details for two professional referees, and how you know them. Please address the letter to the Chairman, Army Central Fund and send to jobs@armycentralfund.org.uk
Timetable: The deadline for applications is 5pm on 22 September 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview in London during September and any subsequent rounds that might be required.
Job Specification – Main duties
Governance and Secretariat (approximately 30% of annual workload)
- Work in the Charity’s best interests, promote and safeguard its reputation
- Ensure that the charity complies with its governing document and legislation
- Develop strategy, policy and procedures and monitor risk
- Prepare briefing papers, the Annual Report, meeting agendas and record decisions
- Manage office processes and data
- Review the Charity’s performance using external self-assessment processes
- Arrange trustee induction and training
Manage finances and related administration (30%)
- Monitor and report on investments in consultation with Investment Advisor (a trustee)
- Manage income and expenditure and maintain financial controls
- Prepare and manage annual budget, monitor cashflow and financial data
- Support preparation of annual Financial Statement and external audit
- Liaise with and instruct professional advisors (legal, investment management, audit etc.)
- Manage relationship with The Trust Partnership (contracted financial management and support)
Manage grant processes (30%)
- Advise and assist grant applicants
- Assess grant applications and make recommendations to the Board
- Manage grant awards
- Visit, assess and report on projects in progress
- Conduct post award analysis and lessons
Ad Hoc Tasks (5%)
External Relations (5%)
- Represent the Charity at events and meetings and on external committees
- Sustain relationships with the Army, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, SSAFA, Army Sport, Army Families Federation and other military and national charities and organisations
- Develop the Charity’s profile and communications
- Be the point of contact for official and charity bodies (Charity Commission, HMRC, Companies House, Cobseo)
