Volunteer Trustee with HR skills and experience

What will you be doing?

Herts Disability Sports Foundation is where everyone (absolutely everyone!) is empowered to experience the joys of belonging, achieving and physical activity. Through our diverse activities, individuals become functionally fitter, but also develop self-esteem, confidence and life skills as they connect with and belong to a safe community of others like them.  And we have a lot of fun!   HDSF believes that quality of life can be improved through involvement in sports and physical activity opportunities - and that everyone should have access to these benefits.  The Charity exists to provide support, education, training and the opportunity to take part in sporting activities for individuals who struggle to access sport and physical activity - to improve physical health and wellbeing.   We operate in Hertfordshire and are now being recognised across the county as a source of expertise for disability sport and physical activity - from our track record, the skills of our staff and our open commitment to ‘practise what we preach’ on a daily basis.    Following our recent skills audit, the Board would like to appoint a Trustee with Human Resources skills and experience to challenge and support the Board and Senior Management Team.  We plan to expand our services across the county over the coming years and are looking for a Trustee who will share their skills and enthusiasm to support and drive our strategy, as well as broadening the diversity of thinking on our Board.  Above all, our Trustees should be passionate about what HDSF is striving to achieve. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, and welcome applications from anyone interested in supporting our purpose, particularly from those who have lived experience of disability (either personally or through their role as a parent/carer) and/or the sectors of our community which are often under-represented on charity boards. In return, we offer the opportunity to join a diverse and lively Board of Trustees.  We each bring a different set of skills to the Board (which we think is a real positive) and we try to ensure that each Trustee has the opportunity to make a difference to HDSF, using their personal and professional skills, in a way that is both enjoyable and personally rewarding. 

What are we looking for?

The ideal candidate would have;

 Commitment to the vision and aims of HDSF and the willingness to devote the necessary time and effort, The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring their skills and expertise can be shared with the Board, A willingness to contribute fully to Board discussions and work effectively as a team, An ability to challenge in a constructive manner, Strategic planning and analysis skills, Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis, A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership,

A CIPD qualification as well as a number of years’ experience in a generalist role or across a number of HR specialisms. No previous experience of being a Trustee is required.   All new HDSF Trustees are supported through an induction programme and are expected to complete specialist training covering the role and responsibilities of trustees as part of their induction, as well as a programme of ongoing training for all Trustees.  

What difference will you make?

We are a relatively small charity (CIO with 7 permanent staff) working to support adults and children in Hertfordshire to participate in recreational sporting activities, with a focus on those with physical and/or learning disabilities. Our small team of staff and volunteers are essential to our services - providing the quality of service that is a key factor in our success.  Ensuring we provide a high quality HR service (which is also fit for purpose) which motivates and retains our people is a high priority for the Trustees.   In addition to their normal duties as a Trustee, the candidate would provide additional support and guidance to the Senior Management Team on HR matters and use their skills and experience to challenge and encourage innovation. We aim to be open, honest and supportive in our dealings with each other and with staff – balancing the role of critical friend with supporting the Senior Management team.  And we recognise that all Trustees are volunteers – enjoying being a Trustee, feeling confident in your role and being able to make a difference are important to us and, we hope, to you.