Board Member with Company Secretarial Experience

The Organisation:

North & East Housing Association is an Approved Housing Body (AHB) incorporated in 1993 by a group of volunteers who recognised that the housing needs of communities in the North and East of Ireland were not being adequately met by the private market and local authority housing schemes. Since then, North & East has grown from a small voluntary organisation into an established housing body. We provide housing management and tenant support systems to projects in twenty-six locations across eleven local authority jurisdictions.

During this period of expansion, North & East has retained a focus on communities in the northern and eastern regions and maintained its commitment to keeping tenants at the heart of its work. North & East is primarily a general needs AHB but it also provides housing services with partners that focus on housing for people with specific needs.

The 2025 to 2028 strategic plan focuses on five strategic goals that reflect their vision, purpose, and values. These goals include enhancing engagement and services to tenants, delivering more homes to meet growing housing needs, strengthening governance, enhancing operational capacity and staff development, and building engagement and cooperation with stakeholders.

For further information: North & East Housing Association Ireland

Strategic Plan: NEHA Strategic Plan 2025—2028

Our board: Our People

The Role:

North & East Housing Association is seeking a new board member with company secretarial experience to join its board. 

Responsibilities will include the following:

•        Inputting to the strategic direction, contributing with insight, oversight and experience.

•        Responsibility to ensure that the company complies with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.

•        Ensure that board members are aware of and comply with relevant codes of conduct and the Charities Governance code.

•        Oversee that administrative duties are undertaken in a timely fashion, such as taking agenda items and preparation and circulation of the agenda and any other papers.

•        Follow up on decisions taken at meetings in consultation with the Chairperson.

•        Ensure the taking of minutes at board meetings and ensure that these are kept in a Minutes’ Book and circulated to other members of the board as soon as possible after each meeting.  Minute taking will be undertaken by the executive.

•        Ensure membership records are up to date. 

Skills and Experience Required:

•        Previous experience as a Company Secretary, preferably with a charity/not for profit in Ireland.   However, applications would be considered from people who have held a financial position within an organisation and are familiar with the role and responsibilities of the Company Secretary.  (Training would be offered in this case.)

•        Strong communication skills: ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, including the CEO, Chair, and fellow board members.

•        Alignment with the organisations Mission, Vision and Values.

•        The candidate must be able to dedicate sufficient time to the role.

•        A strong understanding of, and commitment to, ensuring the charity’s operations adhere to governance standards, such as the Charities Regulator's Governance Code, CRO, and internal controls, is essential.

•        Financial acumen would be welcomed.  If someone has held a senior finance role in a company but has not held the role of Company Secretary, their application is welcome and, as mentioned, training will be offered if necessary.

General Trustee duties of a Charity Trustee

•        Comply with the charity’s governing document

•        Ensure the charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit • Act in the best interest of the charity

•        Act with reasonable care and skill

•        Manage the assets of your charity

Board Meetings:

The board meets 6 times a year on a Monday at 5.30 pm, for two hours. Meetings take place in person at a Dublin city centre location.  (Occasional one-item board meetings can be done online).

Committee Meetings:

All board members are required to join at least one of the three committees. Committees meet three or four times a year online, and typically last for 1 to 1.5 hours.

Additional Board Commitments: 

•        Annual attendance at the board away day, usually Friday into Saturday.

•        Occasional attendance at conferences/openings (optional) or board recruitment interviews.  

•        Training and CPD is required attendance.