Board Member with Legal Experience

The Role:

Safetynet Primary Care is seeking new board members including someone with legal expertise.  The ideal candidate will be passionate about the charity’s values and work. 

Key Responsibilities of a Legal Charity Trustee include the following:

• Uphold the organisation’s integrity.
• Advocate for and communicate the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• Input to the strategic direction, contributing with insight, oversight, and experience of strategy formulation.
• Bring legal experience and insight to bear, assisting the board to understand legal aspects of the organisation and pertaining to best practice. 
• Assist with the creation of strategic plans which will comply with current legislation and practice.
• Promote exemplary governance among trustees.

Skills and Experience Required:

• A qualified solicitor or barrister, with at least three years' experience.
• Commitment to Vision, Mission and Values.
• Previous board experience would be an advantage, but not essential.
• Leadership and strategic vision.
• Governance and regulatory compliance expertise desirable.   

Charities Regulator’s General 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 the charity.

Board Meetings:

A board and committee meeting schedule is provided annually with adequate notice for those attending.  

The board meets approximately four times a year. 

All board meetings are normally held in person in Safetynet Primary Care Head Office in Dublin 1 at 18:00 for a duration of c.2 hours.  Board members have the option to join online, however, in person attendance is preferred where possible.

Committee Meetings:

All trustees are encouraged to join at least one committee, particularly in an area of expertise identified in the board skills audit.  There are currently five committees which convene online, usually holding four meetings per year depending on the committee. Committee meetings last for c.1 hour.  The current committees are:

• Finance & Audit Committee Sub Committee
• Clinical Governance Sub Committee
• HR Sub Committee
• Quality Standards & Research Sub Committee
• Fast Track Sub Committee (ad hoc)

Overall, it is anticipated that a board member will spend approximately 6 days per year on work for Safetynet This will include attendance at board meetings, board subcommittee meetings, the AGM, and potentially one annual board/service away day a year. Included are the consideration all relevant papers prior to each meeting

Based on annual board skills audit members will also be expected to undertake training in matters relating to their role as a director and charity trustee.