Board Member with Legal Expertise

The Organisation:

Founded in 1960, Irish Wheelchair Association is one of Ireland’s leading representative organisations and service providers for people with physical disabilities. We were founded on the belief that everyone should be able to live a life of choice and equality.

We provide a nationwide assisted living service, community centres in every county, a fleet of accessible buses, a national parking permit and driving school service, wheelchair accessible social houses and help young people with disabilities to build employability skills and confidence.  Irish Wheelchair Association - Ireland’s leading organisation for people with physical disabilities.

Vision:           

Irish Wheelchair Association has a vision of an Ireland where people with disabilities enjoy equal rights, choices and opportunities in how they live their lives, and where our country is a model worldwide for a truly inclusive society.

Mission:         

Irish Wheelchair Association works with, and on behalf of, people with physical disabilities to drive positive change in Ireland through the influencing of public policy, the provision of quality services and enabling accessibility to all aspects of society.

Values:           

People are at the heart of everything that we do and this is enshrined in all of our values: Courage, Equality, Integrity, Excellence, Fun, Openness, Visionary.

Board of Directors:     Board of Directors - Irish Wheelchair Association (iwa.ie)

Executive:                   Senior Management Team - Irish Wheelchair Association (iwa.ie)

The Role:

Irish Wheelchair Association is seeking a new Trustee with legal expertise to join the board.  The person will support and strengthen the organisation’s governance and legal compliance.

Key Responsibilities 

·        Provide strategic legal insight to the board, ensuring that decision-making aligns with Irish Wheelchair Association’s governing documents, legal obligations, and best practice in governance. 

·        Support the board in upholding high standards of governance, including compliance with the Charities Act, the Charities Governance Code, and the Companies Act 2014. 

·        Provide guidance on best practice in legal and regulatory compliance, including areas such as risk management, fiduciary responsibilities, managing conflicts of interest, contracts, and constitutional updates.

·        Assist in reviewing and interpreting policies and procedures to ensure they are legally sound and in line with regulatory standards. 

·        Be available to board members and senior leadership on an ad hoc basis to provide legal guidance as needed. 

Skills and Experience: 

·        Experienced solicitor or barrister.

·        Corporate governance training would be an asset. 

·        Knowledge of company law, and a strong understanding of the Charities Governance Code would be highly desirable. 

·        Company secretarial experience would be an asset.

·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

·        A strong commitment to the mission and values of Irish Wheelchair Association.

·        Lived experience within the disability sector would be an advantage.

·        Capacity to engage proactively in board matters. 

 General Duties of a Charity Trustee

·       Comply with the charity’s governing document

·       Ensure that 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

·       Input to the strategic direction, contributing with insight, oversight, and experience of strategy formulation in other sectors.

Board Meetings and Time Commitment:

There are 7 board meetings a year, 4 in-person in Clontarf and 3 online. There is no hybrid option outside of exceptional extenuating circumstances. Board meetings take place on Thursdays between 5.00 pm to 7.30/8.00 pm.

The expectation is that each board member serves on one committee.

Board committees meet separately and have their own schedule.  They last up to two hours.  For example, the Audit, Finance & Risk Committee meets both online and in person 5 to 6 times a year on Thursdays between 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm.  The other committees tend to meet mostly online.

Additional Time Commitment:

·       One Board/SMT strategy session in advance of the April board meeting (half day commitment in total).

·       One Board visit a year – these are designed around the board member, commitment varies from 2-4 hours.

·       Options to do site visits in various locations around the country.

·       Board Training – number of short mandatory trainings required by HSE, all self directed online. At least one board training a year, again, self-directed, either online or in-person, tailored to individual board member needs.