Independent Co-Opted Member (Audit and Risk Management Committee)

Independent Co-Opted Member (Audit and Risk Management Committee)
Department: Board of Governors

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Graig Campus

DescriptionWould you like to Make a real difference to the lives of young people in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion by helping and advising Coleg Sir Gâr/Coleg Ceredigion by attending four meetings per year?

The Board of Governors are seeking to appoint several new independent members, and co-opted members to the Audit and Risk Management Sub-Committee of the Board.

We particularly welcome applications from those with a professional background in accountancy and audit in addition to other key areas listed in the person specification.

The College is committed to improving the diversity of the Board and Committees and to achieving membership that reflects the profile of the College and its learners. We welcome applications from candidates of all ages and backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from ethnic backgrounds. We welcome diverse perspectives and are keen to develop the diversity of the board.

Further information about the College, the role of an independent Board member and the application process is available on our website.

Equality monitoring information is also collected through this process.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Damion Gee, Company Secretary and Clerk to the Board at governance@colegsirgar.ac.uk.

Key ResponsibilitiesColeg Sir Gar, and its subsidiary Coleg Ceredigion, are governed by the Coleg Sir Gar
Board of Directors together with a smaller Coleg Ceredigion Board and a number of Board
committees, including an Audit & Risk Management Committee.

The committee is seeking to have a minimum of 5 members of which 3 are Board members,
including the Committee Chair, and 2 are co-opted external members. The Committee oversees, on behalf of the Boards, all strategic matters relating to Audit and Risk Management in connection with both Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion. The role of external members is felt to be critical in bringing a wider perspective to the committee from beyond the further education sector.

The key responsibilities of co-opted external members are to:

• Prepare for committee meetings by reading and assessing meeting papers including external and internal audit reports and risk register and reports.
• Regularly attend and participate in committee meetings (up to four times a year usually lasting around 2 hours).
• Contribute to the discussions and decision-making that take place during meetings from a general point of view as someone who has knowledge and experience relevant to the work of the committee.
• Adhere to the committee's Terms of Reference and the College's Code of Conduct, including policy on confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
• Liaise with the committee chair, the Clerk to the Board, and relevant college officers regarding the work of the committee and any associated administrative matters.
• Be willing to undertake/attend appropriate training, development and support activities offered by the college related to the work of the committee.

Person SpecificationIf you apply to become an independent co-opted member, your application will be assessed
against the criteria listed below.

Desirable skills
The successful candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• a track record of operating either at a senior level within an organisation or be operating in the middle tier and actively aiming to further develop their career
• an understanding of the role of an Audit and Risk Committee
• an accountancy qualification would be advantageous (for 1 of the 2 available roles) with more general business experience being desirable for the other role
• Welsh language skills are not essential for this role but applications from those with such skills are welcomed
• the ability to constructively debate and challenge
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• awareness of issues affecting further education colleges
• experience of either finance and/or audit and/or risk management.

Persons are welcome to apply for posts in Welsh and applications made in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

Time commitment and remunerationIndependent members are normally appointed for a four-year term which is renewable for a
further four years. The time commitment involved will vary, but it is estimated to be approximately 8 - 10 days per year to attend and prepare for meetings and to attend other events.