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Branch Trustee – HR & Employee Relations (North London)

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Overview of the Branch Trustee - HR & Employee Relations

As a HR & Employee Relations expert you would be supporting the branch by helping them maintain and develop staff throughout the organisation. You would play a key role in advising Trustees on the long-term and strategic direction of human resources and contributing towards policy setting.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties but would be expected to be between 2-4 hours per week on average.

The branch will consider applications from candidates from outside the branch area but anyone who resides in North London would be desirable

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch

The Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The branch runs a veterinary clinic, employs an Animal Welfare Officers and operates two charity shops to generate income.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – HR & Employee Relations

  • Advise Trustees on the long-term vision and strategic direction for investment in human resources.
  • Support the Branch grow, maintain, and develop staff throughout the organisation.
  • Contribute to HR policy setting, strategic direction, goal and target setting, and evaluate performance against targets, budgets, plans and charitable objectives.
  • Ensure that HR activities and interventions are linked to the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branches charitable objectives and complement the company culture.
  • Advise on and help improve management of HR.
  • Ensure the Board of Trustees properly remunerates staff, reviewing and rewarding performance and development opportunities.
  • To work with the Branch Manager to review current HR management arrangements and provide guidance on HR strategy and short and long-term direction.
  • Receive progress reports on HR and any recurring staffing issues.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

  • Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
  • Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
  • Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
  • In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
  • Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
  • Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
  • Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
  • In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside Human Resources experience, including a CIPD membership, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – HR & Employee Relations

  • We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
  • Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
  • The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
  • The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
  • A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

  • Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
  • Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
  • Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
  • Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
  • References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to make sure it is the right decision for you, we recommend visiting: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved.

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! For more information and to apply for an application form, please email your CV to Elaine at elaine.crehan@rspcafinchley.org.uk.