ARASA Call for Applications for two Trustee Positions for Finance and Human Resources

Please note that these are voluntary roles and ARASA seeks candidates that can join its Board from the 1st of April 2024.

Background

The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) seeks to appoint competent, committed and dynamic individuals to assume the roles of Trustees. The positions are based remotely, with limited travel across the region.

Established in 2003, ARASA is a regional organisation with a partnership of over 100 non-governmental organisations working together to promote a human rights-based response to HIV and TB in 18 countries in East and Southern Africa (ESA) through capacity strengthening, advocacy and research and learning. The Regional Office of ARASA is located in Windhoek, Namibia.

Organisational Profile

ARASA has a new strategy (2023-2028) which is the road map for its Increased Capacity, Coordination, and Accountability for Equality, #ICCA4EQUALITY work. ARASA envisions a healthy and just ESA where Every Body Counts. The mission is to be a leading convener, space creator, advocate, and contributor for the establishment of a socio-political and regulatory frameworks that contribute towards reduced HIV and TB infections, SRHR and equality.

Guided by the PANEL Principle (Participation, Accountability, Non-discrimination and equality, Empowerment, and Legality), ARASA’s core values are -Transparency and Accountability, Integrity and Dependability, Zero tolerance for corruption; and Justice and Tolerance.

ARASA’s strategic direction is based on the following principles: meaningful and measurable involvement of civil society; empowered citizens and responsive governments; human rights approach, especially working with people living with HIV and populations most at risk of HIV infection; equity and gender equality; provision of evidence of change and technical knowledge; and; based on the principle of non-discrimination and based on inclusivity. The following roles will be filled in an ongoing process.

Roles and Mandates of ARASA Trustees

ARASA Trustees are the source of governance and accountability. They provide appropriate oversight and ensure the organization is consistently moving towards its mission. The Trustees have legally mandated fiduciary duties which are obedience, care, and loyalty.

• Duty of Obedience: The Trustees ensure the organization is obedient to its central purposes as described in its articles of incorporation and mission.

• Duty of Care: The Trustees are expected to be knowledgeable of all reasonably available information before taking action, act with prudence and care appropriate under the circumstances.

• Duty of Loyalty: The Trustees discharge duties unselfishly, to the benefit of ARASA, and disclose potential conflicts of interest.

  Member to the Board of Trustees (1) with expertise in Finance

  Role Description

  Why expertise in finance ?

  The Board of Trustee member will guide the Board and Executive Team to account for the organisation’s finances, providing inclusive financial leadership to the Board of Trustees and particularly the Finance Committee members. The Trustee member will also support and work closely with the Finance Manager alongside the Director on finance matters of the Trust in line with governance manual and the ARASA Code of conduct . Where appropriate and with approval from Board of Trustees s/he/they will also support the Director and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the management of the organisation to achieve to achieve the mission and vision of the organisation .

  Roles of Board of Trustee member(s)

• The Trustee member will also provide strategic guidance for (alongside other Trustees)

• Advising on the ARASA’s strategic direction and financial stability working closely with other members of the board of Trustees

• Maintain confidentiality, abiding by the Trust’s code of conduct and disclosing any conflicts of interest.

• Attend Committee, as well as meetings of the Board , along with other ad-hoc meetings/events. Budget Review and Approval

• An organization’s management is responsible for creating an annual budget, which lays out the organization’s projected income and expenses for the upcoming year and serves as a framework for program management and overall administrative decisions. The Trustee member along with other Trustees, will review the budgets and guide board board for approval.

  Essential

• At least 10 and above with years relevant experience as a board member, preferably with International/regional NGOs, with thorough understanding of governance roles.

• Good financial management skills with knowledge of computer Accounting Packages and good understanding of major donors financial requirements, conditions and Government budgets and tax policies.

• Knowledge in auditing and accounting is crucial

• Prior experience working with implementing partners including donors

• Demonstrate experience in conducting finance roles at governance level

• Ability to maintain personal professional competencies on financial issues.

• Strategic management and people management skills.

• Strong negotiation, diplomacy and Confidentiality

• Good Policy Development and analytical skills.

  Qualifications

• A degree in finance. Master in Accounting and Finance or relevant professional course will be of additional advantage

  The Board of Trustee Member (1) with experience in Human Resource

  Why expertise in Human Resource

  HR experts bring vital insights into talent acquisition in the organisaion. The value of top-tier talent in driving organizational success can’t be overstated, and HR experts will bring vital insights into talent acquisition, retention and development strategies.

  Role description for Trustee

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, Trust law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

• To contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• To appoint the Director and monitor his/her/their performance.

• Providing strategic direction by approving and periodically reviewing the strategic plan;

• Approving the annual budget proposed by management, approving the annual business plan and monitoring financial performance and solvency;

• Monitoring organisational performance and the achievement of strategic goals and objectives;

• Initiate, review and approve all organization policy documents, budgets, audit reports, workplans. Annual reports and other related governance documents

• Setting the Board’s risk appetite, ensuring risks are identified and appropriate control;

• In addition to the above statutory duties, the Trustee will use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to support the board of trustees human resource related issues including but not limited to;

• 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.

• Provide strategic direction on HR activities and interventions linked to ARASA’s objectives and complement the organisational culture.

• Advise on and help improve management of ARASA’s Human Resource

  Experience and Skills

• At least 10 years and above with relevant experience as a board member, preferably with International/regional NGOs, with thorough understanding of governance roles.

• A substantial background as a senior HR professional, with proven track record of success at an operational and strategic level.

• An understanding of the regional charity sector, good governance, relevant legislations and statutory requirements.

• A thorough understanding of HR policy and practice at regional and international level

• Experience of performance management, HR/employment law issues with a global and regional context

• An interest in the work of ARASA.

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

• Commitment to ARASA’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.

• Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the ARASA’s objects and aims.

• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.

• Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.

  Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree and or a relevant Masters is a requirement. Other certified professional qualifications will be of an added advantage

  Equal Opportunities

• We are a community that welcomes diversity in all forms and encourage applications from anyone who’s passionate about ARASA work. The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the ARASA Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.