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We now wish to further enhance the strength and diversity of our Board and are seeking enthusiastic, community-minded people from all walks of life.  While you don’t need to have previous board-level experience, we do require people who can support our team in delivering our ambitious business plan.  In particular, we would like to hear from people who have, or have held, positions in finance, social housing or in a charitable or third sector organisation.

Although the role of Board member is unpaid it is highly rewarding. You will benefit from support, development and a sense of real pride and satisfaction from providing quality homes for people who need them. And while we don’t offer remuneration, we pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

If you think you would be interested in becoming a Board member at Grampian please keep reading:

What is the Role of a Board member?

The Grampian Board comprises up to 15 individuals who together are ultimately responsible for the work of the Association. The Board’s role is to provide leadership and strategic direction for the Association and to ensure that the Association complies with its statutory and regulatory requirements. The operational management of the Association is delegated to staff, within a framework of controls established by the Board.

Board members are also ambassadors, acting in the best interests of the Association at all times.

What is the board responsible for and what decisions does it take?

In relation to its strategic and leadership function, the core responsibilities of the Board are to:

  • safeguard the Association’s central purpose, its values and its culture
  • establish Grampian’s strategic direction and business objectives, review regularly and adjust as required; disseminate and ensure compliance with the values of the Association
  • develop and maintain an understanding of the operating environment of the Association, and take this into account in assessing Grampian’s strategy
  • establish a framework for the development, approval and review of policies and plans to achieve the Association’s business objectives
  • ensure that the Association is adequately resourced to meet its business objectives
  • build and maintain strategic links with external bodies; decide on and keep under review formal partnerships and alliances with other organisations
  • foster effective relationships with senior staff to enable them to discharge their strategic and leadership duties.

In relation to its control and compliance function, the core responsibilities of the Board are to:

  • oversee a framework for delegation to office bearers, to committees and to staff
  • establish and regularly review systems of internal and external control
  • establish and oversee a framework for the identification and management of risk
  • ensure the solvency of the Association, approve the annual budget, and approve the annual accounts prior to publication
  • monitor and assess the Association’s performance against plans, budgets, controls and targets
  • establish and oversee a framework for the employment of staff
  • appoint, support, and scrutinise the performance of the Chief Executive, and determine his/her remuneration
  • ensure that the Association meets all its statutory obligations and acts in accordance with regulatory expectations and accepted good practice standards
  • ensure that the Association’s activities are consistent with its constitution and corporate control documents
  • assess periodically the Board’s own effectiveness including how well it follows its Code of Conduct.

In both sets of responsibilities, the Board is informed, advised and supported by the staff group.

Examples of the type of tasks that are completed by Board members include the following –

The Board is responsible for the following approvals:

  • Direction of the Organisation
  • Business plans
  • Annual Budget
  • 30 and 5 year financial plan
  • Land sales and Acquisitions
  • Major Projects
  • Major changes in staffing structures
  • Changes in management team structures
  • New house building developments
  • New development projects of any kind
  • Business plans of subsidiary
  • Policies of the association
  • Adding to risk register
  • Changes to Brand
  • Treasury management

And reviewing and noting:

  • Management Accounts
  • Key Performance Indicators
  • Risk Register
  • Briefings on Scottish Housing Regulator, local authority activity and practice, Scottish and UK government legislation and guidance
  • Receiving any inspection reports from regulator
  • Keeping updated on new ideas and opportunities and giving guidance on whether they are of interest to the association to pursue.

What does being a Board member involve?

To be effective each Board member must have:

  • a commitment to the Association
  • the ability to see the big picture and to contribute to strategy development/long term planning
  • sound, independent judgement
  • the ability to analyse information and reach decisions
  • a willingness to question, make constructive suggestions and to express themselves succinctly
  • the ability to work as part of a team
  • a willingness to learn
  • adhere to our organisation values of Honesty | Integrity | Respect | Empathy | Commitment | Trust

Members of the Board need to understand and act in accordance with their legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities. Full details will be provided as part of the induction of new members.

Board members must commit the time necessary to prepare for and attend up to 11 Board meetings a year plus the annual Board Away Day off-site event. In addition there are training events and conferences that members are asked to attend. As a guide, members should expect to spend around fifteen days preparing for and attending Board meetings, sub-committees and the annual Away Day and between two and three days on training and conferences. Members are encouraged to work with at least one of our committees where some more detailed tasks can be reviewed in more depth. Generally each committee will meet around four times per year.

How will we support you?

Grampian is committed to ensuring that members receive support and assistance to carry out their responsibilities, and to make their role a rewarding and satisfying one.

In return for their commitment and time, the Association provides Board members with a warm welcome, a comprehensive induction, and clear guidance, information and advice on their responsibilities and on the work of Grampian throughout their time on the Board.

New members are supported by a more experienced member as a mentor for a period while they settle in and for as long as this is a benefit to them. They work together in a stimulating and mutually supportive environment and have the opportunity to network with others with shared commitment and ideals.

Who will you be working with?

As a Board member you'll be working closely with the other on the Board and our leadership team.  Follow these links to find our more about our current Board members and members of our leadership team. You can also explore this website to find out more about us and the area where we provide homes and services.

Current members of our Board

Current members of our senior management team

A message from our Chair

Thank you for your interest in joining the Grampian Board, steering us towards our vision and values and helping us to stay focused on our exciting ambition of being better, cheaper and quicker whilst continuing to put our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Our focus is not just giving people a home, it’s building communities and giving support to help people maintain their tenancy, assisting vulnerable people in their homes.  Grampian is on an exciting journey of transformation to deliver a service fit for the 21st Century

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our company secretary malcolm.mcneil@grampianhousing.co.uk

I look forward to receiving your application and hopefully meeting you during the selection process.

Abhishek Agarwal
Chair

How do I apply to become a Board member?

If you are interested in becoming a Board member please download and complete the application form below.  Then return your completed form to the address below along with a copy of your CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4 please) explaining why you wish to be considered for this role and addressing the following questions:

  1. What motivates you to join the Board?
  2. What are the key skills and knowledge you feel you can bring to the Board?
  3. At time of application is there anything which would reasonably prevent you from being a member of the Board for at least a three year term?
  4. What in your view are the main differences between the roles of Board member and staff member?

What happens next?

Your application will be shared with the Chair and Chief Executive and a meeting arranged with them and the Secretary.  This is an opportunity to explore your application in more detail and also for you to find out more.  After this and by agreement, you will be invited to observe a meeting of the Board and to meet other members.

The Secretary, Grampian Housing Association, Huntly House, 74 Huntly Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TD

You can also e-mail your completed form, CV and covering letter to malcolm.mcneil@grampianhousing.co.uk

For further details and an application form please download the following documents:-

PDF IconDownload the Person Specification

Word IconDownload the Application Form

Word IconDownload the Statement of Responsibilities

PDF IconDownload the Code of Conduct

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