Job Description

£36,637 - £41,330 pro rata pa + generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme and group life assurance

21 hours per week, permanent position

Based Finsbury Park, London N7

Since 1985 Freedom from Torture has been the only UK human rights organisation dedicated to treating and supporting torture survivors who seek refuge in the UK. We do this primarily through psychological therapies but also services which document torture forensically, practical legal and welfare support and creative groups.

Thanks to the dedication of our staff and volunteers – as well as scores of passionate supporters and funders – thousands of torture survivors have been able to rebuild their lives in incredibly difficult circumstances.

Freedom from Torture is a growing organisation and as we continue to further develop our vital service, this key role will help us to achieve our aspirational objectives.

The purpose of this role is to act as the main point of contact and be responsible to the Senior Management Team and Trustees for the day-to-day governance of the charity. You will report on all organisational procedures and developments and provide personal assistance to the Chair of Trustees. The role involves compliance with legal and statutory requirements and contract management, ensuring that the charity complies with current financial and legal standards as well as maintaining high standards of corporate governance.

This a pivotal role offering a range of duties and responsibilities which primarily include:

• Corporate Governance – offering governance on matters of law, convening Board, Committees and AGMs, advising of conflicts of interest, following up actions, drafting resolutions, implementing procedural systems, ensuring any deriving decisions are communicated to relevant stakeholders, overseeing policies and maintaining statutory books.

• Legal – advising on requirements of relevant laws and monitoring current legislation for company law, charity law, data protection, intellectual property, health & safety, property and contract law. Monitoring changes in legislation, liaising with regulators and advisers, lawyers, auditors and the Charity Commission.

• Insurance – managing the appointment of insurance brokers, ensuring adequate insurance cover, maintaining awareness of developments in the insurance market, managing all claims arising from the Charity’s activities in liaison with the CEO and Chair.

• Property – ensuring all leasehold requirements are complied with, along with relevant property taxes and where licences required are obtained, managed and renewed.

The ideal candidate for this role will have the following experience and skills:

• Sound understanding of corporate governance issues

• Degree in Law, Finance or Business or commensurate experience

• Full or partial ICSA qualification desirable

• Working as a company or charitable Board Secretary in the voluntary sector desirable

• Basic legal literacy and the ability to decipher and provide clarity on simple legal documents.

In addition to the above, personal attributes include a diplomatic approach and the confidence to provide support to senior level staff as well as institute diplomacy and integrity when handling confidential information. Meticulous attention to detail complemented by sound numeracy, analytical and problem-solving skills will be key. An effective organiser with good prioritising and time management skills, you will be a natural relationship builder with the ability to work with people at all levels. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are also essential qualities for this position.

Do you possess the essential qualities, experience and skills for this important role? For an informal discussion, please contact Susan Munroe, at our London Centre.
 To view the Job Description and Person Specification and to apply online, please click on apply on website.

This position offers a flexible working arrangement so if you are keen to be considered, please state your preferred hours of work within your covering letter.

In the covering letter, please specify how you meet the person specification for the role.

Closing date:  26th July 2017 at 5 pm


Expected date of interviews: 29th August 2017   


We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.


Freedom from Torture is striving to be an equal opportunities employer

No agencies please