Sight Scotland

Convener of the Audit & Risk Committee and Trustee

Headquartered in Edinburgh, however meetings may take place in other locations across Scotland, and occasionally online

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are Scotland's charities that support people who are visually impaired or have sight loss. They provide a range of services including education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology to help people live independently and participate fully in society. Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have a mission to TRANSFORM outcomes for people with sight loss, UNITE partners and communities to support more people and to THRIIVE and care for the people they support and work with. The values and purpose of the organisation are crucial threads in making sure that non-one should face sight loss alone.

For 230 years, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans have been supporting people impacted by vision loss with a substantial reach across Scotland, working for all ages of society.

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans play an important role in continually shifting the conversation around sight loss, and contributing to achieving a fair, equitable society. Their services reflect the times we live in and meet the changing needs of the people they support.

The role

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are on the search for a Convener of their Audit & Risk Committee and Board Member. This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic support to a values-led organisation and to make real-life impact for better outcomes for people with sight loss.

This is a great time to be a Convener of the Audit & Risk Committee and a Board Member for Sight Scotland and Scotland Veterans. The organisation has a new strategy and has recently gone through an exciting internal restructure, where for the first time, services of the two charities will be brought together, bringing opportunities to work together for people with sight loss.

The successful candidate should have:

• Strategic level experience in audit and risk is essential as is experience of chairing senior leadership and/or committee meetings
• Preference for recent experience of a leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or not for profit organisation. However, holding a senior role within other sectors will be considered too.
• Experience of the day-to-day operations of a complex and/or growing organisation.
• Involvement in the strategic planning process for a complex and/or growing organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of the charity sector and the current issues and challenges affecting it.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. With a good understanding of charity governance issues.

Evidence of strategic level experience in one of the following areas is desirable:

• Organisational change, including operational efficiency improvements.
• Corporate and/or charity governance

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, its strategic objectives and mission, and an interest in better outcomes for people with sight loss is essential. 

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans’ welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As younger people and those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from such individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

The successful candidate should be willing to commit the time necessary to the Board. Board meets are held up to six times a year. In addition, the Audit & Risk Committee normally meets three times a year.

If you are interested in making a difference for those with sight loss and have the financial skills and experience to Convene the Audit and Risk Committee of a complex and growing charitable organisation, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, get in touch with Lauryn Pringle or Debbie Shields at Aspen People on (phone number removed).