ApplyAsk a question

Save opportunity

We looking for a new Treasurer to ensure the BFSS investment portfolio generates funds to support our educational grant-giving now and in the future.

What will you be doing?

The British & Foreign School Society (BFSS) is looking for a new Treasurer who cares deeply about the right of children and young people to be able to access high-quality education as a driver for equality of opportunity, personal development and well-being.

Our new Treasurer will ensure the BFSS investment portfolio (~£25 million) generates funds to support our grant-giving now and in the future whilst also supporting climate responsibility and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals relevant to our mission. Ongoing financial planning for the long-term is of equal importance to ensuring that our day-to-day finance processes and investments are well managed.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with experience of both charity investments and charity... finances, and with availability to join the BFSS Board in Autumn 2023 for a handover with our current Treasurer.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcomed.

What are we looking for?

Financial Skills & Experience
• A qualified accountant.
• Experience of monitoring charity investments in terms of performance and in relation to ESGs and SDGs, particularly around climate responsibility.
• Financial experience in the charity sector with an understanding of SORP.
• Experience at board level, ideally in the not-for-profit sector.
• Skills to analyse the accounts of charities applying for grants and their project proposals.
• Exceptional eye for detail to spot any anomalies when reviewing accounts and policies.
• Be able to explain complex financial information in an accessible way.
• Willingness to be available to the Director at short notice and on an ad-hoc basis.

General Skills & Experience
• A strong interest in the BFSS, its purpose and its work.
• A good understanding of UK charity law and the Charity Commission regulations which BFSS must adhere to.
• Understanding and acceptance of the role of a charity Trustee.
• Good analytical ability.
• Integrity, good judgement and independence of mind.
• Capacity for clear, creative and strategic thinking and vision.
• A willingness and ability to be an ambassador for the BFSS and to represent it positively to external audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

What difference will you make?

BFSS is a grant giving charity and we work towards our vision of educational opportunity for all by awarding grants of around £0.8 million per annum to not-for-profit organisations and educational establishments to address educational disadvantage in the UK and internationally.

BFSS was formed in 1808 by Christian social reformers to carry on the work of Joseph Lancaster, a pioneer of school and teacher education. Our regular grants fund international projects which improve access, quality and sustainability of education in marginalised and deprived communities, and UK projects which improve educational outcomes and life chances for Young Carers and Care Experienced Young People. In 2022 we launched a new £1 million Displaced Education Fund to support the education of children and young people who have been displaced by conflict.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, gender equality and protecting the environment by funding projects which remove barriers to education, develop the skills of local people from low-income communities, improve education quality through teacher training, minimise environmental impact and build resilience against future climate changes. Our projects give young people the tools to enable them to transform their own education and life chances as well as those of their families and communities.

In addition to funding grants, we also facilitate shared learning amongst our 150 Members from the not-for-profit and wider educational sector, and our current Grant Partners via regular events, publications and an online Forum. We have a BFSS Archive, now hosted by Brunel University, which offers opportunities to learn from history including Joseph Lancaster’s pioneering work in the UK and American continents and BFSS activities from 1808.

Before you apply

To be considered for this role please submit your CV and a short supporting statement of why you are interested in supporting BFSS through Reach by 18 September 2023.

We anticipate holding interviews with shortlisted candidates between 25 September and 6 October 2023.

Causes
• Education
• International development
• Young people

Organisation type

Charity

We believe in the right of children and young people to education as a driver for personal development, well-being, and equality of opportunity.

We seek to achieve our vision by...

ApplyAsk a question

Save opportunity
United Kingdom

Salary Criteria