Ordinary Director (Safeguarding) - Voluntary Position

Posted: 15 April 2024

Background

Scottish Rowing is seeking an individual with experience of safeguarding and welfare, to join its Board of Directors as an Ordinary Director (voluntary) with a specific remit for Director of Welfare and Protection.

As the Governing Body for the sport in Scotland, Scottish Rowing has people – participants, coaches and volunteers - as a key component of its strategic plan. Our vision is a thriving and welcoming rowing community and we want to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all who wish to be involved.

The role of Director (Safeguarding and Welfare) is critical to helping Scottish Rowing work with the rowing community and clubs to create an environment where everyone understands what is needed and people feel safe and empowered to speak up if there are areas of concern and know that they will be listened to and action will be taken.

The Board meets up to eight times each year including the AGM and planning days.  The successful candidate should also expect to commit up to 2-3 hours per month.

The post is non-remunerated although travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed according to Scottish Rowing’s policies and procedures.

The term of office for this post is two years.

If you would like to help drive change and feel you could make a valuable and meaningful contribution to the Board by leading and influencing them in shaping their strategy to include a coherent provision for safeguarding and welfare, then you are exactly the person we are looking for.

We are looking forward to receiving applications from people who would like to support the growth of rowing in Scotland.

At the heart of recruitment for this position is finding the right person.  If you are unsure if your experience fits, then please get in touch. We would be delighted to speak to you.

Responsibilities of all Board Directors

• Understand and be committed to the aims and objectives of the organisation.
• Responsible for developing the Scottish Rowing Strategy and setting the strategic objectives for the organisation.

• Act at all times in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ensure that the organisation acts at all times in line with its constitution and all other legal or funders requirements.
• Be aware of and comply with the legal requirements of the duties of a Director as set out by the Companies Act 2016
• Work with other Board members to ensure the Board is an effective body acting in the interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries.
• Attend meetings on a regular basis and read all the papers, contribute to the discussions and make decisions.
• Ensure that all the information and reports needed to make sound decisions are received and that these are read and understood.
• Take advice from other sources including legal and financial advice where this is necessary and where the Board does not have the required expertise.
• Keep informed on issues which affect the organisation and to promote the organisation externally.
• Comply with and promote the organisation’s policies
• Declare any conflicts of interest as soon as they are known.

Responsibilities Specific to the Role

 The Director will: 

• Provide leadership and expertise within the area of safeguarding, welfare and child protection.
• Support the Board in managing the risk related to wellbeing and protection in the sport.
• Champion safeguarding and child protection issues within the Board ensuring that Scottish Rowing maintains the highest levels of active engagement and best practice.
• Assist the Board in monitoring the work of the Safeguarding Lead Officer
• Attend Board meetings as the Safeguarding and Welfare representative and be prepared by reading relevant papers and policy documents that require discussion or a decision.
• Chair meetings to review Scottish Rowing’s Safeguarding Action Plan.
• Assist with formation of case management panel to appropriately manage safeguarding cases
• Attend relevant meetings as and when they are required with sportscotland, Children1st and other relevant agencies.

 Person specification

Essential

• Ability to represent Scottish Rowing with external organisations and partners
• Ability to build and maintain strong, transparent relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to support, challenge and manage relationships with other Board Members.

Desirable

• A proven track record of working with safeguarding and child/adult protection policies and procedures is desirable
• Experience as a director, trustee or committee member in a commercial, voluntary or public sector context
• Knowledge and experience in a rowing, or a sports environment
• Experience of operating at a senior level in a strategic capacity

Application Information

Scottish Rowing is committed to selecting staff solely based on their ability to do the job for which they are being recruited and welcomes application from all sections of the community.

Download Application Form

Completed applications should be emailed to office@scottish-rowing.org.uk

For an informal discussion please contact alistair.neill@scottish-rowing.org.uk

Please note:

This vacancy is not open to anyone who has been disqualified from holding a Directorship in a Limited Company.

Applications for this position close at 11:59pm on Monday 13th May 2024. We reserve the right to close applications early.