Lay Trustee

Do you have a passion for protecting the public from misinformation and poor practice?

Would you like to use your knowledge and experience to help protect the public and support high standards of professional practice?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for exceptional individuals with the passion and drive to work alongside Trustee colleagues and provide strategic oversight, governance and leadership to drive the professional regulation for nutritionists in the UK and beyond.

We are looking for three lay members to join our Council and work with our highly committed staff team to support us in achieving our vision of everyone being empowered to improve health and wellbeing through nutrition grounded in science.

We offer Trustees valuable experience in working with a small, well-run organisation, and exposure to all aspects of strategic planning, governance and financial management at Board level.

About Us

The Association for Nutrition is the independent, voluntary regulator for registered Nutritionists in the UK.

In 2020 we began working to a new strategic plan designed to pursue the achievement of our vision through high standards for education, training and practice, increased recognition for our register and the value of the nutrition profession, and support for our registrants to be effective in their roles through clear guidance, CPD framework and robust regulation.

We are a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, governed by a Council, who are the Trustees and Directors of the Association.

About the role

Lay members bring an independent viewpoint and scrutiny, which we believe is vital for good governance.

We are seeking to recruit lay Trustees who can bring their experience and knowledge to our decision making processes and support the shaping of our strategic direction and activities.

Previous experience as a Trustee is not essential, although experience at board/management level would be beneficial and training will be provided.

We particularly welcome applications from people with characteristics which may be underrepresented in leadership and trustee positions.

Duration of Term

• Trustees may serve a term of 3-years and are eligible for re-appointment up to a maximum of 2 terms.

Remuneration

• Trustees are honorary roles which, in accordance with Charity Commission rules, are Although reasonable expenses for travel may be claimed if in-person meetings are required.

Time Commitment

• Attendance at 3 Council meetings per annum plus reading and preparation for meetings, which equates to approximately six days per annum.
• We hold some meetings via videoconference and some meetings in person. In person meetings are normally held in London, usually with an option to join remotely.
• Trustees may also be offered the opportunity to join one of our standing committees, depending upon the particular expertise and experience they could bring to the role.

Skills and competencies of our Trustees

1. A commitment to protecting, promoting and maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of the public.
2. The ability to analyse complex information to inform decisions.
3. The ability to contribute a strategic view and make balanced decisions in an open, collaborative and constructive manner.
4. The ability to challenge and question constructively, with a sense of collective responsibility.
5. An understanding of the contribution and impact made by the regulation of professionals.
6. A high level of probity, integrity, objectivity and fairness, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and commitment to equality and diversity
7. An understanding and commitment to good governance and to the Nolan Principles of public life.

In addition to the above, at this time we are particularly interested in receiving applications from people who could contribute one or more of the following

1. Experience in promoting and supporting equality, equity and inclusion.
2. Experience of contributing to the leadership of an organisation in the public, private or voluntary sector.
3. Experience in finance and accounting.
4. Experience of regulatory systems or the quality assurance of education and training.

Eligibility

• A lay member must not be, nor be eligible to be, a registrant on the United Kingdom Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), or on the registers of nutrition related professions.
• A trustee must not be disqualified under either the Charities Act or Finance Act. Disqualification criteria includes being disqualified as a company director, having an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception, involvement in tax fraud, be undischarged bankrupt or have a current composition or arrangement including an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) with creditors, having been removed as a trustee of any charity by the Commission (or the court) because of misconduct or mismanagement, being on the sex offenders’ register

How To Apply

If you would like to apply to join us as a lay Trustee, please complete the form available here , detailing why you would like to join our Council and the skills you would bring (using the skills and competencies above as a starting point). Short-listed applicants will be invited to submit a copy of their CV to the recruitment panel.

Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday 12^th January 2024

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 22^nd January 2024

Further information

You can find more information about the Association for Nutrition and our work on our website at www.associationfornutrition.org.

You can see our previous Annual reports here and our strategic plan here.

Interested applicants may arrange a conversation with the Chief Executive by emailing h.clark@associationfornutrition.org

Diversity

AfN welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, sex, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010