ESSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Welcome to Essex Community Foundation

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Co-opted member with us. Over the coming months, we are
looking to appoint a co-opted member to join our Finance & Investment Committee, to help guide and
shape our work both now and in the years ahead.

In this pack you’ll find the more details about us, this role and the application process.

If you care about Essex, are passionate about helping others, and are ready to contribute to our work
with your professional advice, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The deadline for this role is rolling. Please check our website for any updates.

About Us

Our mission is to inspire philanthropy and charitable giving – matching people, ideas, resources and
needs to make a real and lasting difference in our local communities.

Since 1996 we have worked passionately to develop and support the charitable sector in Essex,
Southend and Thurrock. We work with individuals, families, businesses and charitable trusts,
introducing them to organisations tackling issues that are important to them and our communities.

By investing the donations we receive and the funds we manage, we provide a sustainable source of
funding that local organisations can tap into year on year.

Each year we provide grants to over 400 local organisations, large and small, with funds provided by
220 donors and national programmes. Our invested (endowed) portfolio of funds is currently circa
£55 million and in the last year we awarded around £3.5 million in grants.

We have recently launched our ambitious 2030 Strategy  which sets out our vision to:

▪  Attract new philanthropy to invest in our community.

▪

Increase our grant making.

▪  Be a bold and independent voice for the voluntary sector with other funders, charities, and

public sector bodies to support our communities.

We engage over 300 local people through our grant making panels who help us to understand local
needs and to make decisions about where to award our grants.

We are a small team of 15 paid staff and 3 volunteers who are based in our offices in central
Chelmsford.

Please visit our website for more information about our work including our 2030 Strategy and Annual
Report and Financial Statements.

About The Role

We are seeking a co-opted member to join our Finance & Investment Committee. The committee
provides strategic oversight of our financial affairs and investments, ensuring they are managed
responsibly and in line with our charitable objectives.

The co-opted member will play a key role in scrutinising the performance of our external investment
managers, helping us ensure value for money, appropriate risk management, and alignment with our
mission.

What is a Co-opted Member?

A co-opted member is someone invited to join a committee because of your specialist skills,
knowledge or experience.

•  Not a trustee – Co-opted members are not charity trustees and therefore do not carry the legal

responsibilities of trusteeship.

•  Advisory role – You will contribute your expertise to strengthen the work of the committee,

supporting trustees to make well-informed decisions.

•  Committee rights – Within the Finance & Investment Committee, co-opted members take

part fully in discussions and decisions, but do not sit on the full Board of Trustees.

•  Time-limited – Co-opted members are usually appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

Our co-opted members bring independent insight and challenge, helping us ensure that our
charitable funds are invested and managed responsibly for the long-term benefit of communities
across Essex.

Commitment

▪  Co-opted members are usually appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

▪  Committee Participation – Co-opted members of the Finance & Investment Committee are
expected to fully engage in all discussions and actively contribute at meetings held quarterly.

▪  This is a voluntary position (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Key Responsibilities
Review and monitor the performance of ECF’s investment managers.

•  Participate in review meetings with investment managers, providing challenge and insight.

•  Support due diligence on any new or replacement investment managers and other financial

services providers.

•  Assist the committee in monitoring the levels or risk and performance against appropriate

investment benchmarks.

•  Provide advice and assurance to the committee and trustees on investment matters.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for someone with:

•  Professional experience in investment management, risk and performance management,

portfolio oversight, or financial analysis.

•  Strong ability to interpret and question complex financial information.

•  Understanding of risk, compliance, and long-term financial planning.

•  An understanding of charities would be beneficial but not essential.

This is a voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed). The committee meets quarterly at our
Chelmsford office, with options to join online.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must email you CV, and a short personal statement to
recruitment@essexcf.org.uk . Should you have any further questions or wish to discuss this
opportunity, please also email recruitment@essexcf.org.uk and we will arrange for a telephone call
with our Director of Finance & Resources: Catherine Burton

Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to building an inclusive
workplace that reflects the diversity of Essex and encourages applications from underrepresented
groups.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview preferably at our Chelmsford office or online.

Thank-you for your interest in our work and we look forward to hearing from you