Treasurer - Places of Sanctuary Ireland

Background

Places of Sanctuary Ireland (PoSI) is seeking to appoint a Treasurer who will also serve as a Trustee of the Board. PoSI is a registered charity working with International Protection Applicants and other vulnerable migrants.

PoSI’s work is born from the belief that migrants and newcomers have a huge amount to offer Irish society, and we want to ensure that their voices are heard. The concept of ‘sanctuary’ ensures that vulnerable migrants will feel safe, find people who welcome them and understand why they are here, and have opportunities to be included in all activities.

PoSI works with different ‘streams’ – schools, universities, libraries, community groups and local churches. Each unit (a school or university for example) work with PoSI to become a ‘place of sanctuary’. There are three core principles which underpin the designation process – learn (e.g. understanding migrant rights), action (e.g., showing solidarity with new arrivals) and share (e.g. making sure the community understands the purpose of sanctuary).

In addition, PoSI supports a network of Sanctuary Ambassadors who are representative of migrant populations, no matter what their status, allowing them to directly contribute to their local communities.

PoSI’s activities have grown in response to recent challenges in Irish society to immigration. The concept of sanctuary is more important than ever. With the support of several key funders, PoSI now has 5 employees and a turnover of €300-500k. 

The current Treasurer is coming up to their term limit, and the Board is seeking to facilitate a smooth transition. This is a voluntary role.

For further information please see our website  https://www.sosi.ie/

Role Summary

The Treasurer is a Trustee of the Board, and a valued adviser to fellow Trustees on all financial issues where their primary skill set is a passionate commitment for issues related to International Protection Applicants.

PoSI can only meet the demands of vulnerable migrants by securing the support of funders who share our values. Maintaining the trust of funders through strong governance and effective financial controls is essential to PoSI’s success.  

Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, there are four key dimensions to the role:

1. Participating as an active member of the Board of Trustees
2. Developing a 3–5-year strategy for PoSI, with particular responsibility for delivering a funding model to support the growing demand for sanctuary. Significant progress has been made with several funders in recent years who have each agreed multi-annual commitments
3. Working with the Executive team to develop funding applications, and providing regular reporting to funders as agreed
4. Maintaining the day-to-day finances of the organisation – managing payments, basic book-keeping and ensuring the appropriate controls are in place. Payroll is outsourced, and we have a good collaboration with our Auditors.

Relevant skills and experience

1. Commitment to the concept of ‘sanctuary’ and the need to find opportunities for vulnerable migrants to play an inclusive role in Irish society
2. Financial experience – planning, budgeting, bookkeeping, financial control etc. Formal accounting qualification is welcome but not essential
3. Governance – understand the core principles, prior Board experience is welcome but not essential. 
4. Trusted adviser – knowledgeable, impartial, tactful and well organised
5. Collaborative – working with the Board and the Executive to develop a shared plan

Commitments Required

• There are likely to be 5-6 Board Meetings a year lasting 1.5-2 hours, mainly via remote
• The workload will vary on a weekly basis but a commitment of circa 1-1.5 days a month is required to fulfil the duties in full