Summary

Project Esperanza (SCIO) launched officially in 2021. We are a trusted organisation whose social purpose is to offer practical, emotional and integration support predominantly to families of African heritage but also support a huge base of people from multi ethnic backgrounds. We are the pioneers of race and faith sensitive, culturally authentic and appropriate, specialised support and services in North Edinburgh. We are a registered charity (SC051454) looking for several new members to join the organisation’s Board of Trustees. We are seeking to appoint trustees that will fill vacancies at the end of the financial year in March 2025.

We are looking for a new Non Executive Board to shape our strategy around the future of Black families in Scotland, steer our direction, support the development of our organisation in its next phase of growth and hold us accountable to our mission. We are looking for applicants with specific skills, experience, and interest in any of the following areas:

• Digital marketing and public relations
• Secretary to the Board
• Journalism/Publishing/Media (wider UK)
• Accountancy
• Fundraising
• Employment Law
• Sustainability/climate emergency
• Women’s health

The role of on Executive Board members

This role involves:

• Holding the CEO/Director and staff accountable to delivering our mission
• Reviewing strategy, outcomes and progress against the mission and objectives
• Identifying and agreeing new areas for development
• Overseeing and supporting on strategies for funding and revenue generation
• Making decisions to safeguard the reputation and maximising the success of the organisation, including:
  • Ensuring governance requirements are met
  • Complying with safeguarding and data protection policies

Non Executive Board members will be required to:

• Board meetings take place four times per year in March, June, October, and December.
• Trustees are appointed for a term of 2 years, with the option to stand for re-election for an additional 2-year period after a performance review
• Attend our Annual General Meeting

Remuneration

There is no remuneration for this role but reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings (including costs of childcare) and other Project Esperanza related activities will be paid.

Join Our Board and Make a Difference at Edinburgh Students' Charities Appeal.

Are you passionate about empowering students, supporting charitable causes, and making a positive impact in our community? ESCA is seeking individuals to join our Board of Trustees and play a pivotal role in driving our mission forward.

About ESCA:

Our Legacy: With a history spanning over 155 years, ESCA is the link between students and charitable giving. We have a rich legacy of empowering students to fundraise for causes they care about.

Our Aim: ESCA's aim is to inspire, support, and enable students to organise innovative fundraising events that benefit both local and global charitable initiatives.

What We Do:

Empower Students: ESCA provides students with the resources, guidance, and support they need to create and manage their fundraising events. We believe in the power of young minds to drive positive change.

Fundraising Support: We offer grants, event planning assistance, technology resources, and mentorship to students, helping them turn their ideas into impactful fundraisers.

Community Engagement: ESCA fosters a sense of community among students, volunteers, and charitable organisations, strengthening our collective ability to make a difference.

Why Join ESCA:

Make a Difference: Your involvement with ESCA directly contributes to positive change in our community and supports charitable causes.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about philanthropy and community engagement.

Shape the Future: Use your expertise to guide ESCA’s strategic direction and help us evolve as we continue our legacy of student-led impact.

What to Expect as a Trustee:

Board Meetings: Our Board meets once per month in the evening, with the option of joining us virtually via a hybrid format and an expectation to attend two in-person meetings per year. We do not hold meetings during the summer months of May through August.

Communication Commitments: Alongside Board meetings, trustees will be expected to engage in occasional document reviews and correspondence, ensuring effective communication and preparation for upcoming meetings and ESCA activities.

Event Participation: Depending on your availability and interests, you may choose to participate in ESCA events, engaging with the community and supporting our initiatives.

Exciting opportunity to join our Board and contribute to ensuring that Edinburgh is an inspirational and empowering place to live, work, study or visit – no matter who you are.

We are looking for new Board trustees with drive and enthusiasm who are:

• Passionate about Edinburgh and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Interested in how we connect and engage all people in our heritage

• Skilled and experienced in one or more of the following: conservation and maintenance of the built environment, legal, finance, HR, events and fundraising

Our purpose is to pro-actively protect and champion Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site for current and future generations through the conservation of historic buildings, delivering improvements to the public realm, developing our new climate emergency programme and engaging people directly with the rich heritage of the city.

As a trustee you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and stewardship of public and charitably-given funds, supporting and adding value to the work of its professional team in conservation, engagement and capacity building.

We wish to attract people from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures to steer and inform our work. We are aiming for inclusivity, richness of experience and diversity on our Board and in our workforce, to ensure that Edinburgh World Heritage reflects the diversity of the world we live and work in. We particularly welcome applications from young people or those interested in applying for their first trusteeship. Appropriate support, including induction and training, will be given.

Board meetings occur four times a year and there is an annual away day for trustees and staff to discuss current issues. Board trustees are also expected to play a role in at least one the organisation’s committees or groups.

Have you considered joining a Board and interested in developing your leadership and business skills? Do you want to help shape the future of a multi-award winning LGPS pension fund? Can you communicate well with others and form stakeholder relationships?

Then the Lothian Pension Fund Pension Board needs you!

We are looking for committed individuals from diverse backgrounds to join the Pension Board as an Employer Representative and be part of a values driven organisation as we continue to invest in improvements. We would particularly welcome applications from those groups who are currently under-represented at a Board level.

At Lothian Pension Fund we are values driven

• We are agile and dependable
• Our colleagues are self-motivated and team players
• We strive to be innovative and prudent
• We embrace challenge and are respectful

If these resonate with you and you have the time and expertise to support us in our efforts as a sector leading organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Candidates eligible to apply for the Employer Representative role will be drawn from LPF’s Employer bodies (a list of all employers is available on page 115 of our annual report). This would make an ideal opportunity for someone looking to develop board member/trustee experience.

The role

• To provide independent scrutiny and sound judgement, providing challenge and support to ensure the Pensions Committee delivers on its strategic, business, and financial targets.
• Uphold high standards of integrity and probity whilst representing the scheme members and employers of the Lothian Pension Fund.
• Support the Pension Board chairperson in assisting the Pensions Committee to instil the appropriate culture, values and behaviours.
• Have oversight of Pensions Committee assurance models and compliance with requirements imposed in relation to the scheme and by the Pension Regulator.
• Ensure the integrity of financial information and that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible.
• Consider any reports produced for the Pensions Committee, including the annual report, fund performance and administration, actuarial report and valuations and the fund strategy.
• Devote time to developing and refreshing your knowledge and skills.

What you will get in return

• Great professional development
• Tailored induction programme and training opportunities
• A mentor to help navigate the first couple of meetings
• Opportunity to enhance you network and knowledge as a member of a Board in a welcoming environment
• Satisfaction in giving something back
• Out of pocket expenses (such as travel expenses)
• Option of hybrid meetings to accommodate other commitments.

Time Commitment

• Completion of initial induction programme and ongoing training (mix of in-person and online) to help you develop in your role.This includes 4 LPF training sessions, held quarterly and typically 3 hours each.
• Attendance at 4 Pension Board & 4 Pensions Committee meetings per year.(These meetings are typically held on the same day quarterly plus reading and preparation time
• Any other adhoc meetings and training opportunities.

About LPF

Lothian Pension Fund (LPF) is an award-winning asset backed and multi-employer scheme with around £10 billion of assets. We administer the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in Edinburgh and the Lothians. As the second largest LGPS fund in Scotland, we serve over 90,000 members and around 60 employers, helping local government workers and their families experience a financially secure retirement. We also manage the Scottish Homes Pension Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.

LPF is clear in its vision to deliver outstanding pension and investment services. We aspire to be the best LGPS in Scotland, if not the UK.

Core to our purpose, we’re proud to have won the LGPS Fund of the Year at the LAPF Investment Awards in 2023. In 2017, we also became the first UK Local Government pension fund awarded accreditation for the Pensions Administration Standards Association and have held the Customer Service Excellence Award for over ten years.

LPF is unique in Scotland in operating a FCA-regulated investment company, LPFI Limited. We manage over 85% of assets in-house via internal equity, bond and other real asset portfolios (e.g. infrastructure, property and timberland investments). The day-to-day running of LPF is carried out by a specialist team who undertake pension administration, accounting and investment functions. LPF colleagues are employed by an arms-length company, LPFE Limited.

LPF has a Pensions Committee and a Pension Board, both of which play an integral part in our success. The Pensions Committee determines the overall policy objectives, strategy and operation of the LPF and Scottish Homes Pension Fund in accordance with relevant legislation and in the best interests of the members and employer bodies within the pension funds.

The Pension Board is made up of five employer and five member representatives and plays a vital role in providing oversight and assists the LPF Pensions Committee in ensuring compliance with Pension legislation and the Pension Regulator code of practice.

Darren May, Scottish Water, is our current Chair of the LPF Pension Board, and talks about the experience he’s gained as a member and opportunity to learn. See below for his Blog.

Find out more about being a Pension Board member at LPF | LothianPensionFund