Glasgow North West Citizens Advice Bureau (GNWCAB) is an independent charity that provides free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services in the north west of Glasgow. We offer support on issues ranging from debt, benefits, and welfare rights to consumer rights, finances, and budgeting support.

Our services are available to everyone in our local communities. We aim to make them as accessible as possible by promoting equality and diversity and by challenging discrimination.

Who are we looking for?

We currently have a small but strong Board of Directors with diverse professional expertise. We are seeking new Chairperson who can lead the Bureau through a period of premises change and support and develop our strategic plans for the future, ensuring we provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible.

The role offers the opportunity to a make a central and strategic contribution to supporting the people of north west Glasgow with a range of pressing advice issues. Our work at GNWCAB also makes a fundamental contribution to the campaigns and advocacy work of Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the full network of CABs.

To support these outcomes, we plan for a minimum 6-month induction period during which the successful candidate will shadow the current Chair and get to know our organisation in detail as a Director. Once fully in post as Chair, you will be further supported by our experienced Vice-Chair and Finance, Risk, and Audit (FRAC) Committee Chair.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of organisational leadership who feel passionate about our work, regardless of professional background. We are looking for candidates with a sound understanding of (third sector) governance, financial acumen, and experience contributing to or leading boards.

We want our Board to be representative of our local community and so would welcome approaches from people who live locally or have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We encourage applications from groups that are underrepresented on charity boards, particularly people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and Disabled people.

Other key aspects of the role include:

• Setting strategic direction
• Overseeing governance and regulatory compliance
• Appointment and management of the Chief Executive
• Collaboration with colleagues in local bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland
• (CAS)
• Risk management
• Board engagement, development and support

Time commitment

The expected commitment for the Chair is approximately 30 hours per quarter, incorporating flexibility to work around a full-time working schedule. Board and Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) meetings are each held 5 times a year, two weeks apart. Board meetings are held at GNWCAB in Maryhill, Glasgow on Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm. FRAC meetings are held online Tuesdays 5:00-6:30pm.

Could you help guide one of the UK’s top Students’ Unions?

Strath Union – the Students’ Union at the University of Strathclyde – is looking for an External Trustee with finance expertise to join our Board.

Recently ranked 4th in the UK in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) and one of the top Students’ Unions in Scotland, Strath Union plays a vital role in supporting and representing more than 25,000 students.

We’re looking for someone with experience in finance, accountancy, audit or risk who would like to use their expertise to support a student-led charity and help guide our long-term financial sustainability.

As an External Trustee you’ll work alongside fellow trustees and the Senior Management Team to:

• Provide financial insight and oversight
• Support strong governance and strategic decision-making
• Help ensure the Union continues to thrive for future students

This is a voluntary role and a great opportunity to contribute your skills while making a meaningful impact on the student experience.

Meetings take place in Glasgow with hybrid options available.

If you’d like to support students and help shape the future of Strath Union, we’d love to hear from you.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is seeking to appoint a new external member to its Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). This is an opportunity to contribute independent expertise to one of the UK’s leading art and design institutions and deepen your non-executive and governance experience.

About Glasgow School of Art

Founded in 1845 as one of the UK’s first government-supported schools of design, the GSA can trace its lineage to the 1750s and the establishment, during the Scottish Enlightenment, of the Foulis Academy, the UK’s first school of art.

Over 270 years later, we remain an independent school of art and are ranked as one of the top art and design schools in the world.

About the Role

The Audit and Risk Committee plays a key role in supporting the Board of Governors by providing assurance on the effectiveness of the School’s financial systems, internal control environment, and risk management arrangements.

This appointment is intended to strengthen the Committee’s collective expertise, particularly in audit and finance.

The successful candidate will:

• provide independent professional insight and constructive challenge in the context of the Audit and Risk Committee;
• review audit reports, financial statements, accounting policies and the risk register as part of the work of the Audit and Risk Committee;
• contribute to the work of the Audit and Risk Committee in a manner that supports strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk oversight;
• be a full voting member of the Audit and Risk Committee

Focused on the work of the Audit and Risk Committee, this role does not involve membership of the Board of Governors and carries no wider Board responsibilities. The Audit and Risk Committee Remit and Membership can be located here for information.

Time Commitment

• Attendance at 3-4 meetings annually (normally held via video conference between November and May) – attendance at in-person meetings is not normally required but may exceptionally be requested
• Approximately 16 hours per year, which includes time to read committee papers and to prepare for meetings

Skills and Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong experience in the following:

• Accountancy / Finance (e.g., qualified accountant or senior financial leadership)
• Audit and assurance - ability to interpret audit reports and financial information
• Risk management in a complex or regulated environment

Any application should make it clear where the applicant’s skills and experience meets one or more of these areas.

In addition, experience in public, third sector or education governance is desirable but not essential.

Person Specification

Candidates should meet at least one of the areas specified in Skills and Experience (above) and demonstrate:

• high standards of integrity and professionalism
• strong analytical skills and sound judgement
• confidence in contributing to senior-level discussions
• commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership

Applications from first-time non-executives are welcome, provided candidates understand the nature of the governance role and can demonstrate that they are ready to contribute at that level.

Diversity

The GSA encourages applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background and disabled people are currently under‑represented on the Board, applications from individuals within these groups would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well. More on the GSA's commitment to Equality can be found here.

Remuneration

External committee members are not remunerated but the GSA will reimburse reasonable expenses including travel costs should attendance be required.

GNWCAB’s Board of Directors are looking for four new Directors to work alongside other board members to oversee and support our Chief Executive and our dynamic team of staff and volunteers. Later this year, we will be moving premises and we are seeking to expand our Board to support this process and our onward development. At this important point in our journey, we are seeking Directors who can bring different perspectives to help the Bureau achieve its plans for the future and provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible.

The Board is currently made up of seven Directors, each offering a different skillset that can support the governance needs and development aims of the organisation. We welcome applications from anyone who feels passionate about our work, regardless of professional background.

The Board has identified an upcoming skills gap related to third sector fundraising and governance, and we hope to fill one of the four roles with someone who has experience of this kind. We would encourage applicants with this background to also consider joining our Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee (FRAC).

For the remaining three roles, we encourage candidates of all kinds, particularly those with strong knowledge of and connections to north west Glasgow. Most important to us is finding candidates who fit our values and our organisation. We are looking for people who are approachable, transparent, team players, positive influencers and who are willing to contribute to debate.

GNWCAB’s staff team, volunteers and clients come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and widening access and inclusion is central to our mission and our values. We want our Board to be representative of our local community and so would welcome approaches from people who live locally or have lived experience of issues facing our clients. We encourage applications from groups that are under-represented on charity boards, particularly people from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic communities, as well as young and Disabled people.

We happily welcome applications from people who have not been senior volunteers or sat on a board before. GNWCAB is committed to the on-going development of our staff and volunteers and we provide opportunities for training and engagement across the organisation on a regular basis. As a new Director, you will be fully inducted and offered training tailored to your level of experience that would support your development in the role.