Recruitment pack. November 2015

Transcription

1 Recruitment pack November 2015

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Background... 2 Our vision and values... 3 Recent successes... 4 Our future... 5 Our board and staff... 6 Job description... 7 Person specification... 9 Terms of the appointment How to apply... 11

3 Introduction Welcome to Responsible Finance; this is the recruitment pack for our new Chief Executive. We are the voice for providers of fair and affordable finance. We represent and support a strong national network of responsible finance providers (formerly CDFIs). Our members provide much needed access to capital in an environment where this may not otherwise be available, to people, businesses and social enterprises across the UK, supporting local jobs, families and economies. I became chair of Responsible Finance (then CDFA, the Community Development Finance Association) four years ago. During this time I have supported the Chief Executive in promoting its mission and in achieving the common goal of our members and supporters; to see CDFIs help their customers turn economically disadvantaged areas into flourishing, prosperous communities. During this time we have seen our members come together and for the sector to come of age to the point where we now provide a clear alternative source of responsible finance. My term of office is completed and we are also recruiting a new Chair. As Responsible Finance enters a new stage of development the new Chief Executive will need to work with the board to drive forward what we see as an exciting and refreshed organisation, responsive to working in a volatile environment and so taking advantage of the many, rich opportunities on offer. This pack is designed to give you information about the organisation, as well as what we are looking for in terms of a new Chief Executive. If you think you have the energy and zeal to work collaboratively with a dedicated board and staff team and are keen to be part of the success of responsible finance across the UK, I d like to hear from you. This is a unique opportunity and I look forward to your application. Jonathan Diggines Chair RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 1

4 Background Responsible Finance was established in 2002 as CDFA, the trade association for community development finance institutions (CDFIs) non-profit social enterprises that lend to small businesses and social enterprises, individuals, and civil society organisations. Many CDFIs invest in areas of high deprivation and market failure. CDFIs provide affordable credit and help to build thriving communities by creating and keeping wealth within their communities. The past thirteen years have seen the substantial growth of the CDFI sector. In 2015, CDFIs provided well over 60,000 customers with loans and equity worth 250m. Responsible Finance has responded to this by developing programmes to support the growth of the sector and raise standards across its membership. The Responsible Finance board wants to see significant growth of the sector and have set a target of a 35% increase in loan book value, per year, for five years. This will require Responsible Finance to exercise strong leadership, through the board and Chief Executive and to: Ensure comprehensive access to finance for under-served communities, across all four UK nations Implement common performance standards as the basis for accreditation across all CDFIs Develop impact measurement for CDFIs as industry benchmarks Empower members to broaden their horizons in driving social change Pioneer partnerships with key stakeholders to place community finance at the heart of government s fiscal and social policy Create innovative financial models that accommodate CDFI investment readiness support role alongside their loan portfolios Ensure our organisational cash flows and financial viability remain solid in a difficult funding environment. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2

5 Our vision and values Our vision We want to see a future where fair finance is available to all. Our mission We want to build stronger local economies through a network of responsible finance providers, working together to deliver a future where fair finance is available to all. Our values we are: Responsible This underpins everything we do. Our members lend responsibly; we fund responsible organisations. For us, this is the only way to do business. Fair We champion fairness as a core value. It defines our approach to lending and how our members treat their customers. Everyone who works with us or who benefits from our services is valued and treated fairly. Personal Every customer is different. Our members services are delivered by people, for people; tailored to meet individual needs. Trusted We ensure our members comply with our code of practice. It s all part of providing a conscientious, accountable and quality service that customers can rely on. The above forms the basis of our current strategic plan. This can be found at: RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 3

6 Recent successes Some examples of recent CDFA achievements include: Secured 60million for the community finance sector through a Regional Growth Fund programme, part funded by RGF, Co-operative Bank and Unity Trust Bank Developed the Economic Impact Tool which enables CDFIs to quantify the value they are adding to the local economy Launched the Just Finance manifesto, setting out the CDFA s ambitious vision for the community finance sector. Oversaw a capacity-building programme a major initiative funded by the RBS Group which established a performance framework for the sector. Teamed up with HACT to bring together resources from housing associations, CDFIs and Start Up Loans to create a loan fund to support residents, or the local communities they work in, looking to start up their own businesses Acted as a key player in the formation of the Community Investment Coalition, a national partnership focused on campaigning for fair finance Launched research that quantifies the market gap for community finance Brought the Citi Micro entrepreneurship Awards to the UK, to showcase the great work of CDFIs and celebrate the achievements of the entrepreneurs they help Secured a contract for a consortium of CDFIs to deliver the StartUp Loan Programme. Successfully established CDFIs as a distinct category within the new CCA fee structure, resulting in a significant cost reduction for the annual fee for 30% 50% of CDFIs and SIFIs in the UK Stabilising our own financial viability in a difficult funding environment. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 4

7 Our future To mark its next, exciting phase of development, CDFA launched an all-new brand on November 2 nd 2015, Responsible Finance. This articulates a contemporary, inclusive and ambitious identity that s intended to grow the industry. It will include a new standard setting kite mark and will accommodate a broader membership base. Through unifying the sector, it will create the basis for a new style membership, with increasing diversity, which should add significant weight to our profile, lobbying potential, ability to shape policy and so our overall influence. Key activities for our future are: Lobbying, policy shaping and campaigning Networking and supporting our members, particularly through the use of new technology Research and development work Ensuring effective relationships with regulatory bodies Contract management and fund holding Securing our own financial wellbeing-the rapid growth of non-bank finance providers combined with new, tech-driven solutions is revolutionising the financial services industry and creating a new wave of consumers to which the industry must respond. Serving the gap in the market that these new developments - exciting though they are - will not meet, is the task for responsible finance providers over the coming years. Responsible Finance is excited about growing a stronger membership base, to fill this gap and to create opportunity across the UK RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 5

8 Our board and staff Responsible Finance is constituted as a company limited by guarantee without share capital. We maintain a strong membership base of around 50 members currently. The board is appointed at the AGM and the majority of directors are elected from within our membership. We strongly encourage the valuable contribution of board members from outside of our membership as a way of bringing independence, new ideas and original perspectives to our work. Staff chart This is the current staffing structure at Responsible Finance RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 6

9 Job description Responsible to: Board of Directors Responsible for: Policy and Research Manager, Finance Manager, Membership Manager. Also responsible for overseeing a range of consultants, delivering Responsible Finance contracts Core purpose: To manage and drive forward a dynamic, authoritative and influential association that leads the UK Responsible Finance sector To ensure that Responsible Finance and its members meet all appropriate standards of best practice To propose and deliver a balanced budget for Responsible Finance To ensure the sustainability of Responsible Finance by growing its membership and building strategic and revenue-generating relationships To work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategy that will build the capacity and stature of the Responsible Finance sector. To manage the Association s resources, and to report directly to the Board on the Association s organization, structure, staffing and finances. Key responsibilities: To provide leadership, along with the chair, to the UK Responsible Finance sector and ensure its development. Develop and implement, with the board, the vision, strategy and objectives to secure the future growth of the UK Responsible Finance sector. Promote and communicate the vision, objective and targets of Responsible Finance to ensure all parties who contribute to the success of the Association are aware of them. Through direct reports, provide the Board with monthly financial statements and a quarterly report on performance against targets, and a commentary on any deviation or remedial action requirements. To be responsible for the day-to-day internal management of the organisation and its service, building, managing and developing an effective team. Develop and manage services to support or enhance the membership package. Represent members, advocate and lobby on their behalf in public, government, institutional and corporate environments. Ensure the necessary revenue is raised for the Responsible Finance s work from government, corporate and charitable sources, as well as from membership fees and the sale or management of services. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 7

10 Through direct reports, ensure good management practices are adhered to, including the effective utilisation and ongoing development of human resources, quality standards and safety considerations. Identify, agree and co-ordinate new project development with members and stakeholders, as appropriate. Liaise with other organisations as appropriate to maintain an awareness of development in the responsible finance sector and promote the interests of our responsible finance provider members. As the senior leader within the executive team, the Chief Executive is expected to carry out such other duties as are necessary. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 8

11 Person specification Experience Substantial senior management experience, including managing managers, a range of functions and multiple stakeholders Experience of reporting to and facilitating, a board of directors or trustees along with strong working knowledge of corporate governance Experience of advocacy, representation and influencing in public, private and/or not for profit sectors, including a track record of lobbying for policy change Significant experience of income generation, ideally from grant-based, commercial and public sector sources. Abilities Credible, strong personal commitment to the aims and values of Responsible Finance Ability to develop and win tenders, grants and contracts, incorporating complex outputs and delivery structures Understanding of membership associations Understanding of the Financial Services industry, and the context in which Responsible Finance operates Knowledge of a range of Responsible Finance providers (including those from a range of sectors; Enterprise, Social Enterprise and Personal Lending) and an understanding of the issues they face. Organisation building, staff management and team development Excellent presentational skills; written, spoken and personal presentation Proven ability in developing strategy Excellent flexibility and adaptability to a range of contexts, while remaining focused on core aims and objectives Core competencies (applicable to all Responsible Finance staff) An understanding of, and empathy with the Responsible Finance sector and its underpinning principles of social justice A strong commitment to working as part of a team A commitment to principles of diversity and equality Entrepreneurial flair and ability to apply this in the shared pursuit of the Responsible Finance vision Making best use of new technologies across all Responsible Finance work areas RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 9

12 Terms of the appointment The appointment of Chief Executive is being made on the following basis: Salary c 70,000 pa Pension We operate a group personal pension scheme. We will contribute a maximum of 7% of basic salary into the scheme. Hours The hours of work for this post are 37.5 per week (excluding lunch breaks). Fixed hours are not appropriate to this position. The actual hours worked will be determined by the duties and responsibilities of the post and will include some evening work. You are not eligible for overtime pay, but you may take time off in lieu of extra-long hours worked. The role requires regular national and occasional international travel Holidays 25 days per annum rising to 30 for every complete year, plus public holidays and discretionary additional days to cover closure over the Christmas and New Year period. Probation There will be a six month probationary period where the appointment will be reviewed by a panel of board members. Notice 3 months on either side upon successful completion of the probationary period. Duration of post This is a permanent post subject to successful completion of the probationary period. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 10

13 How to apply This appointments is being made by the board of Responsible Finance, which has enlisted the support of Tank Consulting for this recruitment exercise. If you have any queries about the work of Responsible Finance please contact the Chief Executive, Ben Hughes on or at If you have queries about the recruitment process you should contact Graham Finegold at Tank Consulting on If you decide to apply, please send the following: your latest CV a completed equal opportunities monitoring form a personal statement that uses clearly referenced, numbered points to show how you meet each of the areas of the person specification. NB: It is expected that your personal statement should NOT exceed six sides of A4. Please send this by to: gfinegold@tankconsulting.com All applications must be received by 12 noon on 7 th December A longlist of candidates will be invited for a short interview with Graham Finegold on 16 th December This will also be an opportunity to meet the outgoing Chief Executive and to find out more about the organisation. From this a shortlist of candidates will be decided and will be invited to an assessment centre in London on 12 th January This will be followed by a panel interview, in London, on 27th January 2016 Disabled candidates should contact Graham Finegold if there are any reasonable adjustments that need to be made to the recruitment process to accommodate your disability. RECRUITMENT PACK CHIEF EXECUTIVE 11