CILIP is a leading national charity focused on changing lives by improving education, literacy and prosperity for all. We deliver our mission by raising standards in libraries, information and knowledge management. This year, we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of our Royal Charter with a renewed focus on promoting economic and social wellbeing and environmental responsibility through quality information, services and expertise. All of our work is inspired by our values, which include a commitment to social justice, intellectual freedom and evidence-based practice.
We are looking for up to seven new Trustees to join the existing skills-based Board from January 2024. Applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: -
- A commercial marketing/sales leader with experience in business development
- A senior finance leader with experience in investments
- A senior leader with experience in HR/people development
- A senior leader with experience of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion
- A new professional with a desire to develop leadership experience
- A leader with experience in professional associations/strategic workforce development
- A senior figure within the global Knowledge Management community
- A senior figure with experience in charity management and leadership
If you feel you can add value and bring your experience to enhance CILIP we would love to hear from you.
1. The roles:
To be a CILIP Board Member you must demonstrate a passion and commitment to the information and library profession and a sound understanding of its ethics and values. You should be able to contribute strategically beyond the remit of your own work.
Board Members are also the trustees of CILIP. As a charity this means that they are responsible for directing the affairs of CILIP, ensuring that it is solvent and well-run, and delivering the charitable objectives and purpose of its Royal Charter. Trustees are appointed on the basis of their own skills and experience and are not expected to be representative of any particular sector or part of the profession.
One vacancy is reserved for a New Professional Trustee, who should be in the first 7 years of their professional life.
CILIP is committed to developing a diverse and representative Board. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of one or more of the protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act.
Twelve Board members are elected to serve for a four-year period.
2. Key areas of responsibility - every Board Member should be able to do the following:
a) Represent and champion the profession: acting as an ambassador and advocate for CILIP and showing professional leadership by:
• working to promote the aims and objectives of the organisation
• meeting and communicating with members
• seeking opportunities to advocate for the profession and using your networks to do so
• committing to contributing and increasing your professional knowledge and skills
• demonstrating the highest standard of professional conduct, values and ethics
• being a spokesperson for the organisation as and when required.
b) Ensure that the organisation is well run and compliant with charity law: every Board Member has the responsibility to ensure:
• that CILIP complies with legislation, particularly Charity law and the requirements of the Charity Commission as regulator, ensuring that the charity reports on its work, and submits Annual Returns and accounts
• that CILIP follows the rules, and the charitable purpose and objects, set out in the CILIP’s Royal Charter, Bye-Laws and General Regulations.
• that individually they act with integrity, avoid any personal conflicts of interest or misuse of charity funds or assets and are familiar with CILIP’s policy on conflicts of interest.
c) Comply with their duty of prudence – every Board Member must:
• ensure that CILIP is and will remain solvent; keeping themselves informed of the charity's activities and financial position
• use charitable funds and assets wisely, and only to further the purposes and interests of the charity
• avoid undertaking activities that might place the charity's property, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk
• take special care when investing CILIP’s funds, or borrowing funds for the charity to use.
d) Duty of care – every Board Member must:
• exercise reasonable care and skill as trustees of the charity, using personal knowledge and experience to ensure that the CILIP is well-run and efficient
• consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties
To fulfil these responsibilities properly, individual trustees must:
• make sure that they keep up to date with what CILIP is doing
• give enough time and energy to CILIP business
• comply with CILIP’s Code of Conduct
• play an active part in meetings, debate and discussion
• not undertake activities that bring CILIP into disrepute
3. Person specification:
All candidates for appointment to the CILIP Board should be able to demonstrate:
• a commitment to and understanding of CILIP’s charitable objectives
• an understanding of the legal and financial responsibilities of the role
• experience of strategic decision making and the ability to operate effectively at board level
• excellent communication skills and the ability to act as an ambassador for CILIP and to engage in advocacy activities
4. Other information
Time commitment: CILIP Board meets four-five times a year.
Most of the meetings will be held virtually, for example on Teams. One or two meetings are likely to be face to face. An estimated ten days a year would be needed to cover preparation for and attendance at the Board. Members may also be on CILIP Committees which meet approximately four times a year. They are also expected to play an ambassadorial role for CILIP.
Expenses: Travel and out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed.
Duration of appointment: The appointment runs for 4 years.
If you are interested in one of Trustee roles in the first instance, please email clare.wilkins@cilip.org.uk for an application form with a brief reason for your interest.
We look forward to hearing from you.