Trustee

Title: Trustee

Type: Voluntary

Term: Each new Trustee is appointed for an initial term of three years

Engagement: The individual will provide time when required

Hours: circa fours hours per week

Location: Remote

The Cyber Helpline

The Cyber Helpline is a movement by the information security community to step in and fill the gap in support for victims of cybercrime & online harm. It is a UK charity that provides free, expert help to victims by helping them understand, contain, recover and learn from experiencing a malicious online issue. We have helped over 22,000 individuals and families in the UK. 

On top of the opportunity to do some good with your skills, The Cyber Helpline will offer you the opportunity for training, skills development, mentoring and career progression. Perfect for those looking to join or progress in the cyber security industry. 

Role Summary

Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing The Cyber Helpline’s affairs, ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up. Importantly Trustees focus on strategic direction and avoid becoming involved in operational decisions and matters. 

The Cyber Helpline is a young, fast-growth charity with a mission that is becoming ever more critical. Effective Trustees are vital to the long term success of the charity. 

Key Responsibilities

Statutory Duties

Each Trustee will ensure:

  • that we comply with our governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations 

  • we pursue our objects as defined in its governing document

  • we use our resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: we must not spend money on activities which are not included in our objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are

  • That they contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

  • they safeguard our good name and values 

  • the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

  • the financial stability of the organisation

  • they protect and manage the property of The Cyber Helpline and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds

  • they appoint the chief executive officer and monitor his/her performance

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help The Cyber Helpline’s Board of Trustees reach sound decisions and ensure the organisation fulfils its objects.  This will involve: 

  • Attending Board and other meetings as appropriate  

  • Participating in one or more Board sub groups as required  

  • Scrutinising board papers and other communications  

  • Leading discussions and providing guidance on new initiatives, particularly in areas where the Trustee has specific skills, knowledge or expertise  

  • Abiding by The Cyber Helpline’s policies and procedures and making sure they are effectively implemented  

  • Acting as a signatory on behalf of The Cyber Helpline, when mandated by the Board to do so 

  • Participate in activities to promote The Cyber Helpline to our beneficiaries, funders and the wider public   

  • Contributing on other issues or areas of special expertise

Requirements

Candidates must be 16 years old or older and be resident in the UK. Successful candidates will need to be background & criminal record checked.

All Charities have a public benefit responsibility and in carrying out their role, The Cyber Helpline’s Trustees are expected to adhere to the Principles for holders of public office:

  • Selflessness: Trustees should act solely in terms of the public interest. 

  • Integrity:  Trustees must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships. 

  • Objectivity: Trustees must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. 

  • Accountability:  Trustees are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this. 

  • Openness: Trustees should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. 

  • Honesty: Trustees should be truthful. 

  • Leadership: Trustees should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour.  They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Key attributes we are looking for:

  • Passion for our mission of supporting victims of cybercrime & online harm

  • Ability to provide the level of commitment required for this role

  • Experience of governance – desirable not essential

  • Ability to work as a team

  • Strong attention to detail & ability to challenge

  • A strong skill set and experience in a key area such as

    • Charity law & governance

    • Diversity, accessibility and inclusion

    • Privacy

    • HR & Volunteer Management

    • Finance & accounting

    • Sales & marketing

    • Fundraising

    • Victim support

    • Cybercrime & online harm (as a victim, researcher or practitioner)

    • Law

    • Policing & justice

    • Academia

  • An understanding of the challenges facing victims of cybercrime & online harm