Overview
Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.
ANI is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The Chair will be appointed for an initial term off our years, renewable for a further term of four years, subject to performance and board approval.
The Chair ensures the board has a clear vision, strategy and culture, and holds the chief executive and senior management team accountable for delivering the organisation's objectives. The Chair also represents Athletics NI at various functions, meetings and media events, and liaises with key stakeholders and partners, including Sport NI, UK Athletics, Athletics Ireland and Mary Peters Track Ltd.
An effective chair will provide leadership to the board, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The chair will play an integral role in ensuring that appropriate decisions are correctly made, including developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and legal and regulatory guidelines.
The chair will work in partnership with the chief executive to ensure that board decisions a reacted upon and the organisation is managed effectively. They will understand the difference between the role the board plays in governance, developing and agreeing the strategic direction of the organisation and that of the chief executive and senior management team in applying that strategy to the day- to-day operations.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to Athletics NI CEO, ceo@athleticsni.org by Wednesday 25 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.
Purpose of the role of the President
The role of President of Athletics NI is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to Athletics NI. It is an ambassadorial role – the President is the public face of Athletics NI to our members, partner organisations and the public, and ensures that the diverse viewpoints of our members are represented to the Directors. It is intended that there is a change of President on a regular basis, so that the outstanding contribution of many individuals can be recognised through the honour of becoming President.
The term of appointment
The President is appointed every two years by the Membership. At the end of two years the President shall retire but be eligible for re-appointment once, for a total maximum term of four years. The President will take part in an induction programme at the start of their term. The President has the right to become a Director of the Company. If they do they must attend Board meetings and in doing so will be will be bound by the Directors Code of Conduct. Accepting the additional post is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the individual. They can decide not to accept the director role and in that case may attend Board meetings as an Observer.
Duties of the Role
The President shall represent Athletics NI at events to be agreed during their term of office and carry out ceremonial duties, such as the presentation of medals and attendance at other events organised by Athletics NI.
The President in carrying out these duties will connect with members, clubs and volunteers within the sport and provide another mechanism for more informal communication and feedback to be shared with the Chairperson, the Board and the CEO.
Accountability
The President shall report to the membership each year at the AGM.
The President’s point of contact within Athletics NI, for other than routine matters shall be the Chairperson.
The President reports the views of the membership to the Board.
Code of Conduct
The President will carry out their duties in accordance with these guidance notes and the Directors Code of Conduct.
The President shall ensure that no action is taken as President that has the effect of placing, or gives the perception of placing, his or her own interests in priority to the interests of Athletics NI.
Should she or he choose to attend Board meetings, the President will be able to debate issues and be free to question or challenge opinions presented at Board meetings. The President’s views will be fully respected within the Board just as the President will always respect the contributions of other Directors and staff members.
The President is expected to utilise their relevant skills, knowledge and experience at meetings.
Unless the Board has established an agreed position in relation to a topic under discussion, individual Board members should not publicly declare a personal view. Once the Board has established an agreed position it is the duty of all Board members to support that view in public, even if they may have argued differently during the Board’s discussions. These responsibilities will apply equally to the President. Any declaration of a difference of opinion should only be made with the prior consent of the Board.
The President may not communicate any confidential Information known to them by reason of their position that has not been made public, except as may be necessary in the course of their duties or under the authority of the Chairperson and with appropriate legal advice.
Expenses
The role of President is a voluntary role and is not remunerated. Expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Athletics NI Expenses Policy.
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Values
Purpose of the role of the President
The role of Vice President of Athletics NI is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated
outstanding service to Athletics NI. It is an ambassadorial role – the Vice President is a support role to the President and assists with being the public face of Athletics NI to our members, partner organisations and the public in the absence of the President. With such a wide and diverse sport it will be necessary for the Vice President(s) to represent Athletics NI at occasions delegated by the President/Chair/CEO to ensure presence across the whole Sport throughout the year.
The term of appointment
The Vice President(s) is appointed every two years by the Membership. At the end of two years the Vice President(s) shall retire but be eligible for re-appointment once, for a total maximum term of four years.
Code of Conduct
The Vice President will carry out their duties in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
The Vice President shall ensure that no action is taken as Vice President that has the effect of
placing, or gives the perception of placing, his or her own interests in priority to the interests
of Athletics NI.
Expenses
The role of Vice President is a voluntary role and is not remunerated. Expenses will be
reimbursed in line with the Athletics NI Expenses Policy.
Overview
Athletics NI (ANI) is responsible for developing and promoting the sport of athletics in Northern Ireland, in partnership with UK Athletics and the other home country associations. Athletics NI oversees the delivery of events, coaching and education programmes, performance pathways, anti-doping and integrity policies, and membership and affiliation services.
ANI is seeking to appoint an independent board member with legal experience / qualification to join its board of directors, which consists of eight elected members and four independent members. The board is accountable to ANI’s members and stakeholders, and provides strategic direction, governance oversight, and financial and risk management for the organisation.
The independent board member will bring expertise, experience and diversity to the board, and will contribute to the achievement of the ANI's vision, mission and values. The independent board member will also act as an ambassador for the sport and the organisation as required.
ANI adheres to the Code for Sports Governance and expects its board members to uphold the highest standards of governance and conduct.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role, and how you meet the person specification, to the ANI CEO at ceo@athleticsni.org by Wednesday 25 September 2024 at 12 noon. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a panel of board members and external advisers. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and eligibility checks.