The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny (GSCK) is located in Kilkenny city and works with homeless men, women, families and those at risk of becoming homeless across seven counties including Kilkenny. Established in 1990, we offer emergency accommodation, transitional housing and resettlement services with the aim of returning people to sustained, independent living.
The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny provides emergency services, housing, and homeless prevention supports and works closely with its sister organisation Tar Isteach Housing to provide longer‑term housing. We share a common value structure, some shared resources and staff, and operate through an MOU between both organisations.
We employ a collaborative approach to deliver our services, partnering with several voluntary agencies and local authorities to cooperatively create solutions to homelessness.
We are building a dynamic and committed board to help grow our organisation and guide our mission in supporting those experiencing homelessness in the areas where we have a presence.
We are seeking a new board member to join our board who has recent and relevant experience and knowledge in Governance & Risk Management. Ideally, we are looking for someone who is strategic, passionate about community, housing solutions and interested in co‑creating innovative approaches to delivering our services to those most in need.
Prior board experience is very welcome but not essential. We value diverse voices and experiences that reflect the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from demographics that are not represented on our board presently.
Required Skills
An understanding of leadership as a director with insight into governance and strategy.
An operational understanding of the Not‑For‑Profit sector.
An understanding of the contribution that organisations such as The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny make to social and affordable housing delivery in Ireland.
A strong commitment to assisting in the growth of the organisation and a focus on contributing to building strong risk and governance controls.
Financial knowledge of accounting, risk assessment and mitigation.
Professional experience in a risk or governance role, e.g., as an accountant, auditor, or Risk or Finance Manager/Director in the private, non‑profit, or public sector.
Knowledge and experience of the Charity SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) would be highly regarded.
Strong, insightful business skills and an ability to understand the interplay between complex corporate governance issues, service delivery, and risk.
Responsibilities
Provide critically important input to the strategic growth of The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny and contribute meaningfully to grow our organisation into one which is innovative, financially secure, ethically grounded and demonstrates robust and best‑in‑class corporate governance. Your ability to guide how the organisation reduces its exposure to types of harm, evaluates impacts, develops management strategies, and implements actions that manage risk to the level will underpin all our growth ambitions.
Work with the board to always identify the risks that are inherent in the actions we take to fulfill our strategic mission.
Work to build a coherent framework that is used across the organisation at board and management level to assess: financial risks: including fraud, theft, internal fiscal hygiene issues, donation, bequest and cash handling management, grants management, use of investments and management of financial sources; operational risks: including liquidity and business continuity, property, IT and technology, emergency succession, staff and service user safety, morale and other legal issues; service user risks: safety, discrimination and harassment risks, and the abuse of vulnerable service users that we work with; reputational risks: negative media attention, poor community relationships and impacts, and public awareness of organisational errors, all of which impact the relationships with donors, the public and stakeholders.
Be prepared to work for a commitment of 3 years and contribute to sub‑committees as required.
Work to ensure The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny complies with all relevant legal requirements.
Work to ensure compliance with the Charity Regulator's Governance Code, AHBRA and NQSF standards.
Work to ensure the organisation is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit.
Work to assist the development and monitoring of effective, best‑practice risk management strategies for The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny.
Work to assist in developing and monitoring internal systems that are transparent and accountable to stakeholders and funders.
Provide general expertise and advice on all matters relating to corporate governance.
Comply with the charity’s internal governing documents.
Ensure that the charity is complying with its charitable purpose.
What You’ll Gain
Meaningful Effort with Purpose: Directly influence the growth of our organisation improving the lives of men, women and children who are experiencing the trauma of homelessness.
Professional Growth: You will learn from a diverse group of trustees from all walks of life who are interested in collaborating with other people to make a real difference. You will gain significant problem‑solving skills, learn how to balance corporate governance, ethical choices and strategic thinking, and gain experience of working with others on sub‑committees and on specific boards.
Community Growth: You will be part of a team creating visible community growth and engagement and will make a difference in every project you work on.
Board Meeting Commitment
The time commitment is one 1‑hour board meeting every six weeks with attendance remotely or in person in Kilkenny. The appointees would join the main board and also participate on relevant sub‑committees according to preference and skill set. There is a minimum of 7 meetings per year.
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