The ICEL is a Centre of the School of Law of Trinity College Dublin, constituted as a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, with an independent Board and Committees. The Board chairperson is the Centre’s President, Hon Mr Justice Anthony M Collins (a serving member of the Irish Court of Appeal).
It was founded in 1988 by Senator Mary Robinson SC (now the Centre’s Patron) as a membership-based association to further education in the law and research of the European Union and European human rights.
The Centre serves the legal professions, legal academics, law students, public institutions, the voluntary sector, businesses and the wider public.
The Centre organises conferences and seminars across the island of Ireland in various areas of EU law (in particular, environmental, public procurement, data protection, Brexit and competition law) and in human rights law. The Centre is also the Irish member of the European Law Association for Criminal Law and the Protection of the Financial Interests of the EU, which is run by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
The Centre has annual revenues of approx €150k and 2 part-time members of staff based in Trinity. The Centre has recently launched activities in Northern Ireland, and additionally has recruited a part-time Assistant Director for Northern Ireland based in Belfast.
The Role
The Treasurer is a volunteer member of the Board, appointed by the Board. The Treasurer is assisted by the Chief Executive Officer and the Administrator in carrying out her/his tasks.
The Treasurer is the officer responsible for the sound financial management of the Centre, and for ensuring that the Board complies with the financial reporting obligations of the Centre.
The Treasurer’s responsibilities include the following:
* To evaluate and monitor the adequacy of financial controls and procedures;
* To advise the Board on compliance and risk management;
* To advise the Board on financial implications of proposals;
* To advise the Board on the Centre’s compliance with financial best practices;
* To advise the Board as to whether all fundraising and borrowing is in accordance with legal obligations and prudent financial management.
Assisted by the Centre's Chief Executive Officer (who prepares all documentation), and by the Centre’s external Accountant & Auditor (TD Fitzpatrick), the Treasurer recommends:
* The annual budget, revised budgetary forecasts, cashflow reports, annual report and financial statements to the Board;
* The annual report and financial statements to the AGM, on behalf of the Board.
The Treasurer:
* Is a member of the Board (i.e., is a company director and a Charity Trustee);
* Is a member of the Officers’ Committee (together with the President, Deputy President and Secretary), which oversees implementation of Board decisions;
* Together with the CEO, accounts to the independent Audit & Governance Committee on financial matters;
* Attends the Advisory Council and the General Meetings.
The Treasurer plays a key role in the development of the Centre's strategy, governance and activities, and will be committed to the charitable purposes of the Centre. The Centre is currently embarking on a strategic review, and is seeking to increase sustainable income. The Treasurer will play a key role in leading those discussions.
Desirable Skills
* Professional experience in accountancy, financial management, senior management in business, a senior level in the public service or equivalent governance experience;
* A professional qualification in accounting.
Other Desirable Experience
* Experience as a company director, charity trustee, a committee member, school governorship or similar voluntary role;
* Experience in funding of charitable or voluntary organisations, including grant funding and sponsorship;
* Commercial experience;
* Experience in event management/planning and professional educational seminars, events or similar;
* Experience in marketing/digital communications;
* An interest in matters related to the European Union and/or the Council of Europe.
General Trustee Duties of a Charity Trustee
* Comply with the Centre’s governing document;
* Ensuring the Centre is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit;
* Acting in the best interest of the Centre;
* Act with reasonable care and skill;
* Manage the assets of the Centre.
Appointment & Term
The Treasurer will be appointed on and with effect from 5th May 2025 or such other date as may be agreed and determined by the Board. The Treasurer will be appointed for 3 years, with the possibility of renewal once.
Time Commitment
(1) Board, Committee and General Meetings
The Treasurer is required to attend on 8-12 days annually, for meetings of 1-2 hours:
* 4 scheduled board meetings (in April, June, September and December);
* 2 scheduled Advisory Council meetings (held on the same day as the April and December Board meetings);
* 1 scheduled Annual General Meeting per year (held on the same day as September Board meeting);
* 4 scheduled Audit & Governance committee meetings (held 1-2 weeks before Board meetings);
* 0-4 Officers’ Committee meetings a year (called when necessary on an ad hoc basis).
Dates of meetings may change to suit Board members.
(2) Outside of Meetings
The Treasurer is a core member of the voluntary Officer team, and leads the financial work carried out by the CEO and Administrator. The expected time commitment for the role is 1 day a month.
NB It is not expected that the Treasurer play a role in or attend other voluntary activities of the Centre (in particular events in EU and Human Rights law), although this would be welcome.
(3) Timings of Meetings
Most Committee and Board meetings will take place at the end of the working day. Liaison between voluntary members may take place outside office hours: liaison with staff takes place during office hours.
(4) Method of Communication
Board, Committee and General meetings are normally held online, with the December meeting held in hybrid form in Trinity College, Dublin.
Diversity
The ICEL is committed to diversity in appointments to the Board and Committees, in terms of: gender; age; ethnicity; sexual orientation; the inclusion of members of the legal professions and those involved in legal education; geography in terms of residence or place of business on the island of Ireland (including both legal jurisdictions).
The Nomination, Employment and Remuneration Committee has been asked to have regard to the skills and diversity on the Board and to recommend appointments, where possible, on the basis of bringing the Board towards gender balance.
Application Deadline
Applications should be made to icel@tcd.ie, should be received by close of business on 4th April 2025 and will be treated strictly in confidence. It is intended interviews will take place in the week beginning 28th April 2025.
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