Business Trustee & Army Trustee

The Museum invites applications for two Trustees on the Board of the Imperial War Museum.  These appointments are made by the Prime Minister and are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  

Further information on public appointments to bodies sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is available on the DCMS website at http://www.culture.gov.uk/public_appointments

For further details of the vacancy and an application pack please click here.

Closing date for receipt of applications is

• Business Trustee 12 May 2008
• Army Trustee 10.00 am 15 May

Additional information and a hard copy of the application pack is also available from:  Gill Smith, Assistant Secretary of the Museum at 020 7416 5205.

Background
The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War. Its remit has subsequently been extended to cover the Second World War and all military operations involving Britain or the Commonwealth since August 1914.

The IWM is the museum of everyone’s story: the history of modern war and people’s experience of war and wartime life in Britain and the Commonwealth. It is an educational institution responsible for archives, collections and sites of outstanding national importance. 

The Museum’s Mission & Objectives
The Museum’s mission is to enable people to have an informed understanding of modern war and its impact on individuals and society by:

• Creating stimulating learning opportunities and inspiring visitor experiences that are relevant to twenty-first century audiences and draw on unique collections and historical expertise.
• Collecting, studying and interpreting objects, images and records illustrating conflicts involving Britain, the Commonwealth and their allies, from the build up t the First World War to the present day, and people’s personal experience of them.
• Providing worldwide access to its collections and expertise through innovative outreach and web-based programmes as well as at its five branches.
• Developing partnerships that extend the Museum’s networks and complement its status as a national institution of international renown.

The Role
Members of the Board have corporate responsibility for the general management and control of the Museum, subject to the terms set out in the Imperial War Museum Acts (1920 and 1955), subsequent amending legislation and other governing documents.  It is their responsibility also to ensure that the Museum complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds.

The Person
Criteria
Successful candidates for both posts must be able to demonstrate:

• an understand of and support for the purposes and values of the Museum together with an interest in and knowledge of the Museum, its historical field and public educational purposes;
• success in some area of public life or private or voluntary endeavour;
• a proven ability to take responsibility and sound judgement in strategic decision making;
• excellent intellectual and  communication skills, with the ability to contribute to the effectiveness of the Board and the governance of the Museum;
• the ability and commitment to allocate sufficient time to the role.

Army Trustee
In addition to the core criteria the successful candidate for this post will be a recently retired or retiring Army Officer who will have:

• served at the most senior level in the Army;
• recent experience of working at a senior level in Whitehall, including working directly with Ministers, senior officials, members of parliament and the media;
• up-to-date contacts in the Army, Ministry of Defence and defence sector;
• an interest in the history of modern conflict and people’s experience of it.

Business Trustee
In addition to the core criteria the successful candidate for this vacancy will be able to:

• demonstrate a track record of success in commerce, public administration or the law;
• contribute to the Board’s work on its commercial business management;
• demonstrate a knowledge of governance gained at Boardroom level, together with  an understanding of public sector values and the principles of corporate governance in the public sector.

Time Commitment
Up to one day per month.  Four meetings a year plus committee meetings as necessary.  Some additional time will be required to study papers, attend events and other representational engagements.

Location of Meetings
Generally London, but occasionally at other IWM branches.

Remuneration
Trustees are not remunerated although reasonable expenses will be paid.

Duration of Appointment
Four years.

Type of Appointment
These appointments are made by the Prime Minister.

Appointments are made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, and are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.

Closing date for receipt of applications is

• Business Trustee 12 May 2008
• Army Trustee 10.00 am 15 May

Interviews are expected to be held on 3 or 4 June

For further information please contact:
Gill Smith,  Assistant Secretary of the Museum
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road
London   SE1 6HZ
tel  020 7416 5205
fax 020 7416 5215
gsmith@iwm.org.uk

Additional useful websites:
www.culture.gov.uk
www.ocpa.gov.uk