Vacancy -- Vice President - Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales was established by Royal Charter in 1907 and was granted a supplemental Charter in 2006 (www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/35/).  It derives its core funding from the Welsh Government as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (WGSB).  The Museum is also a registered charity subject to Charity Law.

The Museum consists of:

• the National Museum Cardiff;

• St Fagans: National History Museum;

• the National Slate Museum at Llanberis;

• the National Wool Museum at Dre-fach Felindre;

• Big Pit: National Coal Museum at Blaenafon;

• the National Roman Legion Museum at Caerleon;

• the National Waterfront Museum Swansea; and

• the National Collections Centre at Nantgarw.

In addition, the Museum presents its renowned research work via its website and in its associated web presence, Rhagor.  The museum is also a major partner in the People’s Collection Wales website (www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/)

The Museum employs some 550 staff across its sites and expends an annual budget of some £25 million.

As set out in the 1907 Charter, the Museum’s key purpose is to educate the public.  This is to be achieved by caring for, enhancing, and giving access to the Museum’s collections, which cover aspects of earth and natural sciences, fine and applied art, archaeology, and the industrial and social history of Wales.

The Museum celebrated the Centenary of its foundation by Royal Charter in 2007.  Its Vision is to be an organisation that inspires people and changes lives.  This vision will guide its work over the next 10 -15 years.  There are ambitious plans for the future development of the Museum and the display of its internationally renowned collections.

The Museum is currently taking forward the exciting redevelopment of St Fagans National History Museum, a major £25.5 million investment that will provide significant economic and social benefits for the whole of Wales.

The Museum is a key partner in the Fusion programme, aimed at increasing the contribution culture makes in helping people in our most disadvantaged communities.

The Museum has important partnership schemes with local museums and galleries throughout Wales which involve the development of exhibitions which draw from the national collections held by the Museum.

It is also an important part of the Museum’s aspirations to mainstream the Welsh language into all of its activities.

Trustees, of which the Vice President is one, are required to fulfil the duties of a trustee of a charity.  The Charity Commission defines these as set out on the Charity Commission website at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc3.aspx.

Trustees must also be aware of their obligations arising from the position of the Museum as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body.  These are laid out in the Framework Document, which sets out the Terms and Conditions of Welsh Government funding to the Museum. 

The term of the current Vice President, Haydn Edwards, is due to come to an end on 30 September 2016.  We are looking to fill this post following his departure.  The Vice President discharges the functions of the President if the President is absent from the UK or unable to fulfil the role.  The President and Vice President will agree on areas of work in which the Vice President will take a special interest.  This will include membership of external organisations on which the Vice President will represent the Museum.  The Vice President can also be expected to chair internal working groups which may be established from time to time and to serve on all the main sub-committees of the Board.  The Vice President will be expected to be in touch with the views and concerns of the Museum’s partners, supporters and the public at large on the principal issues relating to the work of the Museum and also to make a major input into the further consideration to be given to the Museum’s strategic development.

The key points to note are that Trustees including the Vice President must:

• attend Board meetings regularly and prepare thoroughly for those meetings;

• be prepared to serve on sub committees;

• actively support the Museum’s management and staff in their work;

• represent the Museum at public functions;

• promote the profile of the Museum;

• give the Museum the benefit of their experience and expertise;

• facilitate contact with the Museum’s stakeholders; and

• contribute to the determination of policy, strategies and priorities in the management of the Museum’s collections.

Like the President, the Vice President will need to be willing and able to assume a high profile role as an ambassador and advocate for the Museum.  To be effective, the Board needs Trustees with a broad range of expertise and experience.  As Vice President you will help determine policy, strategies and priorities in the Museum’s core activities.  You should be able to draw on your own knowledge, skills and experience to provide evidence of your abilities in a range of the following areas:

• a commitment and enthusiasm for the Museum’s work including a broad appreciation of the subjects covered by the Museums collections;

• an understanding and interest in the cultural sector as a whole and a sensitivity to discern public opinion on cultural issues;

• leadership skills with an understanding of the process of managing organisations, particularly with relation to issues of good governance;

• an established track record in chairing meetings effectively;

• an ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing;

• effective ambassadorial, presentation and negotiation skills;

• Personal integrity, probity and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of public life

• a good understanding of the Museum’s dual role as a major charity and a Welsh Government Sponsored Body.

• contributing effectively in discussion, decision making and debate;

• working in a collegiate manner with fellow Trustees;

• management experience in a business, institutional, administrative or other context, with an appreciation of the distinction between the executive and none executive functions;

• a commitment to equality issues and challenging discriminatory practices when appropriate; and

• a commitment to Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life).