Please note that this is a voluntary role and non-renumerated. Inclusive of meetings, the expected time commitment for the role is approximately 0.5-1 days per month. Applications should be made to [email protected] on or by 26th June 2026 and will be treated strictly in confidence. It is intended interviews will take place in the week beginning 20th July 2026. For further information, you can visit our website at https://www.icel.ie/volunteer-vacancies/
ICEL is seeking a Deputy Secretary who will assist the Secretary, Benedict Blunnie BL (a practising barrister in the full-time employment of the State) in providing comprehensive legal and administrative support and guidance to the Board of the Centre.
The Secretary and Deputy Secretary are assisted by the Chief Executive Officer in carrying out her/his tasks.
The vacancy arises as a result of the promotion of the previous Deputy Secretary to the role of Secretary. (Together with secretarial responsibilities, the Secretary is also responsible, as a senior Officer, for co-leading the Board and managing the activities of the Centre.)
The Deputy Secretary will be a volunteer. S/he will not be a director or charity trustee, or (unless otherwise agreed) a secretary either for the purposes of company law or charities compliance.
Responsibilities will include the following:
The Deputy Secretary will assist the Secretary in record-keeping of meetings, and in advising the Board on the Centre’s compliance with its legal obligations. The ICEL maintains a high standard of internal governance, and compliance with requirements of company and charity law. The Centre’s governance is set out here.
The Deputy Secretary:
1. Attends but is not a member of the Board (i.e., is not a company director and a Charity Trustee);
2. Attends and may be a member of the Officers’ Committee (together with the
President, Deputy President, Treasurer and Secretary), which oversees
implementation of Board decisions;
3. Together with the Secretary and Executive Director, accounts to the independent Audit & Governance Committee on governance matters; and,
4. Attends the Advisory Council and the General Meetings.
The Deputy Secretary may also play a key role in 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. It is hoped the Deputy Secretary will play a key role in those discussions.
Specific responsibilities:
1. Collaboratively working with the Board and Executive Director on implementation of the highest levels of governance and Board effectiveness, and advising the President and Executive Director on same
2. Advising the Board, Secretary and Executive Director on compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements as a company and a charity (other than those for which the Treasurer is responsible), including internal governance obligations
3. Primary responsibility for drafting the Agenda of Board, Officers’ Committee, Advisory Council and General Meetings and preparing and circulating the agenda and any other papers
4. Primary responsibility for drafting the Minutes of the Board, Officers’ Committee, Advisory Council and General Meetings, and ensuring same are approved by the relevant Chairpersons and circulated to members promptly after the meeting
5. Primary responsibility for the maintaining a record of Minutes at Board, all Committee and General Meetings in accessible format (including working with the Executive Director on developing Sharepoint storage or similar for staff and Board)
6. Ensure all other required records are maintained (including membership
records)
7. Follow up on decisions taken at meetings in consultation with the President, Deputy President and Secretary
8. Follow up on all action points agreed at meetings in consultation on action owners and to report on the status of all action items to the board.
9. Assisting in accounting to the Board and Audit & Governance Committee for the Centre’s compliance with legal obligations and best practice for charities and companies
General responsibilities will include the following:
1. Providing input to the strategic direction of the ICEL and contributing with insight, oversight, and experience of strategy formulation in the sector
2. Policy formation, planning and implementation as required
3. Governance responsibilities, including service on Committees
4. Comply with the Centre’s governing document
5. Ensuring the Centre is complying with its charitable purpose for the public
benefit
6. Acting in the best interest of the Centre
7. Act with Reasonable Care and Skill
Requirements
1. A Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Secretary or Chartered Director with
at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience, or professional experience
equivalent thereto.
2. Knowledge of the relevant requirements of company law, corporate
governance principles, Irish charities legislation and the Charities Governance
Code
3. Experience of acting as a company secretary or equivalent, ideally with a
charitable organisation, a public sector body or large company
Desirable experience
4. Experience as a company director, charity trustee, a committee member,
school governorship or similar voluntary role;
5. Experience in funding of charitable or voluntary organisations;
6. Commercial experience;
7. Experience in event management/planning and professional educational
seminars, events or similar;
8. Experience in marketing / digital communications;
9. An interest in matters related to the European Union and/or the Council of
Europe.
The Deputy Secretary is required to attend on 12 days annually, for meetings of 1-2 hours: 4 scheduled Board meetings (in March, June, September and December); 2 scheduled Advisory Council meetings (held on the same day as the June and December Board meetings); 1 scheduled Annual General Meeting per year (held on the same day as the September Board meeting); 4 scheduled Audit & Governance committee meetings (held 1 week before Board meetings); and, 8 scheduled Officers’ Committee meetings a year (held midway between Board meetings and one week before Board meetings).
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Work Location: In person
