January 2016 FRIENDS PROVIDENT FOUNDATION INVESTMENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER APPLICATION PACK Cover letter; The advertisement for the job; Job Description; Person Specification; Summary information about the Foundation.
January 2016 Dear Colleague, INVESTMENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Thank you for your interest in the role of Investment Engagement Manager of the Friends Provident Foundation. The Foundation is an independent charity established by a gift of 20 million from Friends Provident plc in 2004. In our short life, we have funded a number of exciting projects, are playing an active role in the philanthropic sector in developing new thinking on economic resilience and in building the social investment market in the UK. The role of Investment Engagement Manager signals a new departure for us we are developing what we think is an innovative approach linking the Foundation s mainstream and social investment portfolios with knowledge gleaned from the grants programme to ensure the Foundation s endowment is an effective tool in pursuit of our mission. This new role will lead on the development and implementation of new cross-cutting programmes incorporating good stewardship of the 30m endowment with our programme and social change objectives. Trustees have created this role to strengthen our capacity to engage with the companies within our portfolio and with our investment managers with the aim of influencing corporate behaviour to better align with principles underpinning a fairer, more sustainable financial system which distributes capital more fairly and balances present and future needs more effectively. Attached is some information about the Investment Engagement Manager role that I hope will encourage you to apply: The advertisement for the job; job description; person specification; summary information about the Foundation.
More information about us, including our most recent annual report and the projects we support can be found on our website www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org. If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Danielle Walker Palmour, the Foundation Director (danielle.walker@friendsprovidentfoundation.org,uk) or 01904 629675. To apply, please email your CV with a covering letter setting out why this is the role for you and outlining your fit with the person specification by 5pm 28 January 2016 to foundation.enquiries@friendsprovidentfoundation.org.uk. Please provide contact details for 2 referees who have good knowledge of your work. We hope to hold the interviews during the week commencing the 8 February 2016. I hope this material is helpful and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Danielle Walker Palmour Foundation Director
The Friends Provident Foundation is an independent, endowed charity, created in 2001. Trustees' focus is on how financial systems can contribute to the achievement of social objectives. INVESTMENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER Salary from 37,000 per annum (pro rata) 4 days up to Full time The Friends Provident Foundation is seeking a unique individual to take on a unique challenge. We have created a new role of Investment Engagement Manager to link the Foundation s investment portfolio and social investments with knowledge gleaned from the grants programme to ensure the Foundation s endowment is an effective tool in pursuit of our mission. This role will lead on the development and implementation of new cross-cutting programmes including investment analysis, working with our fund managers, building networks, working creatively to bring about change large and small through effective stewardship of our resources. The Investment Engagement manager will have experience working in the investment sector, corporate social responsibility or related field; you will have experience in developing effective influencing strategies and be creative in managing issues and matters that cross boundaries and challenge usual categories. The successful candidate will have excellent negotiating skills as well as being an effective communicator. You will be able to absorb, process and take action on the basis of new information and relish being proactive. You will have knowledge of how change can happen in corporations and financial systems and believe in the power of informed asset stewardship. Some experience and understanding of the non-profit sector and working in small organisations would be desirable. A willingness to learn new skills and take on new challenges is essential. The post reflects a long-term development that the Foundation is fully committed to and is ideally based in York but the Foundation is open to discussion with the right candidate about location. The applicant would be expected to travel within the UK on a regular basis. Flexible working arrangements are available. We welcome applicants from all age groups and backgrounds. If you would like to join the Foundation as our first Investment Engagement Manager, a copy of the application pack can be obtained from our website www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org or by phoning 01904 629675. Applications should be made by 28 January 2016, with interviews in the week commencing 8 February 2016.
Job Description for the Investment Engagement Manager of Friends Provident Foundation Job Purpose: Friends Provident Foundation is embarking on an innovative new approach to link the Foundation s investment portfolio and social investments with knowledge gleaned from the grants programme to ensure the Foundation s endowment is an effective tool in pursuit of our mission. This role will lead on the development and implementation of new cross-cutting programmes. The purpose of this new approach is the view by Trustees that all of our assets should be used in pursuit of the Foundation s mission. We wish to create this role to strengthen our capacity to engage with the companies within our portfolio and with our investment managers with the aim of influencing corporate behaviour to better align with principles underpinning a fairer, more sustainable financial system which distributes capital more fairly and balances present and future needs more effectively. A. Main responsibility: Is responsible to the Director of the Foundation for the management and coordination of a number of initiatives set by Trustees operating across investment, social investment, grants, networks, operations and communications; B. Investment Engagement: Is responsible for liaising regularly with the Foundation s investment managers, investment advisers and social investments; C. External relations: Supports the externally focused functions of the Foundation in relation to strategic initiatives; D. Supports the Director in his/her role. These are set out in more detail below - Main duties of the Investment Engagement Manager: A. Responsible for the management and coordination of the Foundation s investment engagement initiatives To work with the Director, colleagues and Trustees to develop and coordinate the Foundation s investment engagement topics, spanning its grant-making, convening, communications, mainstream and social investment, policy development and internal Foundation operations; To analyse the external environment in order to contribute to the development of investment engagement areas;
To work with colleagues to commission research, analysis and convene meetings of key stakeholders to shape and monitor the Foundation s investment engagement initiatives; To lead on the majority of the Foundation s programmes of investment engagement; To work with organisations relevant to the Foundation s programmes which are supported by grant funding and direct investment, to learn from their research and development work; To convene groups of investors, policy-makers and other stakeholders in pursuit of the agreed strategic themes; To manage any relevant financial reporting and budget monitoring; To report to Trustees on progress in achieving the Foundation s specific investment engagement objectives, as requested by the Director. B. Investment engagement To work and liaise with the Foundation s investment managers in relation to the Foundation s investment engagement areas with the aim of influencing their investment behaviour and the corporate behaviours of those companies in which they have a significant holding. To engage directly with companies and social enterprises in which the Foundation has some holdings in relation to the Foundation s investment engagement concerns in order to influence their policies/ approaches; To develop and maintain productive relationships with the Foundation s investment managers, advisers and companies in which the Foundation is invested, whilst adopting challenging positions; To take part in key networks of engaged investors in which the Foundation is a member such as IIGC, Charities Responsible Investors Network, Church Investors Group, Social Impact Investors Group, as relevant; Managing shareholder engagement projects emerging from the Foundation s programme, including meetings and correspondence with company executives and AGM interventions, as appropriate. C. Supporting external communications Quality assure external communications relating to investment engagement programmes, including project outputs, and assist with dissemination activities, including hosting events if appropriate;
To contribute to the population of the website, including blogs/similar within the Foundations procedures and protocols for use of the Content Management System; To work with colleagues to contribute to the Foundation s social media presence; To maintain contacts and relationships with other stakeholders including contacts financial services, regulators, policy makers, and the public and voluntary sectors; To represent, and be an effective ambassador for, the Foundation externally. D. Supporting the Director To play an active part in considering issues arising from the Foundation s work and commitments, including researching and write one-off papers for consideration by the Director and/or the Trustees; To contribute to the production of agenda papers for Trustees and to present oral reports at Trustee meetings as required; To give input to the preparation of statutory returns and the Foundation s annual report; To apply Foundation policies as determined by charity law, employment law, Data Protection, equality of opportunity, good grant-making practice and the Foundation's commitment to transparency and fair dealing; To work as a key member of the Foundation s executive team, working flexibly and providing support and guidance to colleagues. To take the opportunity to highlight relevant professional development activities and, with the Director s permission, to access them. To undertake tasks in furtherance of the Foundation s objectives, as requested by the Director or Trustees.
Person Specification Investment Engagement Manager of Friends Provident Foundation Experience: Essential: Desirable: - Experience working in the investment sector, corporate social responsibility or closely related field; - Experience in developing influencing strategies; - Experience of working on cross-disciplinary matters; - Experience of working without day to day supervision. - Experience of financial services industry or regulation; - Experience of changing corporate behaviour from without or within - Experience of working in a small organisation; - Experience of campaigning and an understanding of social change processes; - Experience of organising events, using social media and a range of communication tools; - Experience of working to a board. Knowledge and Skills: Essential: Desirable: - Some knowledge of the financial services industry and its regulatory context; - Proven influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external parties; - Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English; - The ability to absorb, process and take action as a result of new information, including on unfamiliar areas; - Strong planning, coordination and prioritisation skills and proven capacity to undertake varied tasks simultaneously to deadlines; - The ability to take the initiative, consider information and propose workable solutions; - Self-motivated and with the ability to prioritise own work and manage interruptions; - Excellent inter-personal skills. - Understanding of responsible investment and stewardship;
- Charity investment management practices. Personal attributes: Essential: - Creativity and imagination; - Sympathy with the stated aims and ethos of the Foundation; - Interest in the potential for engaged investors to effect change in corporate behaviours and capital markets; - Ability to multi-task and communicate; - Ability to work independently and on own initiative; - Ability to work as part of a team; - Flexibility of approach; - Results focused; - Ability to travel within the UK, particularly to London or York. The expected normal workplace of the role will be at the Foundation s office in York. If the right candidate is based elsewhere, Trustees are prepared to consider alternative working arrangements. December 2015
Friends Provident Foundation Giving programme 2013 18 social and economic goods and services The Right Use of Money Foundation local finance responsive grant-making new ways of thinking pioneering Building Resilient Economies analysis Change question Community partnership feasible new ideas local fundamental social issues diversity proactive engagement flexibility economic resilience social harmony building capabilities financial systems
Friends Provident Foundation is an independent grant-making charity working to support greater economic resilience through building knowledge and taking action at the strategic and local levels. We are particularly interested in supporting the development of economic and financial systems that are designed to include those who are most vulnerable to market failure.
Building Resilient Economies Friends Provident Foundation s main grant-giving and investment programme, Building Resilient Economies, was launched in 2013. Our aim is to build a more resilient economic system one that distributes social and economic goods and services more fairly, and balances short-term and long-term needs more effectively. The Foundation is working on two levels: 1. Systems change We aim to support disruptive innovation that will actually change the current financial system. We want to explore and inform changes and innovation in regulation, policy and ways of working that will contribute to a more resilient economic system. Systems change will require strong analysis from a range of perspectives. We wish to support work that can help to transform corporate behaviour, and to stimulate feasible new ideas and scaleable, practical examples. 2. Building local economic resilience Our work at the local level will focus on testing and reviewing local or small-scale initiatives that build economic resilience through diversity, flexibility and building capabilities. We wish to see the development of local economic resilience. We seek to support projects that share learning about effective ways for communities to create more sustainable economic systems and retain more of their value. This might include creating community assets or new approaches to local finance. We seek to build partnerships with other organisations that are also funding work at the local level, to learn from and share learning between local initiatives.
The Right Use of Money How can financial systems create and sustain social harmony, and at the same time deliver economic goods and services? This question forms the basis of the Foundation s work, and reflects ground-breaking work to develop ethical funds carried out by our original donor, Friends Provident, over 30 years ago. The Foundation continues to explore these issues through its main grant-making programme as well as supporting a small number of projects to explore aspects of the ethics of the financial systems that underpin our society.
How the Foundation plans to reach its goals The Foundation is working in three ways: 1. Encouraging thinking about how economic resilience might be enhanced. 2. Supporting practical projects to build economic resilience at the local and systemic levels, balancing social and economic benefits, alleviating disharmony and addressing inequality. 3. Using our assets, including financial and human capital, to pioneer new ways of thinking about how money is used to solve social problems. Trustees will consider applications for grants, loans, underwriting or other forms of financial support. The Foundation has a developed social investment policy and we will consider proposals for investment that fit with our programme aims. For more information go to our website at www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org
About Friends Provident Foundation Friends Provident Foundation is a grant-making charity controlled by its Trustees and independent of its original donor, the Friends Provident group of companies. The Foundation was established in 2001 as part of the demutualisation of Friends Provident Life Office and the public listing of the company. It was endowed with unclaimed shares for the purpose of pursuing general charitable objectives. The Foundation provides grants and social investment in support of its objectives as well as actively engaging in policy and practice initiatives to bring about change in its fields of interest. The Foundation disseminates its findings widely through meetings and seminars with policy makers and practitioners, media work, publications and the Internet. Foundation For more information about our work go to www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1087053