THE SPACE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY TRUST
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
POSITION DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Space Science Technology Trust (the Trust) will be established as a Charitable Trust in New
Zealand. The Trust will be the major shareholder in the limited liability company, Centre for Space
Science Technology Ltd (the Company).
The Trust will be overseen by a Board of Trustees. The position description for these Trustees
follows.
RESPONSIBLE TO
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The Chair of the Board of Trustees
The other members of the Board of Trustees
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
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1
To ensure that the Centre for Space Science Technology adheres to its vision, mission,
principles and underlying philosophy1.
To ensure the Trust is consistent with its charitable purposes, as per the Objects defined in
the Trust Deed:
o To educate and inform communities across New Zealand in respect of the science
and use of space-based measurement technologies, data products and services.
o To support research in respect of the science and use of space-based measurement
technologies, data products and services.
o To train educators in relation to the subject of the science and use of space-based
measurement technologies, data products and services.
o To do anything else within New Zealand that is necessary or expedient to advancing
any of these objects.
o To do anything else which is exclusively charitable and which benefits communities
within New Zealand.
See http://www.csst.co.nz/about-us/core-values-and-guiding-principles/
EXPECTATIONS OF TRUST MEMBERS
Trustees are expected to:
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Prepare adequately for all Trust meetings, by reading previous minutes or reports, and other
relevant documentation.
Regularly attend and participate fully in Trust meetings, by providing active and thoughtful
contribution.
Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments (in accordance with their skill or knowledge
base) and to complete these assignments thoroughly and on time.
Develop a collegial working relationship with other Trustees.
Ensure that all the Trust’s objectives are being addressed, and that this is consistent with the
vision, definition and mission of the Trust.
Represent the Trust in a manner consistent with its vision, definition, mission and policies.
Provide a guardianship role for the Company.
COMPETENCIES
Trustees are expected to exhibit competencies in many or most of the domain fields detailed below.
Legal:
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Ability to ensure that the Trust complies with its Articles of Association and Trust Deed, New
Zealand charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
Ability to act as a guardian of the Company’s interests in so far as identifying potential risks
to the Company’s standing in the community, and implement action to mitigate those risks.
Involvement/experience as a member of a charitable trust board sufficient to ensure that
the policies and practices of the Trust are in keeping with its charitable objectives.
Strategic:
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Ability to identify and critically assess strategic opportunities and threats to the Company.
Ability to define the scope and nature of long-term strategy development to be undertaken
by the Board of Directors.
Operational:
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Ability to represent the communities associated with that appointment, including knowledge
of how the Company can serve those communities.
Experience in accounting/finance sufficient to interpret the Company’s financial state.
Ability to set realistic targets for long-term financial planning by the Board of Directors,
including providing input to the Board of Director’s decisions on areas requiring investment.
Governance:
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Ensure that the Company’s actions, to the extent permitted by financial viability, fulfils its
charitable purpose and ensures that the Company provides value to communities where the
objects of the Trust are being pursued.
Knowledge of the Company including the history of the development of the Company
concept, engagement with stakeholders during the development of the Company concept
proposal and business case.
Local governance/public service experience in Central Otago and/or a well respected public
profile in Otago/New Zealand with wide-reaching collaborative networks.