We are seeking a new Trustee with fundraising experience who is passionate about our vision, mission and values, to support the Animal Free Research UK board and team in achieving our charitable aims.
Who we are
Animal Free Research UK is the leading charity working to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering. By pioneering excellence, inspiring and supporting scientists and influencing change, we are ending the use of animals and improving medical research.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking a new Trustee with a fundraising background to support the Animal Free Research UK Board and team in achieving our charitable aims.
We are looking for an individual with extensive experience in generating funds for charitable causes, incorporating both traditional fundraising methods and innovative efforts incorporating new streams. You should have a robust understanding of fundraising regulation and governance, with demonstrable experience in this area. You would devote your time and expertise to support us in maximising the revenue generated by our charity, ensuring our compliance and inspiring innovation. This opportunity will give you the chance to not only contribute with your experience and leadership in the sector, but also to inform and engage more supporters and the public at large on how we can consistently grow our programmes and drive to create a world where human diseases are cured faster with animal-free, human relevant alternatives.
Income generation is the legal responsibility of all trustees, therefore this role will also be to champion and develop best fundraising practice within the Board. Previous experience of being a Trustee is not necessary as a full induction and ongoing support will be provided.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Animal Free Research UK. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. We will support you to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best.
Board meetings and time commitment
The Board ordinarily meets four times per year in March, May, August and November. Two of these meetings are held remotely via video call on a Saturday, and two are held in person in London across weekends. In addition, Trustees are encouraged to join a Committee relevant to their area of expertise which meets at least once per quarter via video call. An appropriate time commitment will be required over the course of the year for preparative work between meetings. Trustees are also invited to attend occasional charity events and join recruitment panels on an ad hoc basis.
Following a probationary period where Trustee-elects attend at least 3 board meetings, appointed Trustees serve a 3-year term, with the option to renew for a further 3 years.This is a pivot role on our Board and you will be expected to play a key part in shaping strategy and sharing knowledge and expertise with other Trustees. Trusteeship is an unremunerated position, though reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid.
If this opportunity to join a charity with income of circa £1m but significant ambition for growth appeals to you, and you have fundraising expertise and a commitment to our vision of a world where animal-free, human-specific technologies secure breakthroughs for patients then we’d like to hear from you.
Role description
The role of a Trustee encompasses six key responsibilities (in partnership with other Trustees):
1. Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
You and your co-Trustees must make sure that the charity’s assets and resources are only used for the purposes for which the charity was set up. This extends to the charity’s fundraising activities. This means you should:
• ensure you understand the charity’s purposes as set out in its governing document
• plan what your charity will do, and what you want it to achieve
• be able to explain how all of the charity’s activities are intended to further or support its purposes
• understand how the charity benefits the public by carrying out its purposes
Spending charity funds on the wrong purposes is a very serious matter; in some cases Trustees may have to reimburse the charity personally.
2. Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
You and your co-Trustees must:
• make sure that the charity complies with its governing document
• comply with charity law requirements and other laws that apply to your charity
• take reasonable steps to find out about legal requirements, for example, by reading relevant guidance or taking appropriate advice when you need to
3. Act in your charity’s best interests
You must:
• do what you and your co-Trustees (and no one else) decide will best enable the charity to carry out its purposes
• with your co-Trustees, make balanced and adequately informed decisions, thinking about the long term as well as the short term
• avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to your charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body
• not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity’s interests; this also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child or business partner
4. Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
You must act responsibly, reasonably and honestly. This is sometimes called the duty of prudence. Prudence is about exercising sound judgement. You and your co-Trustees must:
• make sure the charity’s assets are only used to support or carry out its purposes
• avoid exposing the charity’s assets, beneficiaries or reputation to undue risk
• not over-commit the charity
• take special care when investing or borrowing
• comply with any restrictions on spending funds or selling land
You and your co-Trustees should put appropriate procedures and safeguards in place and take reasonable steps to ensure that these are followed. Otherwise you risk making the charity vulnerable to fraud or theft, or other kinds of abuse, and being in breach of your duty.
5. Act with reasonable care and skill
As someone responsible for governing a charity, you must:
• use reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary
• give enough time, thought and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all Trustees’ meetings
6. Ensure your charity is accountable
You and your co-Trustees must comply with statutory accounting and reporting requirements. You should also:
• be able to demonstrate that your charity is complying with the law, well run and effective
• ensure appropriate accountability to members, if your charity has a membership separate from the Trustees
• ensure accountability within the charity, particularly where you delegate responsibility for particular tasks or decisions to staff or volunteers
In addition to the six key responsibilities, a Trustee should be willing to:
• Represent the organisation as required
• Promote the organisation to a wide range of stakeholders.