Description

Reference: FEB20250451
Expiry date: 23:59, Sun, 23rd Mar 2025
Location: Flexible in UK
Salary: Voluntary
Benefits: Voluntary Position

We are seeking a candidate with extensive knowledge and experience in conservation science who is passionate about protecting and restoring nature as a Council Member to join our other trustees and lead the RSPB to speak up for nature, to ensure that nature and green spaces are enjoyed by urban populations as well as those living in the countryside, and to help spread the word that everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment, as well as a right to enjoy and benefit from its natural beauty.

What you will be doing

RSPB Council is the controlling body of the RSPB and have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the organisation, ensuring it is solvent, well run, compliant with the law and its governing document, and delivering the outcomes for which it was set up. You will play a vital role in shaping our strategic direction, ensuring good governance and using your expertise to help us achieve our goals. This is a voluntary role that offers the opportunity to make a real impact on nature conservation.

The Council comprises of twelve Trustees including the chair. The Council is supported by 10 committees. Three of these, are composed largely of council members.  Members are expected to attend meetings which are held quarterly. Council members are expected to attend four meetings a year as well as participate in occasional sub-committees and events. The role is voluntary but reasonable expensed will be reimbursed.

The skills you need

Trustees come from backgrounds which together cover the range of Council functions and form a geographic and demographic spread. We are looking for passionate individuals who are willing and interested in committing their time, thoughts and energy to the environmental movement., to engage their external networks and peers with enthusiasm, energy and champion the values and mission of the RSPB. Most importantly a council member should act with accountability and in the best interests of the RSPB. It is important to us that our council members have an understanding of diverse communities who may not have historically engaged with the RSPB, and a connection to those communities. The council should aim to be reflective of the community and civil society within the jurisdiction where they are based.

Council Members should be willing to build an understanding of RSPB’s operating environment, from the perspective of a large and complex charity operating in challenging times and building resilience to manage change in a contested world, alert to the likely future trends in policy and practice. Council Members are proactive and seek opportunities to work alongside the wider workforce to promote interest in the work of the Society, including membership, to help promote the influence and policy agenda of the Society, and represent the charity to its stakeholders.