Why we want you

We are seeking a candidate who lives in Northern Ireland and 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 its core purpose. 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 and is supported by 10 committees. Three committees are composed largely of council members and you would be expected to attend quarterly meetings. Council members also attend four council meetings per annum and participate in occasional sub-committees and events. The role is voluntary but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

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. They 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 managing 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 in the promotion of interest in the work of the Society, including membership, to help promote the influence and policy agenda of the Society, and to represent the charity to its stakeholders.

We are particularly keen to hear from those with expertise in the following areas:

Personal Capabilities

Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Ability to make sound and impartial decisions
Commitment to the mission and values of the charity
Willingness to dedicate time and effort to Council meetings and activities

Inter-Personal Capabilities

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Strong communication and influencing skills
Willingness to challenge constructively and contribute to debate
Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including funders, policymakers, and local communities

Contextual Knowledge

Understanding of environmental and conservation challenges
Awareness of the regulatory and legal responsibilities of charities and trustees
Familiarity with the broader non-profit sector and fundraising environment

Technical Knowledge

Chairing Skills, Experience in leading meetings, setting agendas, and ensuring effective decision-making
Experience of Commerce, Expertise in business strategy, financial oversight, and income generation
Experience of Digital Skills Knowledge of digital communications, data management, online engagement, or IT governance

Essential criteria

Resident of Northern Ireland with a strong connection to local communities.

What's in it for you

The opportunity to know you are helping to make a difference for wildlife and the environment by providing good governance and leadership. An opportunity to lead the operations of the charity where decisions will have a lasting impact on stakeholders and advise and direct the RSPB on the appropriateness of its policies, budget decisions, contributing to and influencing the development of the strategy and delivery of its charitable work.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are an inclusive organisation and are actively encouraging people from underrepresented groups including people from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply. We recognise that we are currently underrepresented in this area and would welcome the contribution from diverse backgrounds to help us better reflect the communities we serve. We want our Council Members to reflect and uphold a commitment to diversity and inclusion. We aim to encompass and demonstrate great diversity of experience, psychology, perspective and community in Council, that reflects our operations across the UK, in both rural and urban areas, including areas of significant economic marginalisation.

Trustee jobs

RSPB Council Member for Northern Ireland