Community volunteer roles

Trustee

Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action

London, Greater London (Hybrid)

Unpaid role, expenses paid

Voluntary

Charity Support ∙ Community Development ∙ Diversity and Inclusion ∙ Environment ∙ Youth and Children

Using Anonymous Recruitment

Actively Interviewing

Save Saved

Job description

We’re recruiting a new trustee with legal expertise, ideally in charity law, to join our board. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a pioneering social innovation charity with a 30-year history and help shape our future strategy.

About CIVA

CIVA aims to find new solutions to social problems by promoting entrepreneurship and supporting social entrepreneurs, primarily in the UK. Our focus is on innovation: backing solutions that can become self-sustaining and deliver lasting social impact, in areas including social mobility, minority rights and climate change.

Our work includes incubating social entrepreneurs, acting as fiscal host for individuals and emerging organisations, running a small number of donor-advised funds, and CIVA:Invests, an early-stage social investment fund. CIVA is an initiator and networker; we don’t run large projects ourselves.

CIVA was founded in 1995 by Michael Norton CBE, who also founded the Directory of Social Change. We have a board of nine trustees from a range of backgrounds, one member of staff, and a consultant supporting the board.

An exciting time to join

After 30 years of pioneering social innovation, CIVA is entering a new chapter. Our Founder and Honorary Director is moving into an advisory role through a planned, well-supported transition, and the board is leading a strategic review of how CIVA can best support social innovation and partner with others to maximise social impact.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future direction of an established charity. We’re looking for a trustee who can bring a legal perspective into board discussions as we develop our strategy, governance and partnerships.

About the role

Alongside the general responsibilities of a trustee, we’d welcome your input on:

Helping the board understand and meet its legal duties under charity and company law, and ensuring our governance supports our ambitions as we grow into our new strategy.
Advising on governance changes arising from the transition, such as delegated authorities, the role of the Director, and any updates to our governing document.
Providing a legal perspective on the strategic review, including the implications of new partnerships and ways of working with other organisations.
Giving input on legal aspects of our activities, such as fiscal hosting arrangements, donor-advised funds, and the loan and investment agreements made through CIVA:Invests.
Contributing to the board’s oversight of risk, including the risk register.
Advising on when CIVA should seek formal external legal advice.

The role is to bring a legal perspective to the board; you would not be acting as CIVA’s legal adviser.

Time commitment

There are four board meetings a year, three held online and one in person, plus an in-person away day in June. Trustees are expected to attend and to read board papers in advance. The Investment Committee, which oversees CIVA:Invests, meets quarterly and all trustees are welcome to attend. We estimate the overall commitment at around two days a month on average. Trustees serve an initial three-year term, up to a maximum of nine years.

The person

General

An interest in charities, social enterprise and the causes CIVA supports.
Enthusiasm for being part of a trustee board during a period of change.
The time and availability to attend meetings and contribute between them.

Specific to this position

A legal background, such as a qualified solicitor or barrister, or significant legal experience in another capacity.
Ideally, experience of charity law and charity governance.
An appreciation of the needs and risks of small organisations.

Diversity

CIVA wants its board to reflect the diverse groups we work with. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, women, and younger professionals, including those earlier in their legal careers. You don’t need previous trustee experience.

How to apply