Democracy volunteer roles in Charing cross, greater london
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Board Trustees
Voluntary, unpaid role (expenses paid)
Quarterly online meetings + one in-person strategy meeting annually
Help shape the future of local government
For more than 40 years, LGIU has been a trusted partner to local government. We empower councils with the capabilities, practical insight and connections they need to lead change and build thriving communities.
Today, local government is operating in an environment of accelerating change and unprecedented complexity. Councils are navigating deepening financial pressures, rising demand across frontline services, structural reform, political volatility and widening inequalities, often simultaneously. These are not isolated challenges and they cannot be solved through piecemeal or one-size-fits-all approaches.
At LGIU, we believe national success is built on strong local foundations. We also believe the future of local government will be shaped not by institutions working alone, but through collaboration, innovation and shared leadership across the sector.
That is why we are seeking up to five external Trustees to join our Board and help guide the next phase of LGIU.
About LGIU
LGIU is a non-partisan membership organisation and registered charity working with more than 260 councils across the UK and internationally. We are an independent voice for local government and a leading hub for ideas, research, practical intelligence and sector collaboration.
We help councils:
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Make sense of emerging trends and policy change
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Learn from peers facing similar challenges
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Build organisational capability and resilience
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Co-create solutions to complex problems
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Shape national debates and reform agendas
Our work spans research, policy, events, international learning, leadership support and cross-sector partnerships. Increasingly, our focus is on helping local government move from complexity to clarity to action.
The opportunity
LGIU is owned and governed by its members. The current Board is composed of leaders and other senior elected members from our membership. As part of a set of wider governance changes, we are now seeking to augment our board with up to five external trustees.
As an external Trustee, you will join a collaborative and ambitious Board responsible for the strategic direction, governance and long-term sustainability of the charity and its subsidiaries. You will work alongside fellow trustees, the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer to help ensure LGIU continues to evolve, grow and deliver meaningful impact for councils and communities.
We are particularly interested in individuals who can bring strategic insight, external perspective and senior leadership experience in one or more of the following priority areas:
Public sector system leadership: Current or former senior leaders from local government, the NHS or wider public services, with experience of leading complex organisations through change, reform and uncertainty.
Business model development and commercialisation: Experience of organisational growth, partnerships, income diversification, membership models, commercial strategy or sustainable business development.
Technology and innovation: Expertise in digital transformation, AI, innovation, product development, technology-enabled change or future-focused organisational leadership.
These areas reflect the Board’s agreed strategic priorities as LGIU continues to evolve its model, expand its reach and strengthen its role as a partner for change across the sector.
We would also welcome candidates with expertise in communications and marketing, workforce development, research, membership organisations or international collaboration.
What we are looking for
We are seeking people who:
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Care deeply about the future of local government and local democracy
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Bring strategic thinking, sound judgement and curiosity
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Are comfortable navigating complexity and change
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Can contribute constructively to governance and strategic discussions
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Understand collaboration, partnership and systems leadership
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Are committed to inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives
Previous trustee experience is welcome but not essential.
We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities that local government serves, and we strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
Time commitment
This is a voluntary, unpaid role.
The expected commitment includes:
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Four quarterly online Board meetings each year
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One annual face-to-face strategy meeting or away day
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Reading and preparation time in advance of meetings
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Occasional participation in sub-committees or advisory discussions
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future direction of one of the sector’s most respected and influential organisations at a critical moment for local government.
You will join a Board committed to helping councils become more resilient, agile, connected and future-ready - and to ensuring local government has the ideas, evidence, partnerships and leadership it needs to meet the challenges ahead.
As a Trustee, you will help strengthen an organisation that works every day to empower local government to think big, act boldly and shape the future with confidence.
How to apply
To express interest, please submit:
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A CV
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A short supporting statement outlining your interest in the role and the experience you would bring to the Board
Closing date: 26th June 2026
Please also see the advert attached with contact details if you would like to have an informal conversation about the opportunity.
Registered Charity The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Next available volunteering role: June 2026
The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to welcome Turkish speaking volunteers to work within the Institute’s Programmes Team. Key areas of focus include conflict resolution and democratic transition processes in Turkey and Syria. Each volunteer will have the opportunity to work closely with – and learn from – the Programme Manager and other team members in planning and implementing DPI project activities, which include roundtable meetings in the region and international comparative study visits, as well as conducting project related research in the Institute’s main areas of interest, which include governance and constitutional reform; DDR and SSR; gender and conflict; the role of the media in conflict resolution and democratic reform process; and transitional justice among others.
DPI seeks candidates with a strong interest in international relations, conflict resolution and democracy building. These volunteer placements begin on a rolling basis and typically last three to six months, are unpaid, and preferably full time. A daily stipend is provided for lunch expenses. The successful candidates are likely to be current or recent postgraduates or at post-doctoral level.
Candidate Profile Project Skills:
The successful candidates may be invited to attend external conferences and DPI activities both in Turkey and elsewhere, and to write briefs and take detailed notes on behalf of the Institute, therefore touch-typing/transcribing experience is valued. Projects involve a high level of external communication with the diverse stakeholders engaged with DPI’s work, therefore excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
Much of this role will involve administrative assistance to the Programme Manager, including drafting correspondence and filing documentation. Administrative and organisational skills are key, and an enthusiasm for carrying out practical tasks in addition to research or activity related work is necessary in this role. These may include budget preparation, completion of expense reports, logistical planning and assistance.
The successful candidate will be invited to carry out in-depth desk research on behalf of DPI, which will feed into the Institute’s activities. This may include detailed research projects relating to the Institute’s main areas of work, high level briefs, and shorter, ad-hoc research tasks. Excellent research, writing and proofreading skills are highly valued. Many research papers worked on by interns are published on the Institute’s website and used as a resource for programme activities and meetings.
DPI’s Programmes Team operates within a fast paced environment, often planning and implementing ambitious projects to tight deadlines and within high pressured contexts on the ground. It is important that the successful candidate is self-motivated and able to work successfully independently and with minimal supervision.
IT skills are essential (Word, Adobe, PowerPoint) and project management experience is welcome.
Experience with various social media platforms and with social media strategy is an advantage.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven interest in and knowledge of DPI’s areas of focus; namely conflict resolution and democratic advancement (including but not limited to the MENA region).
The successful candidate will have an excellent command of written and spoken English and Turkish
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.