We are looking for dynamic, experienced and values aligned trustees to join our Global and Ghana Boards at this exciting stage of EduSpots’ development.
Background
EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.
Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance. Read our model of change document here.
Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually. Read our 2023 Annual Report here and our recent independent evaluation here.
We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model. In the period, we are aiming to double our network reach, bringing an additional 50 Spots into the network.
We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a winner of the 2025 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize Winner. Our CEO/Founder was a 2021 Global Finalist in the UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize and is a 2025 UNESCO Youth for Peace Young Leader
We are excited by our future.
About this voluntary role
Time: Approximately 4-8 hours per month
Location: Remote
Role type: Voluntary
Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and compliance of the charity with UK and Ghanaian law and Charity Commission guidance. Working alongside staff and advisory group members, they should maintain oversight of global strategy delivery, funding, finances and risk management. Most trustees also have a particular focus on one area of work, with a particular need for the following specialisms:
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Fundraising and partnerships (Ghana or global)
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Finance and operations (Ghana-based)
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Law and compliance (Ghana and Global)
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Communications, marketing, PR and advocacy (Ghana and Global)
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Leadership programmes and education (Ghana and Global)
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Monitoring, evaluation and learning (Ghana and Global)
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Organisational development and business planning in a scale-up context (Ghana and Global)
EduSpots seeks trustees and Directors who can understand and represent our work, including those who have experience living or working in Ghana, or who have links to wider West Africa.
Trustees are expected to join online board meetings four times a year, with an aim to make one of these an in-person meeting.
Trustees should be hands-on team players with a genuine passion for educational equity and community-driven models of development.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
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Ensuring the board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity, including but not limited to operating within its charitable objectives, reviewing and responding to major risks and opportunities and ensuring strong systems are in place to ensure financial accountability.
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Taking ownership for one thematic area of work, and providing high level guidance and advice to the staff team on that topic.
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Attending quarterly Board meetings, reading documents in advance and actively participating in discussions.
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Actively promoting the organisation’s work through their networks and positively representing the organisation at all times.
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Supporting the CEO and key senior staff through informed questioning and oversight to ensure the organisation’s legal responsibilities and strategic objectives are achieved.
Desired Skills / Experience
Knowledge & Experience
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Experience of charity governance.
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Experience in leading the strategy of an organisation.
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Ability to support and inspire a fast-paced, ambitious team.
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Experience of working in an education-focused charity or business, ideally within an African context.
Personal Qualities & Skills
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A genuine passion for our educational model, and community-driven development.
- strong listener, with an ability to understand the context and model first, before offering input.
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A team player, aligned with our collaborative model of organisational development.
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Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to create positive working relationships and motivate staff, volunteers, and a range of stakeholders at all levels in a cross-cultural environment.
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Ability to foster a culture of respect, honesty and commitment to our values and organisational aims.
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!
Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents. They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).
The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:
· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.
· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.
· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.
· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.
· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.
· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.
· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.
· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.
· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.
· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.
· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.
· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.
· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Working hours/commitment
All trustees are required to:
· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.
· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.
Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings. This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our Board and help shape the future of our work. We are also seeking a new Chair of the Board of Trustees.
We are looking for dedicated, creative people, of all ages, with a range of professional and life experience to join the Age UK Stockport Board of Trustees.
Being a trustee or Chair of any charity, including ours, is to be an active volunteer in your community. Like any volunteer involved in our work, our aim is for you to enjoy what you do with us, know how you contribute towards our work and see the positive impact that you have on people’s lives.
But it’s not the easiest volunteering role! It can be challenging, but rewarding, and a big responsibility. Trustees have collective legal responsibilities – you work together for the best interests of Age UK Stockport and for the people in later life we work with across the borough. We will tell you more about these responsibilities elsewhere in the pack.
If you’re passionate about supporting everyone to make the most of their later life, and you have the skills and experience to help shape and guide our organisation to achieve our vision, we’d like to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.