Charity Trustee

About the charity

The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre is a registered charity (number 1210189) working to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome reptiles and amphibians. We also provide educational visits and activities for schools, community groups and care homes.

We are recruiting three trustees to help oversee the charity and shape its next stage of development.

The role

Trustees share responsibility for the charity’s governance and strategic direction. They help ensure that it is well run, financially responsible and focused on its charitable purposes. Trustees make decisions collectively with the board and act in the best interests of the charity.

This is a voluntary governance role. It does not require you to take part in the charity’s day-to-day animal care or operations.

Key responsibilities

• Help set the charity’s strategy and review progress against its aims.
• Make decisions in the charity’s best interests and support its charitable purposes.
• Oversee the charity’s finances, risks and use of resources.
• Help ensure appropriate governance, policies and procedures are in place.
• Provide oversight of animal welfare, safeguarding and health and safety.
• Support the charity’s long-term sustainability, including fundraising and development.
• Attend board meetings, prepare by reading relevant papers and contribute to discussions.
• Declare and manage any conflicts of interest.
• Work constructively with fellow trustees and support collective board decisions.

Person specification

We are looking for people who:

• Care about the charity’s work and are committed to its purpose.
• Can consider information carefully, ask questions and make balanced decisions.
• Can work respectfully with people who bring different views and experience.
• Are willing to prepare for meetings and contribute reliably.
• Understand that trustees share responsibility for the charity’s governance.

We welcome applications from people with experience in areas such as finance, fundraising, charity governance, safeguarding, law, human resources, communications, education, business development, animal welfare or veterinary services. Experience keeping or caring for reptiles would be useful but is not essential. Previous trustee experience is not required.

Time and location

The role is based in West Sussex. Trustees are expected to attend regular board meetings and allow time to read papers and take part in occasional work between meetings. The meeting schedule and expected time commitment will be discussed with applicants.