Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Job description

We are seeking a new Trustee to lead Eating Better’s Board of Trustees and to contribute to the charity’s good governance, strategic development, financial planning and smooth coordination of the Eating Better alliance.

In the past year we have embarked on a journey to define our own Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion framework. You can access our live statement here. We acknowledge that this journey needs to start within our team and Trustees and would therefore particularly welcome expressions of interest from under-represented groups, which include, but are not limited to, people of colour, LGBTQIA+, different age groups and people with disabilities.

Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, people of colour and disabled people, who are all under-represented in the food systems and environmental sustainability sector, as well as within Eating Better. Our recruitment process is intended to be based on merit, fairness and inclusion. If, in addition, you would prefer to withhold any identifying information including your name, which might identify your background and which you feel may expose you to discrimination, you are welcome to do so. We will make necessary adjustments to make the recruitment process equally accessible to everyone, so please ask us if you need any additional support when applying.

Our mission

Eating Better is an alliance of 60+ civil society organisations, working to accelerate a 50% reduction in meat and dairy consumption by 2030 and to create an environment where healthy and sustainable diets are accessible and affordable to all. This will be better for the environment, our health, land use, animal welfare and social justice.

We are a registered charity (no. 1175669) governed by a Board of Trustees. We receive funding support from alliance members, trusts and foundations and individual donors. For a list of our current funders and to read our funding statement, click here.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a person who can help oversee the work of Eating Better from a governance perspective, as well as uphold the Eating Better alliance mission.

In particular, we seek someone who has experience working on issues that span and connect priorities and sectoral interests, is familiar with systems approaches to policy and practice, and has experience of fundraising, preferably within the non-profit sector. The Trustees’ fundamental role is to shape and support the strategic direction of Eating Better and help us convene the broad group of organisations that we collaborate with.

Role requirements

Key

• Experience of working at intersection of issues or across sectors
• Fundraising experience with trusts and foundations
• Non-profit sector experience

Welcomed

• Affinity to food systems change
• Communications experience

Personal attributes

Our Trustees value teamwork and friendly collaboration where everyone’s voice is heard.

• Personal and/or professional passion in Eating Better’s vision and approach relating to healthy and sustainable diets
• Generous with their expertise and networks to support Eating Better’s work
• Committed to the time requirement for the role

Remuneration

This is an unpaid role. All expenses related to carrying out the role will be reimbursed.

Term of service

The initial term is a minimum of 3 years, with the possibility of future renewal by mutual agreement.

Full role description

Our charity status means that our Trustees serve as the accountable body for sound financial and organisational management, working closely with the Executive Director and staff team. The Trustees also advise on alliance strategy and development.

Main responsibilities

• To lead the Trustee Board in the governance of the Charity, ensuring that the board has an adequate range of appropriate skills and experience, that it displays good judgement and common sense, and that Trustees act collectively
• To work with the Executive Director to ensure that the Charity complies with its charitable objectives
• To ensure, together with the Executive Director, that the Charity complies with charity law and relevant legislation
• To ensure, together with the Executive Director, that the Charity develops and implements policies and strategies to achieve its charitable objectives
• To ensure, together with the Executive Director and Treasurer, the financial stability of the Charity - in particular by leading the Board to adopt the annual budget, as well as monitoring regular financial reporting

Main duties

The Chair’s main tasks are to:

• Chair meetings of the Board and other meetings as required by the Board
• Ensure Trustees are fully aware of their responsibilities, duties and liabilities under English and Welsh charity law and company law
• To ensure Trustees have the appropriate level of information and briefing
• Encourage the Board to think strategically in order to agree overall strategy and policies for the Charity
• Ensure that business is dealt with efficiently, decisions are arrived at, recorded and implementation monitored
• Review the effectiveness and make-up of the Trustees on a bi-annual basis
• Meet with the Executive Director on a monthly basis to review progress and make plans
• Provide support and guidance as needed
• Undertake an annual performance appraisal of the Executive Director with input from other Trustees and staff members
• Delegate particular tasks to one or more Trustees as and when appropriate
• Ensure the Board is kept informed appropriately at all times

Time Commitment

In addition to the time likely to be required of every Trustee (quarterly Trustee meetings, a bi annual strategy meeting, our AGM), the Chair will need to, annually:

• Devote time to matters raised by the Executive Director, other staff, other Trustees between Board Meetings
• Participate in events and meetings at the request of the Executive Director and other Charity staff
• The time commitment required of the Chair is likely to be at least 24 days per annum (including Trustee activities)

Benefits of the role for trustees

• Make a significant contribution to the mission of the alliance
• Gain strategic, governance experience through overseeing the organisation
• Expand professional networks

Application information

Expression of interest

To be considered for the role please send your CV and a brief introduction to Myrto Williams. Application deadline is 5pm 8th December. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange an online interview with representatives from the trustees. If you would like to discuss this role, please contact us.

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