Vacancies

Vacancies for two Sustainable Future committeee members  

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) wishes to appoint two, co-opted members to serve on its Sustainable Future committee from March 2021. In response to the needs of the programme, the Committee are looking for an individual with experience and expertise from the fields of sustainable or ethical finance, and in addition, would value the perspective of someone who is actively involved in youth activism or movement-building. Both appointments would support quality decision-making in the grant committee meetings.

Under the Sustainable Future programme, which was launched in 2014 to provide dedicated grants in the climate justice field, the Trust supports work which builds support for, and understanding of, alternative forms of organising economies and societies which allow people and the planet to thrive. Part of this is an end to the current carbon-dependent economics.

The Trust recognises that historically, the environment movement has not been representative of all those who both suffer under climate harms and who have lived experience and knowledge to bring to the solutions to the crisis. To that end, the ‘New Voices’ strand of the programme is committed to expanding the movement and ensuring that under-represented communities are centred.

The Sustainable Future programme makes grants primarily in the UK, and is committed to addressing the root causes of the problems of climate crisis, consumerism and growth-centred economics. We are a responsive grant-maker, and we believe that the knowledge required to bring about justice sits with those who are already doing the work. The full details of the programme can be found at https://www.jrct.org.uk/sustainable-future.

JRCT is an endowed, charitable Quaker foundation based in York, England. The Sustainable Future Committee currently comprises four members of JRCT’s board of trustees, together with two co-opted members, supported by two staff. Further information on the history, structure and work of the Trust can be found on our website www.jrct.org.uk .

What is involved?

The role of a co-opted member is to strengthen the trustees’ grant-making knowledge. Co-optees contribute to reflections on the context within which we make our grants, which new applications to support and ongoing critical input for existing grant-holders. Knowledge of the policy landscape is important, as is an awareness of key organisations working in the field. An understanding of the broader context around climate, and/or knowing how small organisations, charities, community groups or campaigns work is also of benefit.

The main work of the committee is assessing grant applications. Co-opted members are fully involved in this process, which includes reading and commenting on a group of proposals three times a year, and contributing at the meetings of the committee. The committee usually meets three times a year, typically in February, June and November. These meetings are usually in central London, and typically run from 10:30 to 15.30. As the pandemic has helped us understand, online meetings can be helpful in allowing people to participate. We would be open to successful applicants attending some meetings in person and some online.

In addition, co-optees are also expected to participate in assessment meetings with applicants. This commitment is variable, but typically might require two days during the year, usually in London. Sustainable Future holds two, concurrent days of assessment meetings per grant round. The committee also benefits from the thinking and insights of the co-opted members in relation to the sector, policy developments and opportunities for progressive change in the field.

 The appointment would be for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal for a further period of three years. All reasonable expenses are paid including travel and cost of childcare.We’ll meet claims towards loss of earnings incurred as a result of working for the Trust. We ensure financial concerns aren’t an obstacle to committee membership. If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to speak to us.

Person specification

The Sustainable Future Committee is seeking co-optees who will be able to contribute effectively to the full range of the committee’s work. The Trust is particularly interested in attracting individuals that are actively engaged in, and have relevant up-to-date understanding of, social movements and their role in stimulating progress in at least one of the key areas of focus for the programme, and / or who have knowledge and experience of the role of ethical and sustainable finance in developing more just and climate-friendly economies.

Co-optees are expected to have some understanding of the voluntary sector, but could themselves be working in, or have a background in, any sector. We aim to ensure the committee is as diverse as possible and would particularly welcome applications from young people, who are currently under-represented on our committee.

Co-optees should be in sympathy with the Quaker values of the Trust, which include a commitment to equality and the worth of every individual, to nonviolence, and to honesty and integrity. JRCT would welcome applications from Quakers, but this is by no means a requirement.

Please note

JRCT operates a conflicts of interest policy in respect of all its programme areas. Applicants are requested to fully disclose professional associations with any former or current JRCT grantees. Ideally, the Trust seeks to appoint individuals who are not directly involved with organisations that are likely to seek funding from the Trust. We do have a policy to manage occasional conflicts of interest that may arise.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sophie Long on +44 (0)1904 627810 or sophie.long@jrct.org.uk

To apply, please send us:

• A statement, of not more than 250 words, describing what you would bring to the role
• A current CV
• Your contact details

Please send us this information by email to: sophie.long@jrct.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 18 December 2020.

All applications will be acknowledged. If we are interested in appointing you, we will arrange a video call meeting to discuss this further. Meetings will take place in January 2021.