For nearly 50 years Practical Action has been working closely with some of the world’s poorest people – helping them to use often simple and always appropriate technology to fight poverty and transform their lives for the better. Our work seeks to influence the policies and practices of other organisations and decision makers to increase technology options and justice for poor people.

We are a growing organisation with annual income of around £30m. We have programmes of work in Latin America, South Asia, Southern and East Africa and two subsidiaries providing consulting and publishing services. Our 5 year strategy focuses on access to energy, water and sanitation services, sustainable agriculture and disaster risk reduction and aims to improve the lives of 6 million people directly and 25 million indirectly.

We are looking for 3 or 4 Trustees to join the Board over the coming 12 months. The Board of Trustees ensures Practical Action delivers on its mission of technology justice, using technology to challenge poverty. It has a key role in overseeing and steering Practical Action. It provides challenge and support to the strong Senior Leadership Team composed of the CEO, Country Directors and UK based functional Directors. We look for interest and empathy with our mission and work, ability to provide valuable oversight and strategic judgement and a capacity to address complex issues collaboratively. At this juncture, we would particularly welcome applications from people with any of the following:

• a strong business background

• finance or marketing in the private or charity sectors

• an international development background working in strategy, evaluation, policy or advocacy

• involvement in examining future technologies and their application to pro poor issues

We want to maintain and strengthen the diversity of our Trustee Board – background, gender, age. We would particularly welcome interest from experienced people with strong links to Eastern and Southern Africa, South Asia or Latin America. Four Trustees Meetings are held each year – two in Rugby and two in London although Trustees are encouraged to engage more often with staff.

To apply please click on Apply Now below to download the relevant documents. Then send us a covering letter explaining why you feel you would make a good trustee and outlining your skills, qualifications and experiences that you feel you have for the role.

With this please attach a copy of your CV including contact details, formal qualifications and training and a short career history.

It would be helpful to us is you could complete the Equal Opportunities form available as part of this pack. This is used for statistical analysis at the end of our recruitment campaigns and does not form part of the selection process.
The closing date for applications is Friday 17 April 2015.

Please submit your applications by email to: pat.adey@practicalaction.org.uk or post to Mrs Pat Adey, Company & Committee Secretary, Practical Action, The Schumacher Centre, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby Warks, CV23 9QZ.

If you have any queries please contact Pat Adey on tel: 01926 634407