Trustee: Youth Sector Expertise

Background

The Jack Petchey Foundation Board currently comprises of nine Trustees, who meet four times a year. The Board's role is to provide strategic leadership, oversight and support to the Foundation and its senior leadership team, ensuring that JPF remains focused on delivering positive outcomes for young people. There is also a Governance, Remuneration and Staffing Committee, which meets four times a year to support the work of the Board. A new Trustee with significant financial expertise will be joining the Board in Autumn 2026. We are seeking an additional Trustee with significant youth sector experience and, ideally, safeguarding expertise to strengthen the Board's capability in these key areas.

Duties and responsibilities

The JPF Board is responsible for JPF's overall strategic direction and compliance with UK Company and Charity law. In line with charity commission outlines, the duties of our Trustees are as follows:

1. To ensure that JPF complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

2. To ensure that the work of JPF develops in accordance with its core mission, vision and values and pursues the core objectives as defined in its Strategic Plan.

3. To ensure that JPF uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.

4. To contribute actively to the Board in providing strategic direction to JPF, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

5. To safeguard the good name and values of JPF.

6. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of JPF through appropriate guidance and support of the Chief Executive Officer.

7. To ensure the financial stability of JPF and manage risk.

8. To protect and manage the property of JPF and to ensure the proper use and investment of JPF resources.

9. To attend Board meetings (currently 4 a year, usually on a weekday), scrutinising board papers and using any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board reach sound decisions.

10. To ensure a good understanding of the work JPF delivers on the ground, act as a representative for JPF externally and to network with key beneficiaries and supporters of the charity.

11. To provide guidance on new initiatives as appropriate to your background skills, experience and interests. As a Trustee of JPF you will carry shared legal responsibility for the business of the charity. Upon appointment you will be required to sign a declaration to confirm your ability to carry out these responsibilities.

Role focus

Youth Sector Expertise:

1. Advise the Board on youth engagement, youth work practice, and sector developments.

2. Strengthen the Board's understanding of youth voice, participation, and inclusion.

3. Input to ensure programmes are evidence-based and impactful.

Safeguarding (desirable depending on the Trustee's skills and experience):

1. Support the Board's oversight of safeguarding policy and practice.

2. Offer guidance on emerging safeguarding risks affecting young people.

3. A willingness to act as the Board's deputy safeguarding lead trustee.

Person Specification

The Board seeks applications from people who meet the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Values

Ambition to deliver JPF's mission, vision and values

Demonstrable commitment to supporting youth voice

Skills/Knowledge

Understanding of the issues facing young people and youth organisations in London and/or Essex

Knowledge/experience of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Ability to make strategic decisions at Trustee level

Ability to challenge appropriately, manage difficult conversations and share your views with transparency

Ability to understand and interpret detailed and complex written information

Experience

Significant youth sector expertise (11-25 year olds)

Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees

Desirable Criteria

Professional safeguarding expertise (e.g. acted as a Designated or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, or held lead safeguarding responsibility in a youth organisation, school or other relevant organisation)

Professional experience of grant-making

Working knowledge of digital technology, including communications and marketing/data protection/AI/ cyber security

Health and safety expertise

Knowledge of the Youth Sector in London / Essex

Terms of Appointment

• To be eligible you need to be aged over 18 at the time of appointment.

• A Trustee is to serve the Board for a term of 3 years, with the potential for reappointment, to a maximum of three terms (9 in total).

• Appointment will be made following Application, Interview and Board approval.

• A Trustee may be removed by a majority decision of the Board.

• A Trustee may give notice of resignation at any time (ideally 6 months' notice to assist with succession planning).

Time Commitment

• 4 Board meetings per year (which usually fall between 9am-5pm on a weekday), these are held in person at the JPF office in Canary Wharf.

• Up to 4 committee meetings per year, if on a committee (online and/or in person where necessary).

• One annual strategy meeting, in person at an external location.

• Attendance and representation at as many of our internal and external events as possible, which take place across London and Essex.

Training

A personalised induction to the role will be arranged upon appointment. Trustees will be supported by JPF and further relevant training will be offered as required.

Expenses

The role of Trustee is voluntary and unremunerated; Trustees do not receive any payment for undertaking the role itself. Reasonable expenses in connection with JPF Trustee duties i.e. attending meetings/events will be payable upon receipt of claim form.