Trustees

Restless Development Trustees

Apply by : 31st November 2026

About Restless Development

Restless Development is a globally connected, locally led network incubating youth-led change. For 40 years, we’ve supported young people to take on the world’s biggest challenges. We shift power and resources directly to young people, equipping them with leadership skills, and connecting them with their peers and decision makers to drive long-term change. We run youth-led programmes to tackle the issues that young people care about the most. We also run the Youth Collective a growing network of over 5000 local youth civil society groups and organisations in 185 countries. We are committed to creating an agency that walks the talk on power shifting, using the power shifting checklist, both internally and externally.

We are also proud to have received Silver award in the Global Good Employer of the Year category at the 2026 Global Good Awards. This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a positive impact both within our organisation, through how we support and develop our people, and externally, through the difference we make in the communities we serve.

Our approach to safeguarding

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.

More information about Restless Development:

• Restless Development Strategy
• Youth Collective
• Power Shifting Checklist
• We Are Restless Blog

ABOUT THE TRUSTEE

Here at Restless, we’re building a progressive, forward thinking locally-led, globally connected network where our people and purpose are central to everything we do. The financial sustainability and growth of our organisation are crucial to our mission of achieving a just and sustainable world for all. We are a people centered agency - that believes in the power of young people to lead change. We are a values based employer - placing a focus on culture, equity, wellbeing, safeguarding and power shifting in all that we do.

We are seeking skilled individuals with expertise in strategy, governance or fundraising to join our Global Board of Trustees. We strongly encourage applications from young people under the age of 35. You will bring fresh perspectives to the way we are governed, strengthen our long-term sustainability, and help us navigate a rapidly changing funding landscape. As a member of the Board, you will contribute to the governance, strategy and decision-making of the Locally-led, Globally-connected Network while supporting us through a period of transformation. You will also serve on one of the committees that feed into the Board Strategy, Business or People, using your specialist expertise to advise the Board and our internal teams.

What you will do:

• Provide strategic oversight of the agency, ensuring accountability and alignment with Restless Development's mission and values.
• Contribute to strategies that reflect our Power Shifting commitments and our aim to build sustainable, community-led impact.
• Serve on [committee/s] and support the review of reports, plans and risks.
• Support our teams with your expertise, advising on long-term planning, partnerships and risk.
• Champion transparency, ethical practice and sustainability across the agency.
• Contribute to the overall governance of the organisation, ensuring decisions reflect our values and objectives.

What you will bring:

We are looking for expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Fundraising and philanthropy: A strong track record in securing income from UK-based trusts, foundations, major donors or institutional funders, with established networks across the UK philanthropic sector and a commitment to ethical fundraising.
• Strategic partnerships: Experience building and managing high-value partnerships with funders, private sector, civil society or the public sector, including opening doors and turning relationships into sustainable support.
• Advocacy and campaigns: Experience developing or leading influential advocacy or campaigning strategies, with strong connections across relevant UK policy, media or civil society networks.

All trustees will also bring:

• A commitment to our mission and an interest in the essential role young people have to play in society.
• Sound judgement, independence and the confidence to ask constructive questions.
• A willingness to take on the legal responsibilities of a trustee, including managing conflicts of interest.

TIME COMMITMENT

Trustees serve on a voluntary basis, serving on at least one Trustee Committee (meeting quarterly) as well as additional meetings when required. We’re open to remote candidates as well as those in our major hubs - the Board runs remotely. You would be expected to attend:

• 5 x board meetings annually
• 4 x quarterly Business Committee meetings;
• 1 x annual 1-day Board development day.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Restless Development Global Board of Trustees is the ultimate governance body for the network, serving as stewards of its resources and ultimately responsible for our strategy, operations and financial management. It works in partnership with national boards, which hold legal responsibility in their own jurisdictions to ensure a coherent global direction, alignment with our shared mission, and consistent application of our values across the network You can find out more about our current Board and a link to our latest Board reports here.

The Trustees seek to work closely with the Co CEOs and members of the Global Leadership Group of Restless Development to achieve its goals, and are responsible for providing support, guidance and decisions in the following areas:

• People and Culture including providing advice on the design of strategic learning and development initiatives in line with our values and behaviours framework and using your expertise to support us with talent management and succession planning.
• Leadership selection, including appointing the Chief Executive and approving the appointments of senior members of the GLG.
• Strategic thinking, including approving the overall organisational strategy proposed by the GLG and providing high-level input to ensure alignment with Restless Development’s long-term vision and priorities.
• Financial oversight, including a formal review of the organisation’s annual budget, reserves levels and cashflow forecasting, and supporting the GLG in financial management and organisation.
• Guidance and Support, including giving advice to the Chief Executive and GLG about the operations of the organisation in areas such as personnel management, strategic choices and legal requirements.
• Networking, including using your personal and professional network to assist the Chief Executive and GLG in gaining high level access to relevant individuals and institutions to support the operation and growth of the organisation.
• Fundraising, including personal contributions where possible and assisting the Chief Executive in gaining high level access to potential donors and supporters, and providing advice and assistance more generally on areas of fundraising.
  

Excitingly, Restless Development is currently reviewing how its global governance is structured, with a view to launch a 2 year pilot cross-network governance committee in June 2027. As this work progresses, the Global Board will continue to provide strategic oversight and work in partnership with national boards to ensure a coherent global direction. Trustees will play an important role in shaping this next phase of our governance.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV and an expression of interest that provides tangible examples of how your skills, knowledge and experience will support your ability to perform the key priorities outlined in the above job description (using no more than 750 words)

Please keep your expressions of interest to no more than one page, and include at least one example of a recent moment or product that you have led.

Apply by 30th November 2026 before 5pm BST. For more tips on how to apply visit our website here.

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