Publish What You Fund is the global campaign for aid and development transparency

We envisage a world where aid and development information is transparent, available and used for effective and inclusive decision-making, public accountability and lasting change for all citizens.

We work to ensure that all aid and development data is transparent and available, usable and used. We believe that this kind of data has the potential to be transformative and contribute to better development outcomes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We combine robust research and technical expertise with targeted advocacy and engagement in order to make aid and development efforts more transparent and effective.

Appointment of new Trustees to the Board

The Publish What You Fund Board are currently looking for new Trustees as part of the standard rotation of Trustees. We are looking for three new Trustees. A Chair designate would be appointed from the current trustees or the new incoming trustees.  

Skills Sought

• The Chair designate should be:
  • An internally focused chair with strong Chairing skills and knowledge.
  • Confident in governance process and procedure, potentially with prior trustee/director experience.
  • A key partner to the CEO, regularly liaising with them and acting as a critical friend.
  • A coach to senior managers across the organisation.
• Three Independent Trustees are sought with some background in one of the following:
  • Global Aid and development
  • Humanitarian knowledge
  • Open aid data
  • Corporate or philanthropic development finance
• All trustees should have general knowledge in strategy, finance, and transparency to enable discussions on overseeing a viable and resilient organisation. All trustees will be given an induction upon joining to introduce them to the organisation.

Terms:

• Trustees will be appointed for a three-year term; Trustees normally serve for at least six years. Trustees are not considered independent after nine years in office.
• The Chair and Trustee positions are not renumerated; pre-agreed expenses are paid.
• The Chair and Trustees’ conflicts and independence are reviewed annually.

Location:

• Publish What You Fund is a global Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and the Trustee roles are also global in nature, subject to time zone restrictions to join Trustee Board meetings (meetings normally held at 15.00 GMT).

Time commitment:

• The Chair would need to be available for at least 10 days a year; this would include time allocated to leading the Board, preparing for meetings, attending Finance Committees, and partnering with the CEO and senior managers. Additional time would need to be allocated to deal with any urgent PWYF issues.
• Trustees would need to be available for at least four board meetings each year. Board meetings are held over 2 hours in London and via conference call. Scheduled 2023 Board meetings are Thursday 20 July, Tuesday 19 September & Tuesday 12 December at 15.00 GMT.
• All Trustees need to prepare adequately for each meeting and therefore it is likely that the role would take 4 days a year to complete successfully.
• Some Trustees would serve on the Finance Committee which meets by conference call a week in advance of each Board meeting; this will require an additional 3 days.

Process:

All trustee appointments will be made on merit and a diverse candidate pool will be sought.

Please submit a short covering note which addresses the skills, experience and abilities which you hold that would be of benefit to Publish What You Fund and the position you are applying to (trustee only or trustee and chair designate). A CV should also be submitted. Covering notes and CV’s should be submitted by 26 June 2023 by email to Gary Forster.

Following initial sifting of applications, a meeting will be held between the short-listed candidates, the appointment Committee, CEO and Chair. Due diligence will be completed prior to this informal interview. Interviews will be held by Zoom the week of 3 and 10 July (please note in your covering note if you are not available during these times).

The interview panel will recommend the candidates to the Board for approval, in advance of the 20 July Board meeting to allow candidates to attend the July Board meeting in shadow form. Trustees will be formally appointed from 1 September 2023. Induction would take place ahead of the Tuesday 19 September Board meeting.