This job is with BBC, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
About BBC Media Action BBC Media Action is the BBC's international charity. With our partners we provide impartial, impactful, trustworthy media to more than 100 million people in need per year, across 30 countries and through content in 50 languages, so that they can make informed choices to transform their lives.
We strengthen local media to support stronger democracies, a safer, more habitable planet and inclusive societies. We bring together a unique blend of journalistic, creative, research and international development expertise; deep local knowledge of our audiences in the places we work; our strong networks of local partners; and our invaluable link to the BBC and everything it stands for.
We support the BBC's determination to pursue truth with no agenda, and to bring people together to counter polarisation. We champion impartiality, creativity, and diverse representation in some of the most vulnerable international media and information landscapes.
We exist to serve people who are most vulnerable to information disorder, division and distrust, with a focus on people who are also under-served by public interest media and at the frontline of global challenges, risks and crises. We work with marginalised groups, and with young people as agents of change in their communities. We contribute to the UN SDG commitment to "leave no one behind" by meaningfully including people who are most often marginalised, excluded, not seen or listened to.
Are you the right candidate? We have an exciting opportunity to join BBC Media Action as one of our Trustees. This is a rare and excellent opportunity to contribute towards the impactful work that BBC Media Action does around the world. You will also be joining the organisation at a time of transformational change and your expertise will be needed to inspire and engage others to rally around our shared strategic goals.
We are currently seeking to appoint 5 new Trustees to our Board.
Our Trustees play a vital role in overseeing the work of the charity and supporting us to create a positive impact for the communities and people in need that we serve around the world. We are particularly interested in those looking for a new challenge, are passionate about our work, and with skills and experience in at least one but ideally more than one of the following:
• Experience of fundraising from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, philanthropies and corporates, especially in the U.K., European and U.S. markets
• Experience working in the private sector, ideally CEO-level of large companies
• Experience of UK-registered charities, ideally in the international development and environment space and at CEO-level
• Experience working in global influencing, communications, marketing and policy
• Experience working in regions in which BBC Media Action operates, including Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and The Pacific
We particularly encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, people under-35, and disabled candidates, as these groups are underrepresented within the Board.
This will be a three-year term, with a future option to extend for a further two three-year terms.
BBC Media Action is an independent charity and company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of Trustees. In line with charity practice, trustees are not paid by the charity for their services.
The Board currently has 10 trustees and plans to expand to its allowable maximum of 15 members, of whom the majority are nominated by the BBC. These trustees will be BBC nominees as per our Articles of Association. The Board may set up sub-committees as needed and currently there are two: Governance, and Finance, Risk & Audit.
Our current Trustees come from a wide range of backgrounds and bring a range of skills and experiences - short biographies can be found on the website.
Trustee Time Commitment Board and Committee meetings are usually held at London Broadcasting House in central London. Meetings take place during the normal working day. In-person attendance is preferred and required for at least two of the four meetings per year. We would expect the Trustees appointed through this recruitment process to join the board by mid-2026. The time commitment includes attending four Board meetings a year (average three hours each with three hours preparation time), plus any relevant sub-committee meetings or away days - and ad hoc support to the Management Team inbetween meetings. Trustees are therefore expected to commit to one to two days of their time per month. Our Trustees are unremunerated, however travel expenses, directly incurred in the role as Trustee on official business, will be covered/reimbursed
Main Duties and Rsponsibilities The duties of a Trustee board member are to:
Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees, working with the Chief Executive and Management Team team, to develop and agree strategic goals and objectives
Define the parameters on which the budget will be based, agree the budget and monitor financial performance to ensure the financial sustainability of BBC Media Action
Monitor the charity's progress towards the achievement of its strategic goals and objectives and monitor the impact of its activities on its programme participants
Safeguard the good name and values of BBC Media Action
Ensure that BBC Media Action complies with its governing document (its Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
Ensure that BBC Media Action uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
Be accountable to stakeholders for the way in which they have discharged their responsibilities as Trustees
Act in good faith and in the best interests of BBC Media Action to further its aims
In addition to the above, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of Trustees reach sound decisions and increase the impact of its activities. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the Trustee has particular expertise. It may also involve introducing and enhancing relationships with third parties whose support will help BBC Media Action meets it ambitions.
Trustees are expected to:
Identify with, and be motivated by, the values and objectives of BBC Media Action
Champion the work of BBC Media Action and the need for its support/services to external audiences
Introduce and support existing fundraising initiatives
Think strategically, look for innovative solutions, provide constructive challenge and be willing to contribute
Work collaboratively with a talented Board and Management Team to take decisions for the good of BBC Media Action
Have a willingness to give as much time as they reasonably and productively can and at least the minimum time requirement
Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
As a Trustee, your statutory responsibilities are clearly set out in the Charity Commission's publication CC3: The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do
View and download the Trustee Recruitment Pack here
Our Commitment To Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC - whether that's to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief