Join the Board of East and Southeast Asian Scotland (ESAS)
About ESAS
East and Southeast Asian Scotland (ESAS) is a community-led organisation working for justice, rights, and empowerment of East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities across Scotland. We centre the voices of ESEA people while building solidarity and a shared sense of belonging across communities.
Founded in 2020 and formally incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC), ESAS has grown into a recognised and trusted voice for ESEA communities in Scotland and across the UK.
In just five years, some of our achievements include:
* Leading
community research
such as
Migrant Life in Scotland
, a foundational survey of ESEA migrants' access to food, housing, healthcare, and services during the pandemic.
* Delivering
emergency responses
including food, clothing, and IT support during COVID-19.
* Supporting
wellbeing and inclusion
through peer support groups, befriending, English lessons, and ESEA women's support sessions.
* Advancing
digital and data justice
through projects like
Connecting Scotland
and the
What Data Means to You
film project.
* Partnering with
statutory bodies
(COSLA, Scottish Government) to support Hong Kong BN(O) migrants and improve service access.
* Providing
hate incident reporting and casework support
through the national
On Your Side
service.
* Advocating for labour rights across the UK through the East and Southeast Asian Migrant Alliance UK (EMAUK) project funded by Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
What we are looking for:
We are seeking new Board members who share ESAS's commitment to justice, rights, and empowerment for East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities. As a Board Director, you will play a vital role in guiding our strategy, strengthening our governance, and helping to ensure our work has a lasting impact.
We welcome people with personal commitment and relevant skills or experience. Previous Board experience is not essential as the willingness to learn and grow with us is equally important.
This is a voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed). In exceptional cases, where Board members take on additional executive responsibilities, time may be remunerated
Personal Qualities & Commitment
* Commitment to Mission & Values
and to long-term systemic change for ESEA communities in the UK.
* Professionalism & Representation
– As a Board Director, you are expected to represent ESAS responsibly in public communications and in decision-making, prioritising community needs while safeguarding the organisation's reputation and long-term sustainability.
* Anti-Racism & Inclusivity
Support our work to remain rooted in anti-racism, inclusivity, and sustainability, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the communities we serve.
* Voluntary time commitment
* Approx. 29 hours per year, covering meetings, preparation, and occasional document reviews. This includes one annual in-person Board meeting in Scotland (end of year).
* In addition, every 5 years, a Governance Development Weekend (the first will be in Nov/Dec 2025 as part of our 5-year capacity-building cycle).
Experience & Skills
While personal commitment is essential, we also seek Directors with experience or knowledge in areas that strengthen ESAS's governance and impact.
Priority Areas
* Finance
* Financial strategy and sustainability, accounts oversight, CIC/charity finance compliance or previous experience in a treasurer role for charities or CICs,
* Governance
* Board governance, organisational development, or leadership in charities, CICs, or social enterprises
* Funding & NGO Landscape
* Understanding of the UK and international funding climate for charities and NGOs.
* HR & Compliance
* HR processes, employment practices, or regulatory compliance.
* Policy & Systems Experience
* Practical experience working within UK policy, social, or political systems that directly shape the rights, conditions, and wellbeing of ESEA communities.
Strongly Desired
* Cross-Sector Engagement
* Working with local councils, NHS, unions, or other statutory/public bodies.
* Civil Society Leadership
* Experience with charities, NGOs, grassroots groups, or movements, locally or internationally.
* Human Rights & Advocacy
* Applying rights frameworks to support migrants, racialised minorities, or those affected by poverty and inequality.
* Research & Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
* Professional or academic experience in evidence-based work that demonstrates and explains the impact of social systems on communities.
Why join the Board?
As a Board Director, you'll play a key role in ESAS's growth and development. By joining us you will gain:
* A meaningful role in advancing long-term systemic change for ESEA communities in Scotland and the UK.
* The opportunity to work alongside other community leaders and civil society experts through our collaborations and partnership projects.
* A chance to shape the governance of a growing and trusted community-led organisation at a critical moment of transformation.
* Experience in strategic governance, policy advocacy, and organisational development.
* The opportunity to help shape organisational policies and procedures that inform wider frameworks and best practices in the rights and justice sector.
* Connections with grassroots communities, statutory partners, and international networks.
Location
Board Directors must be based in the UK to ensure they can actively participate in real-time decision-making and stay engaged with ESAS's work. While most meetings are held online, Directors should also be willing to attend at least one in-person meeting in Scotland each year.
Apply to Join Us
If you'd like to join our Board, the first step is to send us an expression of interest in the form of a short cover letter (
or
video/audio alternative).
For more information on how to apply please visit our website:
We especially welcome applications from people with lived experience in East and Southeast Asian communities. We strongly encourage those at the intersections of gender and LGBTQIA+ identity, and people with direct experience of the UK immigration system, to apply. Your insight is vital to shaping ESAS's work.
Enquiries
If you are interested but would like more information about the role, or if you are unsure about any part of the application process, please contact the ESAS Team at
Application Deadline:
9th October 2025