Join us as a charity trustee

We’re looking for a new trustee to join our board and support our mission to create a resilient and sustainable future through research and learning. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of JBA Trust, gain an insight into research and education in water and climate resilience, and develop an understanding of charity governance.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are at an early stage in a research, innovation or knowledge management career. You do not need to have held a board or trustee position previously.  Your technical background and interests should be in one or more of the following areas: flood and water management, environmental risks, climate science or related branches of engineering or data science.

The board meets twice a year, either in person or online, and JBA Trust are able to cover travel and other expenses.  For more details and information on how to apply, please read the details below.

About JBA Trust

We are a charity that aims to help people achieve a resilient and sustainable future by creating and sharing knowledge. We do this by supporting research, learning and engagement in three main topics – the water cycle, environmental risks and resilience, and sustainable infrastructure.

Our work involves close collaboration with partners to support students, academic researchers, schools, environmental charities and the public sector to improve the understanding of environmental risks and how people can manage them.

Since 2012, we have supported 20 PhD projects, awarded over 130 postgraduate bursaries partnered with 24 universities and co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications.

JBA Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1150278) and a company limited by guarantee. As a corporate foundation, core funding comes from our sponsors, the JBA Group of companies, although we also seek external sources of support or funding where appropriate.

Our Board of Trustees

The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the JBA Trust. It works as an effective team, using a balance of skills, experience, backgrounds and knowledge to make informed and sound decisions. The JBA Trust board currently comprises seven Trustees. The JBA Trust’s independent governance is maintained by the board, in accordance with Charity Commission guidance (see “eligibility” below).

The JBA Trust is managed operationally by a team of permanent JBA company employees whose time is donated to the Trust. This team supports the board in its decision-making and is responsible for briefing the board on matters affecting governance of the Trust, including financial planning and reporting. The Trust also benefits from corporate resources within the JBA Group of companies to support key functions, including accounts, financial and project management, health, safety and wellbeing, information technology, data security, and office administration.

What the role of Trustee involves

The role of Trustee is varied and rewarding. You will be joining the board to share your experience and perspective to shape the strategic direction of JBA Trust and enable us to maximise the public benefits we can deliver through our charitable activities.

We are committed to achieving a greater diversity of relevant skills, ages, abilities and backgrounds on our board and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristic. No previous Trustee experience is needed and training can be provided if necessary.

The six main duties of a Trustee are outlined in the guidance from the Charity Commission: Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This will involve:

• Attending board meetings (usually two per year, in-person or online, please see “Practical details” below)
• Reviewing board papers and being prepared to comment on and discuss content
• Occasionally reviewing and commenting on specific issues by correspondence
• Being an advocate for the work of the JBA Trust and promoting our charitable objectives, where it appropriate to do so

Who we’re looking for

Experience of charity governance or charity operations is not required, and we will support you in developing an understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship as needed.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Passion for and scientific interest in the water environment, sustainability and resilience
• Commitment to inclusiveness and diversity
• Capacity to commit time to the role (see “Practical details”, below)
• Ability to establish and build a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the trustees and JBA Trust operational team

Knowledge, skills and experience

One or more of the following areas is essential:

• A technical background gained through learning, training or research in one or more of flood or water management, environmental risks, climate science or related branches of engineering, or data science.
• An active interest in knowledge generation (research) and/or knowledge exchange (outreach, engagement, science communication).
• A degree level qualification (e.g. university undergraduate/postgraduate or degree apprenticeship).

One of more of the following is desirable:

• Demonstrable skills in digital technologies or data management
• Current day-to-day experience of working in the academic, non-profit (knowledge-based) or public sectors

Practical details

Remuneration: The role of Trustee is voluntary and is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed in line with Charity Commission guidance:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/payments-to-charity-trustees-what-the-rules-are

Location: The JBA Trust office is located near Skipton, North Yorkshire. Two board meetings are held each year and may usually be attended online, though in-person attendance is welcomed.

Time commitment: Two board meetings per year (typically 1-3 hours per meeting) with opportunities for additional informal communications with other trustees and the JBA Trust team. Board members are also expected to review board papers in preparation for meetings.

Length of term: We hope that a trustee would be able to join us for at least three years, but there is no fixed term.

Eligibility: Applicants must be legally eligible to serve as a charity trustee in line with Charity Commission guidance (Trustee board: people and skills – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). Additionally, the JBA Trust’s Articles of Association state that the number of trustees who are Connected to or employed by JBA Group Limited shall be less than one half of the total number of trustees appointed at any given time. (In this context, “Connected” means any individual who is a director, shadow director or associate of a company in accordance with section 252 of the Companies Act 2006.)

How to apply

Please apply by sending the following information to apply@jbatrust.org

• CV or a link to current or previous positions held
• Covering letter or email
• Please include details of two referees. Please note that we will not approach referees without asking for your consent.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role before making an application, please feel free to get in touch via apply@jbatrust.org

We aim to schedule interviews before August 2025. Interviews may be either online or in person.