Job Description

SUMMARY

Roles Description:

Finance Trustee

Remuneration:

Like most Trustee roles, these roles are unremunerated

Reports to:

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Start date:

As soon as possible

Benefits:

In addition to making a real difference in the lives of and deepening your understanding of youth organising, you will receive:

Safeguarding Training and support in developing expertise here Reimbursement of expenses incurred in your role

At The Advocacy Academy,

we envision a world where young people with lived experience of injustice (LEofI) harness their collective power to shape a more fair, just, and equal society. Our mission is to organise and support these young people to drive systemic change on the most pressing issues of our time.


We do this by offering deep coaching, delivering transformative leadership programmes, and creating clear pathways for sustained action. Through shared learning and community-building, we help young leaders build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to launch and lead proactive campaigns. We also recognise that real change starts from within - so were committed to a governance structure that is values-driven, participatory, and beyond reproach, ensuring TAA is as accountable to young people as it is to the communities we serve and its wider responsibilities.


Were now looking to recruit three new Trustees to join our Board and help steer this work. We're especially keen to hear from people with leadership experience in one or more of the following areas:

Finance & Fundraising.

Trustees of The Advocacy Academy

play a unique role in delivery of our mission. They are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation, represent it to the community, and accept ultimate compliance authority for the charity and its activities. As a Trustee with experience in the UKs youth sector, you will support the Board and the Executives in ensuring that TAA continues to deliver an exceptional quality of youth work, and the role that safeguarding plays in achieving this. As a trustee:

Work with the Chair, Trustees and Senior Leadership team to ensure there is a clear, long-term and strategic vision The Advocacy Academy. Work with the Board to ensure we function within the legal and financial requirements of a UK registered charity and company, our constitution and that we strive for best practice Take responsibility with the other trustees so that the organisation has effective practice to safeguard the people it works with Act as an ambassador, spokesperson and champion our work supporting our income activities, and fostering networks that can help generate income.

About Our Board of Trustees

Our Board currently consists of four members, recruited, selected, and approved by the Board of Trustees.


Each trustee serves a three-year term, and we are made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.


The Board meets quarterly (four times per year) to provide strategic oversight and governance. Operations/day to day are managed by the Executives.


Given the size of the board, we expect all trustees to join at least one subcommittees meeting per year, unless there are extenuating circumstances. The subcommittee meets are typically held prior to full Board meetings.


Board meetings are held at our Liberation Centre in Brixton and subcommittee meets are held virtually


The role of trustee is voluntary, though reasonable expenses are reimbursed.


Trustees are expected to prepare in advance by reading reports and meeting papers, and are also warmly invited to attend our events throughout the year.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Finance Trustee -

Trustee will provide charity financial governance oversight of The Advocacy Academy, including but not limited to:

Working closely with our Finance Director and the Finance & Risk Committee will:

Provide support on financial oversight and ensure compliance with relevant charity and regulatory requirements. Review and co-present financial reports and key insights to the Board of Trustees. Actively participate in the Finance and Risk Committee, ensuring effective financial scrutiny. Strategic contribution to long-term financial and fundraising planning and support the organisations risk management framework. Attend Finance and Risk subcommittee meetings quarterly.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Finance Trustee -

Proven expertise in charity fundraising and financial management. Previous board or trustee experience. Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team environment.

EXPECTATIONS & ENTITLEMENT

Attend at least one training programme that we run, so that you understand the work we deliver Attend trustee meetings, which are held four times a year in London or virtually, and last between 3 -4 hours - trustees are expected to attend at least three each year. Participate in one of our sub-committees as may be required by the trustee role. Demonstrate commitment to The Advocacy Academy by supporting fundraising efforts. Serve for a term of three years and be able to stand for re-election for a further term and possibly two. Work with the Chair to review your performance Claim reasonable travel and accommodation expenses to attend meetings

This is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the FinanceTrustee role, it is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time to meet the changing needs of The Advocacy Academys board. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holders.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply to be our Trustee by sending your CV together with a supporting statement to us - Your supporting statement should explain why you would like to be our Finance Trustee and the contribution you believe you would make to The Advocacy Academy, with particular reference to the Finance Trustee role.


If you have any questions please email us on: recruitment@theadvocacyacademy.com

DATES

Closing Date:

The deadline for applications is

30th November 2025 by 5pm.

Please note that there will be two rounds of interviews, and we will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis as applications are received. The application deadline may be brought forward if suitable candidates are identified early.

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US

We aim to be representative of the community we are working with. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class as well as disabled people, those living with mental health conditions, refugees and migrants. We welcome people from all identities who are made to feel marginalised.

Were not just committed to being an equal opportunity employer, we actively celebrate diversity in all its forms. Let us know if we can do anything to make the application or interview process more accessible.

If you are invited to interview, we will at that point ask you for any accessibility requirements or preferences.


As an employer we make all reasonable adjustments to support employees in their work if they are disabled or have a health condition. We support the Access to Work scheme which could provide you with financial support to get the help you need to do all tasks successfully. We are happy to facilitate Access to Work assessments and reclaims, and would actively welcome applicants who would need this in order to do the job.


All staff who work on our programme must have, prior to starting work, a returned

satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

dated no earlier than 1st January 2021. The Advocacy Academy will assist the application for, and pay for the processing of, a new DBS for staff members where required.


We welcome applications from people with

convictions.

Please disclose in your application if you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not protected (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013)).

We consider each person on their own merits, taking into account all the circumstances.