Brass for Africa is an award-winning charity that delivers Music & Life-Skills education to over 1,500 disadvantaged children and young people across Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia every week. Its mission is to support thousands of marginalised children and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa to transform their lives, driving social impact and social justice through music.

The charity’s story began when airline pilot Jim Trott MBE, Founder and Executive Director, shipped 30 worn-out and unloved brass instruments to an orphanage in Uganda. What started as a way to save the instruments from the scrap heap turned into a journey of hope and transformation. Since 2009, Brass for Africa has partnered with over 20 organisations including the UNHCR, Plan International and the University of Oxford.

The young people Brass for Africa works with lives in extremely vulnerable situations: they are orphans or children living in households headed by another child; they are homeless or young girls who have become mothers. In a society where 70% of out-of-school children receive no formal education and youth unemployment is over 75%, the need for transferrable skills is more critical than ever. That’s why the charity teaches eight key attributes associated with learning music, including self-confidence, resilience and problem-solving. All of the charity's Music & Life-Skill teachers are local alumni of its programmes.

Brass for Africa's 2023-2028 strategy will guide the organisation as it expands its work across five key pillars: Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, Community Empowerment, Workforce Readiness and Fulfilment of Music Potential. As a response to the urgent need for support, the charity's goal is that, by 2028, it will continue to scale and impact the lives of thousands of marginalised young people. Brass for Africa believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential and thrive.

Brass for Africa's current Board of Trustees comprises Robert Dow (Chair), Paul Torrington, Stewart Drummond, Clare Delmar and Jim Trott. As it grows and expands, Brass for Africa is excited to broaden its Board to help it continue its exceptional work and to meet the challenges of its continued growth. The Board are committed to becoming more diverse and inclusive to help widen perspectives and better reflect the diversity in the organisation. Most of Brass for Africa's funding is raised from committed individual donors, and as such, it welcomes board members who can help expand that network of donors.

The Board is comprised of the Trustees, who meet regularly as a Trust Board, which has a number of working groups. Trustees focus on the three core functions of governance:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2. Holding executive leaders to account for the performance of the charity, and the performance management of staff
3. Overseeing and ensuring effective financial performance

Additionally, Trustees will be expected to:

1. Prepare for and attend evening board meetings every 3 months (see Terms of Appointment for details)
2. Help support Brass for Africa's Senior Leadership Team by providing specific expertise that is relevant to its day-to-day work
3. Get involved with potential future sub-committees.

Brass for Africa seeks up to four Trustees with strong networks as it looks to build a broader network of enthusiastic donors. It is hoped that one Trustee will also take on the role of Treasurer.

Candidates could come from any professional background, so long as they bring senior, strategic-level experience and a strong network. The charity is particularly interested in hearing from those with a background in governance, fundraising, finance and audit, marketing, communications and / or social media. Individuals with experience working in music technology strategy are encouraged to apply. Previous board experience is not required.

Trustees will be be able to:

1. Provide leadership and support for the organisation’s fundraising strategies
2. Expand Brass for Africa's donor network and help it build new, lifelong donor relationships
3. Support the team in its fundraising efforts, including going along to fundraising meetings, making introductions for campaign sponsorship, attending events to meet other donors in person etc.

In addition to the commitments of a Trustee (as stated above), it is hoped that one Trustee would also take on the role of Treasurer. The Treasurer will bring strong financial acumen, and will advise and provide scrutiny to the Board as the charity looks towards ensuring its long-term growth and sustainability. For this role, candidates will bring a professional qualification in accounting, tax or investment management, or considerable experience in a senior role involving accounting, financial management, tax, investment management or similar. They will be able to analyse complex information and understand wider impact and consequences, and communicate financial information to the Board.

Above all, candidates will have a keen interest in the arts, international development and / or empowering children and young people with the skill to fulfil their potential and thrive. They must have a willingness to contribute time, imagination and commitment to the role, to Brass for Africa's thinking and its future success and resilience.

Brass for Africa is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among those who serve on the Board. As such, it is keen to encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates from all cultural or socio-economic backgrounds.

There are between four and six Board meetings per year, which tend to take place on weekday evenings in Bank, London, and last for two hours. Additionally, there may be ad hoc engagements. In total, the time commitment amounts to c. two hours of work per month. The appointment is for an initial three year term, which can be renewed at the discretion of the Board. This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel and expenses will be reimbursed.

As Board meetings take place in person, candidates will either be London-based or willing to travel.

Brass for Africa welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from a global majority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.