Education Development Trust (EDT) is a leading international not-for-profit organisation and a major force in education improvement on a global scale, focussed on its vision to transform lives by improving education and pathways into work. It strives to change education for good around the world, grounding its work in research and evidence of what works. EDT's experts deliver highly contextualised programmes designed to transform education systems, schools and lives. 

The Trust operates in the UK, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where it has been running programmes for 55 years. As well as directly managing a number of schools, it also manages strategic government contracts and provides broader education consultancy services, working collaboratively with national and local governments, with schools, and with other partners to deliver evidence-based, sustainable solutions that effect positive change. The Trust improves school systems at scale, partnering with governments around the world to help turn ambitious, visionary education policy into reality.

Either directly or indirectly, in 2021 / 2022 EDT reached: 9.2 million learners (a rise of 155% on the previous year); 181,000 education practitioners working in 25,800 schools and educational settings (more than double the institutions than the previous year); and 36,700 school leaders (an increase of 278%). More broadly, EDT has seen its work in the UK with the Department for Education grow considerably, and it is proud to be a key delivery partner on major programmes such as the National Tutoring Programme, Behaviour Hubs, the Early Career Professional Development Programme and the National Professional Qualifications. 

Looking to the future, and with a new CEO in post, EDT will continue to pursue the strategic goals laid out in its 2021-2024 Corporate Strategy while maintaining excellence in all areas of its delivery. One particularly exciting area of focus will be the development of more effective processes and systems for measuring the impact of its programmes.

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the strategy of a hugely impactful international education not-for-profit at a challenging yet exciting time for the sector. Trustees are responsible for directing the affairs of Education Development Trust, including ensuring that it is well-run, solvent and achieves impact through delivery of its charitable outcomes. They hold the executive team to account, providing support as well as robust but positive challenge.

All Trustees are expected to contribute to the success of the organisation. This particular Trustee will chair the Audit and Finance Committee (AFC) and ensure that it complies with its terms of reference including maintaining an overview of controls, compliance, accounting principles and risk management on behalf of the Board.

Specific duties will include:

• Ensuring that Education Development Trust has appropriate financial controls and policies in place
• Reporting annually to the Board on the work of the AFC, to highlight any issues and trends which have been observed and to comment on the financial controls and operational management of Education Development Trust
• Ensuring that the report and accounts are properly audited, and that accepted recommendations of the external auditors are implemented
• Guiding and advising the Board of Trustees in the approval of the annual report and accounts
• Ensuring that an appropriate risk management framework is in place and regularly reviewed
• Ensuring that the internal and external audit functions are operating efficiently and effectively
• Ensuring that accepted recommendations of the internal audit reports are implemented
• Meeting the external auditor and, where relevant, the internal auditor independently from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, at least once a year
• Reporting formally to the Board of Trustees on its proceedings after each meeting
• Providing support to and holding to account the Finance and Corporate Services Director for the delivery of Education Development Trust's financial objectives; acting as a sounding board to the executive team on relevant issues, and to be available to mentor as required
• Harnessing all the skills, knowledge and energies of all Committee members
• Developing and maintaining knowledge and expertise on the areas for which the Committee is responsible
• Participating in relevant meetings including but not limited to meetings with Education Development Trust's investment managers, audit closure meetings and in strategic financial discussions
• Dealing with matters of urgent business between meetings

Education Development Trust is looking for a Trustee with extensive strategic-level experience in Finance and/or Audit. The appointed candidate will chair the Board's Audit and Finance Committee (AFC).

The ideal candidate will have substantial board-level experience gained in either an executive or non-executive capacity. They will be qualified as a chartered accountant and have experience of leadership within a complex, commercial organisation of similar scale or larger. They will have a strong risk management background, with a sound understanding of related financial, compliance and legal issues. Previous trustee-level experience in a third sector organisation will be an advantage. They should be an effective and inclusive leader with strong communication skills, who can guide the Committee's work, set the agenda, facilitate discussions, and motivate members to fulfil their responsibilities. Prior experience on Board committees, particularly Audit- and Finance-related committees, would be considered highly valuable. Other valuable experience and knowledge would include: working through commercial transactions (acquisitions and divestments); an awareness of the workings and complexities of organisations with international operations; and an understanding of how technology can be used to improve operational performance. 

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work collaboratively with other Trustees. They will be able to exercise independent judgement, providing both support and challenge where appropriate. Above all, they will share the values and ambitions of the Trust.

A full list of current Trustees can be found here.   

This role is remunerated at £16,000 p.a. Reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will also be reimbursed. There are six Board meetings per year, plus five meetings of the Audit and Finance Committee, as well as an annual away day and ad hoc events. The overall time commitment is therefore estimated to be c. 20 days per year. The appointment is for a four-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.

EDT is headquartered in Reading, UK, and operates both nationally in the UK and internationally. Meetings usually take place in a hybrid format, and so candidates can be based anywhere.

Education Development Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. 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 candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.