Our Moon Education is ambitious to impact lives in different ways. Founded on the belief that Africa’s next changemakers will come from well-educated young people who have the lived experience of the challenges in their country, Our Moon supports students by giving them the skills, confidence and dispositions to access higher education and bring about sustained, impactful change in Zambia. Launched in 2016, the charity was established with just two students. Today, Our Moon has evolved to have its own land and a flourishing site in Zambia, enabling the charity to unlock scholarships valued at over £6 million, to date.

Our Moon is dedicated to addressing the entrenched structural inequalities brought on by extreme poverty in Zambia. The majority of its students come from families with incomes of under $1 per head per day. Most notably, Our Moon's flagship Young Leaders programme targets high-achieving, low-income young adults across Zambia to develop them academically and holistically in 18 months. 

Registered by both the Charity Commission in the UK and by the Ministry of Community Development in Zambia, the charity is well connected to social welfare and NGOs across Zambia at both national and regional levels. Through its community projects and education, Our Moon helps students understand their responsibilities to impact society so that they become a generation of ethical leaders that help society face its problems and implement solutions. With the support of trusts, foundations, companies and individuals, Our Moon's students fulfil their ambitions and thus light up thousands of lives.

Since its inception, Our Moon’s programme continually evolves. In 2022, it started working with children from Pestalozzi World in Zambia, so students can be part of a combined bootcamp and learn from each other. Looking forward, the charity is in the process of conducting a strategic review and has identified four main areas to work on over the next three years, which are to:

1. Build the Learning Forum to provide students with purpose built classrooms, enabling Our Moon to expand it programmes
2. Expand student numbers on the Young Leaders programme
3. Plan a Master’s level Changemakers programme to help young graduates who have studied in Zambia to access Masters and postgraduate education opportunities
4. Continue to offer outreach programmes.

Our Moon Education is governed by a Board of Trustees whose prime responsibility is to ensure that its charitable objectives are adhered to. It comprises a group of people who voluntarily contribute a varied and differing range of experiences and skills applicable to the functions of the Trust.

In particular, this Trustee appointment focuses on developing and executing effective fundraising strategies to ensure Our Moon's sustainability and growth. They will focus on the following core functions of governance:

• Networking and Relationship Building: Leverage personal and professional networks to build relationships with potential donors, sponsors, partners, and other stakeholders. Develop a strong network of contacts within the philanthropic and business communities
• Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Identify and cultivate potential major donors, both individuals and corporations, who are aligned with Our Moon's mission. Establish effective stewardship practices to maintain donor relationships and ensure long-term support
• Advocacy and Representation: Act as an ambassador for the charity, advocating its mission and impact to potential donors, partners, and the public. Represent Our Moon at events, conferences, and networking opportunities.

Our Moon Education is in search of a new Trustee who will bring either a strong background in fundraising, or a strong network, to join its Board. They will ideally possesses experience in overseeing significant charitable development and / or corporate fundraising campaigns, but could equally come from any other background, so long as they are able to leverage their networks for fundraising initiatives. They will play a crucial part in shaping the strategic growth of the charity.

The successful candidate could be, for example, the Chair, Fundraising Committee Member, or CEO of a commercial or not-for-profit organisation, or could bring direct experience of leading fundraising campaigns in an executive capacity. Charity fundraising experience is desirable, but not required. The successful candidate could also be a high-achieving individual with excellent networks who has the confidence, drive and expertise to build sustainable relationships with corporates and large donors. While direct experience in the education sector is not obligatory, a genuine enthusiasm for education is expected. In addition, having a personal connection to the African continent would be advantageous.

Above all, a deep commitment to the cause of advancing social justice for underprivileged young people, the core mission of Our Moon, is essential. Please note that candidates currently employed by organisations with potential conflicts of interest related to fundraising or companies implicated in human rights and children's issues are kindly advised not to apply for this role.

To find out more about the the Trustees, please see here.

There are four Board meetings per year, which are held quarterly. In-person meetings are encouraged, but a hybrid model can be arranged. At the moment there are no formal committees, but Trustees are invited to other events throughout the year such as various working groups mainly for discussing programme development and fundraising. Prospective candidates should be actively involved and be able to dedicate significant time and effort to this role.

The selected applicant will have the chance to participate in a three-month trial period, which includes attending a Trustee meeting and contributing to a meaningful project. Following a successful trial period, the new Trustee will have the opportunity to serve a term of three years on the Board, which can be extended if agreeable by all parties. This role is unremunerated, however reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Our Moon welcomes applications from both UK-based and international candidates.

Our Moon Education welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. It is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and it positively encourages applications from all sectors of the community. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.