United World Schools (UWS) is a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of some of the world's poorest children through education. It works in remote regions of Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Madagascar to give every child access to free education, partnering with local communities and supporters around the world to ‘teach the unreached’. UWS has a high-impact, low-cost model for building schools and providing education in remote and marginalised communities. To date, it has worked with more than 220 communities across Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and now Madagascar to give children free, safe and effective schooling. Since 2009, it has reached over 45,000 children with education, and is set to reach tens of thousands more over the next few years.

UWS's purpose is to get these children into primary level education to teach them to read, write and count, and impart basic skills to allow them to participate in their local economies. It achieves this goal through the building of simple and fit-for-purpose schools in these remote communities. It also commits to managing the running of these schools to ensure ongoing access by these children to education. UWS’s plan is to transition these schools to the local government sector over time. Collaboration is at the heart of everything that UWS does. It works with communities, governments and partners to deliver free education that is effective and sustainable.

This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape and lead the continued development and direction of a fast-growing, business-like charity. The organisation is looking to expand its reach internationally to serve children in remote communities who do not have the opportunity to attend primary school and therefore do not learn the basics of literacy and numeracy. With recent fundraising successes including raising over £1m which was match funded by the Government, a new strategy and brand refresh underway, it is an exciting time to be joining UWS.

To watch an introductory video to UWS, click here.

The Board of Trustees governs UWS by approving its strategy, goals and objectives. It provides oversight, supports UWS' mission, and uses its networks and industry expertise to help UWS achieve its vision. Due to some Trustees stepping down at the end of their term, UWS is seeking up to four Trustees to help expand its reach internationally in order to serve more children in remote communities. UWS is now particularly interested in candidates with Board-level experience who bring strong networking, relationship-building and profile-raising experience.

The successful candidates will play a hands-on role in supporting UWS' development and roll-out of strategic plans in these areas. While UWS is headquartered in London, it has teams delivering programmes in Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Madagascar. Trustees are required to visit its projects from time to time and see first-hand what it means to provide education in remote and marginalised communities. They are also expected to make personal donations within their means and / or to leverage their networks to assist with fundraising as per the UWS trustee charter.

United World Schools is seeking up to four new Trustees, ideally two with the ability to build fundraising relationships in the corporate sector or amongst high net worth individuals and two who bring experience of primary education, child psychology or access to the technology sector as the charity addresses its ambitious growth targets. These Trustees will help unlock the potential of the organisation’s success, its compelling mission and clear narrative. UWS is particularly interested in candidates with Board-level experience and the ability to support the fundraising efforts of the charity.

The successful candidate will play a hands-on role in supporting UWS's development and roll-out of strategic plans in these areas. While UWS is headquartered in London, it has teams delivering programmes in Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Madagascar. Trustees are required to visit its projects and see first-hand what it means to provide education in remote and marginalised communities. They are also expected to make personal donations within their means and to leverage their networks to assist with fundraising as per the UWS trustee charter.

This role is unremunerated and the time commitment is in the region of 10-12 days per annum. This consists of four Board meetings and one annual strategy day annually. Additionally, Trustees will be required to join at least one committee, visit some of the schools overseas, and provide ad hoc advisory work. At present, Trustees cover their own expenses, although this can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

UWS is committed to the safeguarding of children and ensuring that it recruits safely is central to this commitment. All applicants will be required to undertake a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check as a condition of Trusteeship.