Thank you for expressing an interest in joining Brooke's board. It is an exciting time to join our wonderful charity. Brooke is an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the communities that depend on them. Working across South Asia, Africa and Central America we reach over 1.4 million animals and 1.1million owners annually, with millions more benefiting as our work ripples through whole communities and countries.

 Our global strategy is built on the three pillars of transforming equid welfare in communities, building sustainable animal health systems, and advocating for lasting change. We have more than 600 staff members across the globe, including vets, animal welfare experts, human behaviour change practitioners and development specialists. 

Brooke is seeking a new board member from one of our countries of operation in Africa (Senegal, Kenya or Ethiopia) to make a real difference to our well respected and growing charity. Experience of charity governance and the leadership of an international organisation are desirable, but we are keen to hear from candidates who feels they have the skills and experience to make a positive contribution. We particularly welcome applications from female candidates. If you find yourself inspired by our work, and believe you have the skills, experiences and attributes to help shape Brooke's future, we would love to hear from you.

 Working equines are the engines that power the developing world as they transport people, food, water and goods, as well as labouring in arduous industries such as coal mines and brick kilns. It is estimated that 100 million working equines support around 600 million people. These animals suffer due to the scale of their workloads and inadequate care and services. Our charitable activities not only improve the lives of animals, but they also contribute to improvements in the livelihood of owners and their families. Thank you for your interest.

Being part of Brooke’s team

 Becoming a part of the Brooke Board means joining a highly skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated team, together pursuing the goal of global compassion and healthcare for working horses, donkeys and mules and the communities that depend on them. 

Brooke's board is diversely talented, highly engaged and united in its purpose. It works closely with the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to ensure Brooke effectively delivers its inspiring mission and is governed to the highest standards. You will possess strategic vision, strong business acumen and a passion to support working equines and their owners and families around the world.

Our Beliefs

• We believe all animals deserve dignity, respect and compassion. We understand the relationship and partnerships between working equids and the people that depend on them.

• We believe a kinder, more compassionate world is possible; a world which truly recognises and values the interdependence between animals, humans and the environment.

• We believe that good animal welfare starts with people. We recognise that in order to achieve change at scale, we need to inspire compassion in others.

• We believe that for positive change to be sustainable, people need to have the capability, motivation and opportunity to realise progress.

• We believe that by improving the welfare of working equids, we also contribute towards building resilient and thriving communities and a fairer, more just, world. 

Our values 

• We are proud to be Brooke. We are resourceful, share new ideas and help each other succeed. Together we make change happen.

Being a Trustee

“Trustees have independent control over, and legal responsibility for, a charity’s management and administration…Trusteeship can be rewarding for many reasons - from a sense of making a difference to the charitable cause, to new experiences and relationships. It’s also likely to be demanding of your time, skills, knowledge and abilities. Being aware of the duties and responsibilities will help you carry out your role in a way that not only serves your charity well but also gives you confidence that you will be complying with key requirements of the law.

” The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do. (CC3), Charity Commission, 2018.

 Key responsibilities and duties
Strategy

• Take part in formulating and regularly reviewing Brooke’s strategic aims and objectives

• Monitor and review Brooke’s performance against the global strategy and business plan, ensuring all activities meet the Charity’s stated objects and public benefit test

• Contribute where appropriate specific skills, knowledge and experience in support of international operations and UK fundraising, financial and administrative activities. 

Fiduciary 

• Actively contribute to ensuring the Board exercises its legal responsibilities in full 

• Adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct, protecting at all time the reputation and extolling the values of Brooke.

• Ensure that policies, operations and priorities are in keeping with the aims of Brooke 

• Ensure the financial stability of the Brooke and manage its resources responsibly

• Uphold the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking duties in the best interests of the Brooke 

• Ensure that the Brooke functions within the legal, risk and regulatory framework of UK charity law and strives to achieve best practice in governance.

Practice

•  Regularly attend and adequately prepare for meetings of the Board and any Committees and Away Days. Visit Brooke’s international operations where possible.

•  Participate in seminars offered for the benefit of Trustees and undertake training 

•  Perform such other tasks as may be requested from time to time by the Board of Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Executive 

• Respect and observe in practice the distinction between the duties of Trustees and those of senior staff

•  Ensure effective administration of Brooke and performance of the CEO

Job Requirements

The Person 

• We do not require a background in animal welfare but an understanding of, and passion for, any of the following would be an advantage;

• the welfare of working animals and the poor communities they serve

• international development issues

• the nexus between animals, people and the environment.

• A track record of successful organisational and strategic leadership and the good judgement that goes with that.

• A strong understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees and clear on the difference between governance functions and management functions.

• Ability to speak one’s mind, challenge constructively and the confidence to engage and contribute to areas outside your specialism.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to both empower and challenge supportively.

• Ability to work well as part of a diverse team of Trustees and in support of the Executive Team.

• An ability and willingness to represent Brooke in an ambassadorial capacity. 

Term of Appointment

•  Trustees are appointed for a term of 4 years with an expectation of a second term and scope for a further term of one year to meet specific organisational needs, as defined and agreed by the Board and where it is felt that a suitable and timely external appointment might not be possible.

• The roles are unpaid but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

Key reading

• Global strategy - https://www.thebrooke.org/about-us/ourstrategy 

• Annual report - https://www.thebrooke.org/about-us/annualreports-and-accounts

How To Apply

• Please email a CV and covering letter setting out your motivation and how you meet our requirements to recruit@thebrooke.org by 13th September 2024.