The client is seeking an External Board Member with a focus on advocacy to join its Board of Management in a voluntary capacity. The role contributes to governance and strategic direction while helping advance greater awareness, understanding, and recognition of democratic, self-directed education. The client is an independently funded educational community that trusts young people to direct their own learning and grow through freedom, responsibility, creativity, and real-life experience.
The External Board Member (Advocacy) will take a particular lead in advocacy, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and public relations. Democratic education is not recognized or funded in the same way as mainstream schooling, and the role is aimed at strengthening The client’s external voice through relationship-building with policymakers and education stakeholders. The position includes supporting engagement and collaboration with the wider democratic education community to help shape a longer-term advocacy strategy.
Key responsibilities include acting as an ambassador for democratic education, developing and implementing the advocacy and public engagement strategy, and supporting appropriate lobbying and media engagement to increase recognition and support. The role also involves identifying opportunities to contribute to policy discussions, consultations, networks, and events, helping raise public awareness, and contributing to good governance, strategic planning, policy oversight, and organizational development through an independent perspective and constructive challenge. The ideal candidate will have experience in advocacy, public affairs, public policy or government relations, and strong stakeholder relationship-building skills with policymakers and decision-makers.