Volunteer: Trustee Legal Expertise​/AFS Ireland

EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS Ireland)

EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL / AFS Ireland) is an Irish not for profit educational organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, youth leadership, language, scholarships, group educational programmes, and other cultural immersion opportunities for over 1,800 people each year. As a company limited by guarantee “CLG” and a registered charity it is regulated by the charities regulatory authority “CRA” and the companies registration office “CRO”.

With income of just under €6,000,000 in 2025, EIL/ AFS Ireland is both a large and complex charity, given the work with young people and internationally. The organisation appoints an independent Auditor and the charity’s accounts are under SOPR standards since 2024: requiring a higher level of financial transparency.

• Federation EIL
  - Global network of intercultural learning organisations.
• AFS Intercultural Programs
  - Leading global exchange network.
• European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) - European platform for intercultural education.

• National Youth Council of Ireland
  - National representative body for youth organisations.
• Comhlámh
  - Ethical global volunteering and development support network.
• The Wheel
  - Ireland’s national association for charities, community, and voluntary organisations.
• The Cork Chamber of Commerce
• The Charities Institute Ireland

Vision: A just world where all cultures thrive together in peace and understanding.

Mission:
Our Mission is to inspire active global citizenship and personal development through intercultural learning and travel and our vision is to create a just world where all cultures thrive together in peace and understanding.

Values:
Diversity, Curiosity, Collaboration, Integrity.

EIL / AFS Ireland is governed by a volunteer Board. The organisation is led by the Chief Executive Officer, supported by the Head of Finance and Administration and the Head of Programmes.

• Cultural Groups Department – responsible for planning and running educational group travel.
• Study Abroad Department – coordinates international placements for academic learning and cultural immersion.
• Global Citizenship Department / Explore Scholarship Awards – supports volunteering and short-term intercultural experiences.

EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS Ireland) is seeking a highly experienced and skilled board member with legal expertise in Irish charity law, governance, employment law, risk, compliance, safeguarding or corporate governance to support the continued development of a large and complex educational charity.

• Contribute to the strategic direction and governance of the organisation as a Board member and charity trustee.
• Provide legal and governance insight to support Board decision-making.
• Assist the Board in ensuring compliance with charity law, company law, safeguarding obligations, and law regulatory requirements.
• Promote best practice in transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
• Act in the best interests of the charity and uphold its mission, vision, and values.

• Legal Expertise: a candidate that is currently practicing as a solicitor or is a senior legal counsel.
• Governance and Compliance Leadership: strong knowledge of non‑profit or corporate governance.
• Have experience in charity law, governance, employment law, compliance, litigation risk, contracts, or corporate governance.
• Understand the governance responsibilities of charity trustees and CLG directors in Ireland.
• Can bring practical, solutions‑focused legal judgement to a complex organisation.

• Comply with the charity’s governing document.
• Ensure the charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit.
• Act in the best interest of the charity.
• Act with reasonable care and skill.
• Manage the assets of your charity.

• The board meets 6 to 8 times per year.
• Three board meetings are held online between 19:00 and 21:00 hour, and three meetings are in person in our Cork office, usually between 11:00 and 15:00 hours.
• The first meeting of the year is a full day in person.

• Audit & Risk
• HR & Governance

This is a voluntary role and is not remunerated.

Board: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Website:
Home Page - EIL Intercultural Learning - AFS Ireland