Join Our Board!

Application Deadline: Midnight 6th July 2025

You must be 16 or older to apply to this role

You don’t need previous governance experience to apply — we provide full training and a thorough induction to support you in the role.

At Project Sonrisa, we are deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We understand that traditional application processes can present barriers for some individuals, and we’re here to help. If you’d like to discuss your application in advance, or if you’d prefer to apply in a different format than the one provided, please feel free to reach out to Emma at emma@ProjectSonrisa.com 

You are also welcome to reach out to us on social media with any questions!

Essential Criteria - Trustee

• A strong personal commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an understanding of how these principles inform ethical decision-making.

• Effective communication skills and a willingness to actively participate in board discussions and collaborative decision-making.

• Open-minded, altruistic, and reflective, with the ability to listen to and consider different perspectives.

• Willingness to work constructively with others and to engage meaningfully with Project Sonrisa’s staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

• A general understanding of the Scottish third sector, including its values, challenges, and opportunities.

• Ability to think strategically and creatively, exercise sound independent judgment, and contribute to collective governance responsibilities.

• Committed to Project Sonrisa’s values: Intersectionality, Inclusion, and Innovation.

• Enthusiasm for Project Sonrisa’s mission, with a desire to contribute to positive social change.

Essential Criteria - Chair

All included in Trustee specifications plus

• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to facilitate inclusive discussions, build consensus, and guide strategic decision-making. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, including trustees, staff, partners, and funders.

• A clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of charity trustees, particularly within the Scottish legal and regulatory context. 

• Willingness and capacity to dedicate time to the role, including chairing meetings, representing the organisation, and providing support to the CEO/lead staff. 
  
  

Desirable - Trustee

• Knowledge or experience in Scottish charity law, particularly as it applies to governance, compliance, and trustee responsibilities.

• Experience in human resources (HR), particularly within the voluntary or charitable sector.

• Prior experience on a Charity/Non-Profit Board or other governance context

• Experience with fundraising, income generation, or grant funding strategies in a charitable context.

• Knowledge of or lived experience related to the communities we support.

• Familiarity with strategic planning, financial oversight, risk management, or policy development in a non-profit setting.

• Understanding of digital transformation or communications, especially in ways that strengthen engagement, transparency, and accessibility.

• Ability to act as an ambassador for Project Sonrisa, promoting our work and values within relevant networks or communities.

Desirable - Chair

• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice-Chair of a board, committee, or working group — ideally within the third sector or a charitable context.

• Knowledge of Scottish charity law and governance frameworks, including the role of OSCR and trustee responsibilities.

• Experience supporting or overseeing organisational development, such as strategic planning, leadership, or board development.

• Confidence in acting as an ambassador for the organisation, including speaking at events, building partnerships, or engaging with funders and stakeholders.

Time Commitment

Trustee

• Trustees are appointed with an expectation to stay in the role for a board term of 2 years. 

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

• Attending board meetings 4 to 5 times a year. Currently, meetings are held remotely.

• Answering occasional emails to provide your knowledge and experience.

Chair

Same as Trustee, plus

• Monthly 1-2-1 Catch Ups with CEO

• Occasional attendance/support at Project Sonrisa Events

• Preparation Time ahead of Board Meetings

Our Application Process

To apply for the role of Trustee please choose one of the following options;

1. Send us a maximum of 2 A4 pages of writing answering the prompt ‘What draws you to this role and what experience, knowledge and expertise could you bring to our team’. Formatted: Font Arial, Size 14

2. Send us a video or audio recording a maximum of 3 minutes and 15 seconds, including your introduction, answering the prompt ‘What draws you to this role and what experience, knowledge and expertise could you bring to our team’

You can send this to us at Info@ProjectSonrisa.com with the subject line ‘Trustee Application’.

To apply for the role of Chair please choose one of the following options;

1. Send us a maximum of 2 A4 pages of writing answering the prompt ‘What draws you to this role and what experience, knowledge and expertise could you bring to the role of Chair? Please also tell us the values you have as a person that make you an effect leader’. Formatted: Font Arial, Size 14

2. Send us a video or audio recording a maximum of 3 minutes and 15 seconds, including your introduction, answering the prompt ‘What draws you to this role and what experience, knowledge and expertise could you bring to the role of Chair. Please also tell us the values you have as a person that make you an effect leader’

3. Send us an up-to-date CV

You can send this to us at Info@ProjectSonrisa.com with the subject line ‘Chair Application’.

Stage 1: All applications received are anonymised and the names of things like companies and universities where you gained your knowledge or experience will be redacted to prevent stereotype and affinity bias. These applications will then be presented to 2 of our current trustees who will shortlist applicants for interviews against a predetermined scoring matrix. This matrix includes criteria such as but not limited to; experience relating to the role, demonstration of our values and is based on our essential and desirable criteria. You may wish to reference this in your application.

Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants will be given a selection of dates and times week beginning 14th July 2025 to choose from to be interviewed. We operate a flexible interview process and understand everyone has different responsibilities and schedules. Information on the interview panel will be shared with applicants.

Stage 3: After all of our interviews are conducted the panel will consider the applicants interview as well as their score from phase 1 to appoint our Trustees.

Stage 4: New Trustees will observe our August Board meeting and attend an induction day in the Autumn of 2025 - team availability will be taken to determine this date.

Legal Eligibility and Disqualification Criteria

Under Scottish charity law, there are certain legal restrictions on who can serve as a charity trustee. These rules exist to protect charities and ensure public trust in their governance.

You are automatically disqualified from being a charity trustee if you:

• Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or an offence under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

• Are currently declared bankrupt or have a Protected Trust Deed (PTD).

• Have been removed from a position as a charity trustee by a court or by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

• Are disqualified from being a company director.

• Are subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

• Have been convicted of serious offences including terrorism, money laundering, bribery, or perverting the course of justice (as extended under the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023).
  
  

If you’re unsure whether any of these apply to you, or if you’d like to discuss your eligibility in confidence, please contact Emma at emma@ProjectSonrisa.com.