Organisation overview
We tackle the ocean emergency by working with communities, businesses and governments.
To make environmental change happen, we:
- Influence politicians and businesses to make policy, legislative and practical changes. We challenge those responsible when laws are not enforced, and we influence investment and procurement decisions.
- Call on the UK Government to recognise the value of the ocean for biodiversity, for climate and for our economy. Our Manifesto for our Seas sets out an ambitious and bold agenda for ocean protection and recovery, which would cement our position as global leaders on the world stage.
- Engage communities to get involved in our campaigns and call for action to protect our seas.
- Educate and influence people and businesses to understand the value of a healthy ocean and change their behaviour.
- Carry out practical conservation activities with volunteers and partners to collect and share scientific evidence, using this data to better understand our seas and inform our work.
For more than 30 years, we’ve been the voice of the ocean, defending habitats and species. We work to protect the UK’s seas and contribute to international data and legislation wherever possible.
This is vital not only to protect wildlife but to support communities and jobs. And the ocean gives back, improving our physical and mental health when we connect with it.
Our work has resulted in bans on single-use items, legislation to better manage fisheries, and greater awareness among supermarkets of the need to stock sustainable seafood. But there is much more to do.
One ocean for everyone
Whoever and wherever we are, we share one ocean. We all must have equal opportunities to benefit from it. And everyone has their part to play in learning about and protecting it. By working together, we can achieve our shared vision of seas full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive.
Role Details
Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.
We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.
It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in the following:
- Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law.
You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions.
Time Commitment:
|
4 x half day meetings (weekdays) for main board meetings
4 x 2 hour meetings (weekdays) for sub committee meeting
|
Any other involvement by arrangement (e.g. trustee recruitment; attend a public event)
Attendance:
Mix of attendance – we are a mostly remote organisation. Main board meetings usually held at our office in London in SE1
Required Skills & Experience
- Provide strategic advice and guidance to the Board and senior leadership on matters of governance, compliance, and regulatory risk.
- Help ensure the charity operates within the law and complies with relevant legislation, including charity law, company law, and data protection regulations.
- Advise on legal aspects of contracts, partnerships, and other formal agreements.
- Contribute to managing organisational risk, including reputational, legal, and operational risks.
Person specification
- Qualified legal professional with experience in charity, company, or regulatory law.
- Strong understanding of governance frameworks and regulatory requirements for charities.
- Proven ability to interpret complex legal information and advise at Board level
