Board Member with expertise in the natural environment and biodiversity

An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland is looking to recruit a Board member with experience in environmental issues. The appointed individual in addition to serving as a Board member, will also be tasked with Chairing the Committee on Natural Environment. A professional qualification would be desirable but not essential. 

Description of Role: 

The Board member will play an active part on An Taisce’s Board, which provides direction and governance and is answerable to a nationwide Council. The Board also supports and advises on the day-to-day operations of the organisation. 

Board members are required to further the vision and mission of An Taisce according to agreed values and to develop and implement An Taisce’s Strategic Plan. 

Description of Natural Environment Brief: 

The Board Member will provide advice to the board on environmental matters and public policy debates on related subjects, chair the work of the Natural Environment Committee reporting to the Board on its activities. 

The Natural Environment Committee is a Policy Committee of An Taisce. The role of the Natural Environment Committee is to develop policies on matters relating to agriculture and food, forestry, and the natural environment for consideration by Council; and to consider issues where An Taisce has been invited or expected to provide a response. This will include public consultations, developments and planning matters that impinge on the natural environment; activities that could impact adversely on designated protected areas; on wildlife, biodiversity, habitats, waterways and seacoasts; on air and soil quality; visual and other sensory impacts; and any other impacts that would reasonably be considered as affecting the natural environment. 

Skills and Expertise: * Note – An academic qualification in an environmental topic is desirable but not essential. 

• Motivational leadership of volunteers 
• Some familiarity with the legal regime, domestic and international, relevant to Ireland’s biodiversity challenge. 
• Some understanding of the NGO environmental sector. 
•  Understanding of the community and voluntary sector 
•  Strong communication and listening skills 

Industry Experience: 

An environmental qualification would be desirable but not essential. 

Previous experience in environmental work would be advantageous. 

Time per Month: Under 8 hours.

Board Terms and Participation: 

Attendance is required at Board meetings which take place on the fourth Thursday of every month with Committee meetings taking place at least every two months. 

More about An Taisce 

Founded in 1948, An Taisce is one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations. An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body or semi-state agency. 

We are a member of the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe's largest federation of environmental organisations, with more than 180 member organisations. We are also the Irish member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a global organisation of over 81 countries which is recognised as a world leader in education for sustainable development and environmental education. 

Our mission is to protect and celebrate Ireland's natural and built environment for present and future generations, and to ensure Ireland leads the way in defending a liveable planet.