Trustee with Income Generation, Communications and/or Business Strategy Focus

Neighbourhood Network is an Irish social enterprise and charity which aims to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods around Ireland. Our work creates communities of empowered people, with a strong sense of local identity, and builds empathy and understanding between neighbours. 

We believe that building connections between neighbours increases the strength of the community overall and leads to more inclusive, healthier and happier communities.

We are seeking board members who resonate with this vision to help us guide and grow the organisation. In particular, we are now seeking a commercially-minded board member with expertise in areas of business strategy, income generation, and/or strategic communications to help drive Neighbourhood Network's growth and sustainability.

Expectations of all board members include:

• An understanding, appreciation of and commitment to Neighbourhood Network’s vision, mission and values.
• To provide input to the strategic direction of the organisation.
• To inform, with expertise and experience, the organisation’s formation.
• To act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board members.
• To comply with the organisation’s governing document.
• Possible membership of a Sub-Committee of the Board.

Shared responsibilities of all board members include:

• Ensuring the organisation is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit  
• Acting in the best interest of the organisation
• Acting with reasonable care and skill 
• Overseeing the management of the assets of the organisation
• Commitment to all legal and fiduciary responsibilities, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and ensuring best practice in corporate governance.
• All Board members are expected to have a working knowledge of the voluntary sector in Ireland and be familiar with corporate governance requirements and legislation, such as the Charities Act 2009, the Charities Governance Code and Reporting in 2021, and the GDPR 2018.
• Board members are expected to participate in advocacy in the best interests of the organisation and protecting and promoting the reputation of Neighbourhood Network.
• Board members will always contribute to the achievement of the organisation’s goals while practicing the highest standards of corporate governance.
• Board members should be honest, fair, and independent.

Board Meetings:

• The Board meets monthly, 6 times per year on Mondays, virtually for 2 hours.
• The Income Generation & Communications Committee meets 65times a year on Mondays, virtually for 1 hour.
• The time commitment is 1-2 hours a week. The term of office is 1-2 years with the ability to renew for further terms.
• The AGM is held online.

Remuneration: This is a voluntary role.

Role specific responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of this role could be some combination of the following:

Strategic Business Development

• Guide business strategy and organisational growth planning
• Support development of traded income services and social enterprise initiatives
• Advise on scaling operations and sustainable expansion
• Contribute to partnership development and business opportunity identification

Income Generation & Fundraising

• Help lead strategic thinking on diversified income streams
• Review and support funding applications, grant writing, and donor cultivation
• Leverage professional networks for philanthropic opportunities
• Provide guidance on consultancy services and revenue diversification

Communications & Profile Building

• Support media engagement and public relations activities
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and relationship building
• Help raise Neighbourhood Network's profile through professional networks

Commercial Expertise

• Support business pitching and proposal development
• Advise on product development for income generation
• Share sector-specific knowledge (particularly building/construction sector if relevant)
• Contribute commercial perspective to strategic decisions

It would also be desirable to have:

• NGO/Social Enterprise Scaling: Experience supporting smaller organizations through growth
• Philanthropy Networks: Established contacts within funding and donor communities
• Business Pitching: Strong presentation skills for funding and partnership opportunities

• Traded Income Design: Experience developing products/services for social enterprises

Application: 

Candidates interested in being considered for these vacancies should send their CV and a cover letter (of no more than one page) explaining why they would like to put themselves forward specifically for this role.

All applicants must confirm that they do not have any conflicts of interest or legal impediments which would be likely to interfere with their ability to play a full part on the board. In addition, they must also confirm that they can make themselves available to attend meetings and to carry out the duties of a board member. Letters should also provide the names of two referees who may be contacted as part of the selection process. 

Deadline for applications: Friday 29th August 2025.

_________

About Neighbourhood Network

Street Feast CLG (T/A Neighbourhood Network) is an Irish not-for-profit organisation which aims to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods around Ireland. Our work creates communities of empowered people, with a strong sense of local identity, and builds empathy and understanding between neighbours.

Since launching Street Feast in 2010, we have grown into a network of community-led projects, supporting both new and established neighbourhoods across Ireland through Home Together and Our Shared Plate. At its core, our work is driven by the belief that small moments of connection can lead to profound changes, making neighbourhoods not just places to live but true communities to thrive.

Our year culminates with the national day of street lunches and community celebrations called ‘Street Feast’ that each year brings together over 110,000 people in 1,150 communities, through the simple act of sharing a meal with their neighbours. Since Street Feast began 10 years ago, we have seen over 7,500 Street Feasts take place across Ireland. President Michael D Higgins is the patron of Street Feast.

We are a young organisation that is building from the work of early social entrepreneurial pioneers. We are committed to achieving a high standard of organisational governance. 

Our Vision: We envision an Ireland where vibrant, inclusive communities are valued as a shared resource. In these communities, neighbours connect with ease, support one another, and collaborate to create safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives for everyone.

Our Mission: We develop community centred projects that inspire and invite people to gather and interact at social activities in their neighbourhoods. From these gatherings neighbourly relationships have the opportunity to grow and flourish. In this way our work empowers people to come together and gives them the confidence to work together on community projects.

Neighbourhood Network became a charity in 2024 and operates under the legal entity of Street Feast CLG. Company registration number 622674, Registered Charity Number: 20206679.

For more information about the organisation, visit www.neighbourhoodnetwork.i