The Organisation

Christian Aid was born out of faith in action. Since our establishment in 1945, in response to the refugee crisis in post-war Europe, we have stood alongside people in their moments of greatest need, while working to address the underlying causes of poverty and injustice. Grounded in our Christian identity, we believe everyone should be treated with equal dignity, have the opportunity to realise their rights and fulfil their God-given potential. Our values of love, dignity, equality and justice guide how we work and the partnerships we build with people of all faiths and beliefs.

Today, Christian Aid works alongside communities and local partners across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean to respond to crises, strengthen resilience and tackle poverty at its roots. We believe people affected by poverty are best placed to lead change in their own lives, and we work with them to develop sustainable solutions and strengthen their influence. Through partnership, advocacy and the support of churches, we seek to challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty and build a more just and peaceful world.

The Role

Christian Aid is seeking to appoint a new Finance Trustee to bring significant charity finance experience to the Board and strengthen its oversight of financial matters. The Finance Trustee will play an important role in supporting good governance and strategic decision-making, helping ensure that Christian Aid’s financial resources are managed effectively and sustainably.

Working alongside fellow Trustees and the executive team, the Finance Trustee will provide constructive challenge and independent judgement, helping the Board understand financial performance, risks and opportunities. They will ensure that financial information is clear, accurate and meaningful, and support Trustees from a range of professional backgrounds to understand its implications for Christian Aid’s work and long-term sustainability.

The Finance Trustee will:

• provide constructive challenge and independent judgement on financial matters
• ensure financial information presented to the Board is accurate, timely and meaningful
• help the Board understand key financial issues, risks and opportunities
• support effective decision-making by clearly communicating financial information and its implications.

The Person

Essential knowledge and experience

• A recognised accounting qualification.
• Significant charity finance experience.
• Knowledge of the governance obligations and responsibilities of Trustees.
• Experience of financial oversight, including management accounts, cash flow, forecasting and financial reporting.
• A good understanding of financial reporting, management accounts, cash flow, forecasting and financial risk.
• The ability to identify key financial and organisational risks and communicate these clearly.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive and collaborative relationships.

Desirable knowledge and experience
It would be desirable if candidates also had experience in some of the following areas:

• Knowledge of the workings of NGOs in the UK and Ireland.
• Knowledge of the social, cultural, economic and political dimensions of international relief and development.
• Experience in an international organisation.
• Experience and understanding of diversity.
• Charity income generation.
• Experience gained outside the charity sector that complements charity finance and governance.

Personal qualities
Candidates must be able to demonstrate a combination of intellect, personal presence, energy and creativity sufficient to contribute at Board level. The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• Strategic vision and the ability to operate effectively at Board level.
• Good independent judgement and the ability to identify key issues from complex information.
• The ability to think creatively and solve problems effectively.
• A willingness to speak their mind and provide constructive challenge.
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Leadership skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• A calm, engaging and diplomatic approach, with the confidence to support open discussion and effective decision-making.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.

Commitment
Christian Aid values and encourages diversity on its Board and welcomes people from all sections of the Christian community. Board members are expected to be active Christians, helping to lead, direct and develop Christian Aid as the Churches’ agency for international development and poverty eradication.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• A passion for poverty eradication and social justice.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced in developing countries.
• Commitment to Christian Aid’s values and objectives.
• An understanding of Christian Aid’s role as the Churches’ relief, development, advocacy and campaigning agency for international development and poverty eradication.
• Sympathy with and support for Christian Aid as a Christian organisation, working with churches, ecumenical bodies, local NGOs, organisations of other faiths and movements that share its values and have the competence to contribute to poverty eradication.

Further Information

For further information about Christian Aid, the role and the person they are looking for, please download the Candidate Information Pack.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this brilliant opportunity of Finance Trustee please provide the following:

• An up to date CV with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission)
• A supporting statement, which addresses the criteria in the Person Specification, along with your motivations for applying.

Trustees Unlimited will be handling all enquiries and applications. Please send your application to: applications@trustees-unlimited.co.uk including 'Christian Aid' in the subject heading.

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please reach out to Melissa Baxter at melissa.baxter@trustees-unlimited.co.uk / 07789 985229.

Closing date for applications: Monday 28th September 2026
Interview dates with Christian Aid: 15th - 19th October 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

Board Advisers

If you are interested in contributing to the governance and mission of Christian Aid but feel that the Finance Trustee role is not the right fit for your experience, we would still be delighted to hear from you.

Alongside this appointment, Christian Aid is also looking to strengthen its pool of Board Advisers. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Investments
• Pensions
• Charity fundraising

If you are motivated by Christian Aid's mission and believe your skills could make a meaningful contribution, we encourage you to get in touch.