International Board Trustee – Animal Welfare

About World Animal Protection

World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare. In our 75th year (2025), we continue to move the world to protect animals—working with communities, business, civil society and governments to create lasting change. We work across the world to end cruelty and suffering for wild and farmed animals, tackling the systems that drive exploitation and harm.

We collaborate with global institutions and policy-makers—including the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Council of Europe—to secure systemic, sustainable change for animals at scale. Our work advances animal welfare while contributing to biodiversity, public health and climate goals.

Our Governance

World Animal Protection is a UK-registered charity and company, working through affiliated offices worldwide. We are governed by an International Board of up to 13 Trustees with statutory duties under UK company and charity law. The Board sets strategic direction, ensures effective oversight and risk management, and delegates day-to-day management to the Chief Executive Officer. Board committees provide focused assurance and decision-making across key areas.

The opportunity

We are seeking an International Board Trustee with deep animal welfare expertise to strengthen the Board’s capability and assurance across our global strategy and programmes. You will help us navigate complex trade-offs and champion evidence-led, scalable solutions that improve the lives of millions of animals.

In addition to the general person specification required for all trustees, we’re looking for the following specific skills and experience:

• Leading-edge thinking in animal sentience.
• Thought leadership in animal advocacy, conveyed with gravitas and credibility.
• Compelling communication and storytelling linking animal welfare to conservation, biodiversity, the environment and climate change.
• Comfort with a moderate stance that focuses on achieving systemic, sustainable change for animals.

International Board Trustee Role Description_Animal Welfare

Appointment terms

• Location: Global/remote, with virtual and occasional in-person meetings.
• Time commitment: Every trustee is expected to prepare for and participate in regular World Animal Protection International Board meetings (currently four per annum, two in person lasting up to two days with a possible additional mission visit day, and two online of approximately five hours duration. They may also be asked to serve on a Board Committee with quarterly online meetings of up to two hours. In addition to preparing for meetings, trustees may also be asked to support senior staff in certain projects, initiatives, or areas in which they have specialist skills, knowledge, or experience.  The minimum time commitment is likely to amount to 8 days plus travel.
• Expenses: The position is not remunerated; however, World Animal Protection covers the cost of travel and reasonable expenses in line with its Travel Policy and Expenses Procedure.
• Term: Trustees are appointed to serve a maximum of two terms of four years.

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date: 12^th October 2025

Please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’ above.

Upload a CV (maximum four pages) and a cover letter (both in English, in MS Word) using the following file names:

• FirstName_Surname_CV_WAP_AW
• FirstName_Surname_CL_WAP_AW

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]

Inclusion

At WAP, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds—particularly those traditionally under-represented in governance and leadership.

Red Sea takes our responsibility towards protecting your personal data very seriously. The data you provide is processed in line with relevant data protection legislation. For the purposes of this recruitment, and as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Red Sea is defined as the Data Controller.

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.