CIWEM is recruiting Trustee members and an Early-Career Professional to join its Trustee Board

CIWEM represents and supports a community of thousands of members and organisations in over 90 countries who are dedicated to improving water and environmental management for the benefit of the public.

Our aim is to work towards a safer, more sustainable world. Our mission is to build a global community of water and environmental professionals dedicated to working for the public benefit.

Our culture and organisational strategy is founded upon two principles: that we are relevant and accessible to all. This drives our passion to create an environment that is safe and encouraging for all people to express themselves and participate fully and to add to the richness that a diversity of perspectives bring.

In 2022 we are seeking applications to fill vacant positions on CIWEM’s Trustee Board with high calibre people who will be able to shape the future of the water and environment profession as well as that of CIWEM itself. In addition to these vacancies we are seeking an “Early Career Professional” who has all the competencies of a Trustee Member however hasn’t been in a senior position for the required amount of time. This role will allow the successful applicant to gain knowledge of how CIWEM functions and in particular that of the Trustee Board and its sub-committees and will be assigned a mentor.

CIWEM is committed to diversity and inclusion and to bring about lasting change that is needed to shape a better, more diverse future. We know that diversity expands and advances knowledge by including the world’s best thinking.

We will always stand up for diverse voices among our colleagues, volunteers and members. Bringing together people with different backgrounds and experiences fosters creativity and innovation; we believe that we need diverse voices to advance our mission, which has never been more important.

Trustee Board members serve on a voluntary basis but are reimbursed out of pocket expenses for attending meetings and for undertaking certain activities on behalf of the Institution.

The Role

• Trustees of CIWEM serve for an initial period of three years, and exceptionally up to a maximum two further terms of Office of three years for each term.
• Trustees contribute to the business and strategic oversight of the Institution and are committed to the principle of collective responsibility.
• Trustees bring a specific set of skills, experience and attributes in order to contribute to the overall balance of these on the Trustee Board.
• Trustees engage actively with members, stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Institution and support the Chief Executive and the executive team.
• Trustees are expected to act as ambassadors for CIWEM to promote its work and its membership.

The Candidate

• Must have an ability to help CIWEM deliver its strategic objectives and formulate policy. CIWEM is open to applications from members and non-members, but membership of CIWEM is required prior to a new Trustee being ratified. Non-members will be facilitated into membership following selection as a potential Trustee.
• Must comply with the requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales (and its counterpart body in Scotland) for Trusteeship, and be prepared to sign a Trustee Declaration that confirms compliance with such requirements. (please see www.charity-commission.gov.uk).
• Must be of good character and ethically driven.
• Must have a good understanding of the professional body and charity sector.
• Must be able to commit an average of 15 days per annum which will include attending 5 Trustee Board meetings each year and meetings of its Boards and Committees as required (this may vary for international candidates).

The Appointment Process

• Any current CIWEM member or non-member willing to pursue an application for CIWEM membership may apply.
• Applications will be assessed and short-listed with the support of an independent advisor.
• Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a selection panel chaired by an independent person.
• Interviews are expected to take place on 6th and 7th July 2022. Candidates are asked to protect these dates in their diaries please (we are hoping to host interviews in London however will also offer a virtual option).
• The Trustee Nominations Committee will make its recommendations on appointments to the Trustee Board in September and new Trustees will be invited to join this meeting in line with Government guidelines at that time.
• New Trustees will be asked to attend an induction Training day on Wednesday 7th September 2022.

A full Trustee Information Pack is available here:

If, after you’ve accessed the information pack you decide to apply please provide:

• Your Curriculum Vitae (max. 4 pages)
• A covering letter explaining why you want to become a Trustee and
• A completed Full and Proper Person Form

These should be sent by email to governance@ciwem.org. The closing date for applications is midday on Sunday 29th May 2022.

If you have any questions please email governance@ciwem.org or call +44(0)207 831 3110.