US Board Member

Job Description:

Employment Type

Volunteer Trustee

Minimum Experience

Experienced

Application Deadline: 17th July 2025

(Please note this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants will be able to work remotely)

Restless Development is a global non profit agency. We support the collective power of young leaders to create a better world. Our young leaders lead change on some of the world’s biggest challenges - from gender inequality, youth unemployment to climate justice. All our work is co-led by young people in their local communities - and brought together by the Youth Collective, a growing global community for youth-led organisations. Ultimately we know that the best people to support young leaders are other young leaders.

Restless Development has close to 40 years of experience of youth-led development. Restless Development is repeatedly cited as the model for best practice in youth-led development by the World Bank, UNICEF, USAID, and others. We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and a growing Youth Collective with members in 185 countries. We are committed to creating an agency that walks the talk on power shifting, using the power shifting checklist, both internally and externally. Have a look at our strategy in a nutshell.

Restless Development USA

We are a US non-profit with 501(c)(3) status, working in collaboration with other Restless Development Hubs around the world. We are an essential satellite office of the global agency, with a primary focus on fundraising. Launched in Massachusetts in 2001, Restless Development USA is now entering an exciting new era as we reset our strategy - with multiple opportunities to grow our influence and income streams.

Over the next 3 years, Restless Development USA expects to:

• Significantly increase our US fundraising, especially flexible and unrestricted income - focusing on Trusts and Foundations, Major Donors, and Board Giving.
• Increase our profile in the US with key audiences, including philanthropists and development sector thought leaders.
• Catalyze youth power on global causes in the US - using key moments and target audiences to influence.

So how can you help?

We are looking for Restless-minded individuals with diverse skillsets who are prepared to join our Board of Directors, and support our important global work through stewardship of Restless Development USA.

Restless Development USA Board of Directors

The US Board of Directors is an active governance board of Restless Development USA, an independent affiliate of the global agency. The Board provides governance and oversight, and offers staff mentorship, advice, practical support, and connections. A top priority of the US Board of Directors is fundraising and profile-raising to sustain and grow the US hub.

Expectations of Board members:

• Participate in virtual quarterly meetings and attend an annual in-person retreat.
• Each Board member is expected to be an active member of at least one committee.
• Board members are expected to initiate and support fundraising, partnership, and profile-raising efforts throughout the year, by providing access to their networks.
• Board members are expected to be ambassadors for Restless Development and our values and goals, and to make connections with and encourage the support of friends, family, colleagues and other networks to advance the work of Restless Development.
• Attend prospect meetings and events, including hosting and moderating events on behalf of Restless Development.

Desired skills, experience and commitment:

• Belief in, and commitment to Restless Development’s mission, vision, and values. In particular, we believe in racial justice, feminist leadership, community engagement, and the power of young people.
• Interest in international development and Restless Development’s mission, and passion for learning more (experience in Africa or South Asia is a plus).
• Willingness and/or experience to help with fundraising efforts.
• Creative and innovative thinking; experience helping to create or grow start-ups or initiatives.
• A natural networker who builds trust and creates strong relationships easily and across sectors.
• Experience supporting similar size agencies in the international development sector with fundraising strategy.
• Strong networks within the trusts & foundations space and/or major donors, and an eagerness to introduce Restless to relevant contacts to significantly grow our donor base.
• Strong networks in or experience with corporate funders, corporate foundations, and bi- and multi-lateral funding agencies a plus.
• Restless Development believes in the power of young people to affect change at all levels of the organization, including our Board of Directors. We welcome applications from candidates of all ages, and particularly encourage those 35 and younger to apply.

Restless Development Values:

• Restless Development takes a Power Shifting approach - we are intentional in our approach to shift power and strengthen youth power in the majority world in all that we do. Our work is guided by the Power Shifting Checklist.
• Restless Development is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

How to Apply

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