Location: Remote, with at least one visit to Zambia during a three-year term
Position: Trustee
Type: Voluntary
Time commitment: Three x two-hour Board meetings per year, with pre-reading. Trustees also join at least one subcommittee, which meets before each Board meeting.
Expenses: Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
About On Call Africa
On Call Africa supports the development of strong and effective rural health systems in the Southern Province of Zambia. We work to improve access to healthcare and health outcomes for marginalised communities, while building capacity within the health system. Our aim is to develop approaches that can be replicated by the Ministry of Health or partner organisations to maximise and sustain impact.
We work collaboratively with partners and with the Ministry of Health at district, provincial and national level. Our programmes focus on strengthening rural health facilities and community health systems, while also supporting the wider structures that enable effective service delivery. We pilot and test new approaches to build evidence for wider investment and policy influence.
On Call Africa has successfully transitioned from a founder led organisation to one led by professional staff, with leadership now based in Zambia. This shift is a key achievement of our localisation strategy.
Introduction
On Call Africa is seeking to appoint new Trustees to support the next stage of our organisational development. We are looking for individuals with a strong interest in international development and a good understanding of the Zambian context. While this is not essential, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates with expertise in any of the following areas:
- Charity leadership and governance
- Health system strengthening
- Financial management
Over the past few years On Call Africa has transitioned from a volunteer led organisation into a growing professional charity. Our income has increased from one hundred and nineteen thousand pounds in 2019 to a projected annual income of more than one million pounds in 2026. From 2027 we will begin delivering a new five-year organisational strategy and we are recruiting Trustees who can guide us through this next phase.
Our current Board includes public health professionals, finance specialists, international development experts and business leaders. The charity has two full time staff in the United Kingdom, and twenty-eight full time staff based in Zambia.
We are seeking Trustees who are passionate, motivated and able to provide strong leadership. Candidates should be able to commit the time required to support the charity as it continues to grow.
Role Description
As a charity trustee at On Call Africa, you will play a critical role as part of our Board. Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the charity’s affairs, ensuring it is solvent, well run and delivering the outcomes for which it exists. Trustees focus on strategic direction rather than day to day operations, although there may be occasions where operational involvement is required. In these cases, Trustees should be clear about the distinction between strategic and operational roles.
Trustee Responsibilities:
Statutory duties
- Ensure the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and all relevant regulations.
- Ensure the organisation pursues its charitable objects.
- Ensure resources are used exclusively to pursue these objects.
- Contribute actively to strategic direction, policy setting, goal definition and performance evaluation.
- Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
- Ensure effective and efficient administration.
- Ensure financial stability.
- Protect and manage the property of the charity and ensure proper investment of funds.
- Appoint and support the Chief Executive Officer and monitor performance.
Additional responsibilities
Trustees should use their specific skills, knowledge and experience to support sound decision-making and ensure the organisation fulfils its purpose. This includes:
- Attending Board meetings and other meetings as required.
- Participating in at least one subcommittee.
- Reviewing Board papers and other communications.
- Leading discussions and offering guidance in areas of expertise.
- Upholding and promoting On Call Africa policies, including Safeguarding, Diversity and Equal Opportunities and Information Governance.
- Representing and promoting On Call Africa to partners, stakeholders, funders and the wider public.
- Contributing to areas of special expertise as needed.
Person Specification:
Essential
- A strong commitment to the charity’s mission and values.
- A visible passion for improving rural health systems in Zambia.
- A successful track record of achievement in your career.
- The ability to think strategically and contribute to effective governance.
Desirable
- Experience of charity governance or working with a Board of Trustees.
- Knowledge of the civil society sector and current issues affecting it.
- Experience of health system strengthening.
- Experience of international development, ideally within Zambia.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a short statement outlining your interest in the role and the skills you would bring. Send your application to info@oncallafrica.org with the subject line: Trustee Application – [Your Name].
Application deadline: 30 July 2026
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