Recruitment of Board of Trustees

Terms of Reference (ToR): Recruitment of Board of Trustees

This Ability

1. Background

This Ability Trust is a women-led nonprofit organization amplifying the voices, building capacity, and creating visibility for women and girls with disabilities across Kenya and beyond. The Trust is pioneering innovative models — Mama Siri (community care services), Paza (evidence based advocacy), and Skills (training & leadership) — to advance disability inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response.

To strengthen governance, strategic oversight, and long-term sustainability, This Ability Trust seeks to recruit a Board of Trustees composed of highly qualified, diverse, and committed individuals.

2. Purpose of the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees will:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the Trust’s mission and programs.
• Safeguard the Trust’s values, vision, and financial sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with Kenyan laws, global best practices, and donor requirements.
• Act as ambassadors for the Trust, mobilizing resources and partnerships.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Trustees will collectively and individually be expected to:

Governance & Strategy

• Approve strategic plans, budgets, and annual reports.
• Guide the alignment of Mama Siri, Paza and Skills within the Trust’s mission.
• Oversee risk management, compliance, and organizational performance.

Financial Oversight

• Ensure effective use of funds and transparency in reporting.
• Review audited accounts and approve financial policies.
• Support resource mobilization through networks, introductions, and advocacy.

Advocacy & Representation

• Represent the Trust in key national, regional, and global forums.
• Champion disability inclusion and rights-based approaches.
• Promote partnerships with donors, governments, private sector, and civil society.

Support to Management

• Recruit, support, and review performance of the Program Manager.
• Provide mentorship and expertise to the management team when required.

4. Composition and Membership

The Board will be composed of 5 -7 members, ensuring:

• Majority representation of women with disabilities.
• Diversity in geography, age, and lived experience.
• Expertise in areas such as: Disability Rights, SRHR/GBV, Law, Finance, ICT/Data, Governance, Philanthropy, Social enterprise, Venture Philanthropy and Impact Investment to support sustainability of our platforms.

5. Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
• Have leadership experience in governance, nonprofit management, or business.
• Be of good standing with no history of financial or ethical misconduct.
• Be willing to serve in a voluntary capacity (reasonable expenses reimbursed).
• Be available for at least four board meetings per year, plus committee/task-force work as required.

6. Term of Office

• Trustees will serve a three-year term, renewable once based on performance and board needs.
• Staggered terms will be introduced to ensure continuity.

7. Recruitment Process

• Call for applications will be issued publicly and shared within networks.
• Interested candidates will submit: CV, cover letter, references, and disclosure of interests.
• A Nominations Committee (formed from current advisors and interim trustees) will shortlist and interview candidates.
• Final selection will be approved by the current founding trustees.

8. Code of Conduct & Commitment

All Trustees will be required to:

• Sign a Code of Conduct covering integrity, safeguarding, and conflict of interest.
• Uphold the principles of inclusion, accountability, and transparency.
• Advocate actively for the Trust in their personal and professional networks.

9. Timeline

• Call for Applications: December 19th to January 09th, 2026
• Shortlisting & Interviews: January 12th to 30th, 2026
• Induction of New Trustees: February 9th to 20th, 2026
• First Meeting of Reconstituted Board: TBC

10. Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit their application to:
board@this-ability.org with the subject line: Application – Trustee Recruitment, This Ability Trust, before January 09, 2025