Development Team Director

3 day (21 hours) per week average, permanent role

The European Chairs Assembly (ECA) is a collaboration between European Triratna Buddhist Centres and some of Triratna’s other major charitable organisations, each represented by their respective Chair or Director.

The three main structures of the ECA are the Membership (the Chairs and Directors) who hold voting rights; the Executive, a small elected group of volunteer Chairs who help shape and direct the meetings; and the Development Team, a small team who are responsible for project development and implementation of the priorities of the membership.

A recent review of the ECA’s structure and processes identified the need to appoint a new Director of the Development Team. 

NB - there are no prior preferred candidates for this role, and applications from any suitably qualified Order members are welcomed.

Key Responsibilities

The main functions of this role would be twofold: 

• to develop new projects and manage the ECA’s current projects, in accordance with the ECA memberships strategic priorities
• to provide management and pastoral care to the other members of the Development Team, as well any temporary employees, freelancers or volunteers commissioned to carry out work on behalf of the ECA

The current projects which the Director/Development Team will be involved with,  along with others,  include:

• ECA meeting organisation and all the ECA’s legal functions as a charity
• managing the Development Fund contributions and budgets for the Executive
• implementation of the recent ECA review proposal
• the Racial Diversity project
• the Young People’s project
• the Group and Pioneers project
• supporting growth, training, support and resources for Buddhist centres 
• safeguarding in our centres
• translations
• liaison with other Buddhist Groups

These projects have been pursued in accordance with the ECA memberships priorities set in 2020, but are subject to change following an upcoming strategic priorities exercise in 2025.

Suitability and Characteristics 

Candidates should feel they fit all of the essential characteristics, while stronger candidates may also have some preferred skills or characteristics.

Essential

• be a Triratna Order member of good standing, and be inspired by the vision and activities of the ECA Development Team
• excellent project management skills, with the ability to guide and maintain oversight of a variety of projects simultaneously
• excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage in difficult conversations when required
• experience of managing employees and/or volunteers, ideally in a Triratna context
• be inspired by the principles of right-livelihood, and a willingness to guide the culture of the team to express these principles 
• able and willing to attend twice yearly ECA meetings at Adhisthana (7 days) and twice yearly in-person executive meetings in the UK or Europe
• technically competent in the use of basic online tools (e.g excel, google docs/sheets, gmail, zoom etc)
• has an excellent command of the English language 
• be based in a European country (including the UK)

Preferred

• experience of working or taking significant organisational responsibility (e.g as a trustee etc) within a Triratna Buddhist Centre or right-livelihood organisation
• experience of the ECA, especially as a former or current Chair or Director
• has a good understanding of the financial aspects of running a charitable organisation e.g. budgets, payroll, pensions etc
• has an interest and understanding of the relationships between the ECA and other Triratna bodies e.g. the College, International Council, FutureDharma Fund, etc

Team and Work Context

The Development Team comprises a core employed team who usually hold more significant responsibilities, supported by various contract and temporary workers as required by current needs.

Current team members are:

• Aparajita, Executive Officer. (0.6 FTE)
• Hridayagita, Safeguarding Officer (0.6 FTE)
• Viryanaga, Centre Development Consultant (freelance)
• Munisha, Liaison Officer (0.2 FTE)

Recruitment is shortly commencing for two new racial diversity coordinators (0.4-0.6 FTE each), and proposals are currently being considered for 0.2 FTE young person’s coordinator.

Work location

The members of the Development Team are based at various centres around the UK and Europe, so team members work remotely and currently meet online as a team on Monday mornings. The role of Director would therefore be home based, although you would be required to attend the twice yearly ECA meetings (7 days each, January  and June and usually held at Adhishtana, UK), and at least two in-person Executive meetings (1-2 days, usually but not necessarily hosted at a UK Buddhist centre)

Hours of work

This role is initially offered 3 days per week (21 hours). Some flexibility in working hours/days would be beneficial, especially around ECA meetings (see above)

Support

Our principle is to provide a level of support which offers a simple, dignified standard of living  supportive of Buddhist practice. 

In the UK, the level of financial support is set by the independent Living Wage Foundation, which is linked to the cost of living. For 2024, this is £12.00ph outside of London, and £13.15ph within London. For applicants from other European countries, an alternative support rate providing the equivalent standard of living will be offered.

In addition to base support, we also provide 24 days paid leave per year (40 days pro-rata, and including bank holidays), a generous retreat allowance, and 4% employer pension contributions.

Application and Timeline

To apply, please complete and return a brief application form

Closing date for applications is 7th August 2024

Online interviews by the ECA Exec will happen between 14th-16th August

Start date negotiable, but would ideally be the start of September

For further information about the role, or to submit an application (see attached) please contact: info@triratnadevelopment.org