About us 

Since 1968, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has worked to support international students and promote their interests. UKCISA’s mission is to inform, advise and support international students and the education providers, students' unions and organisations who work with them.    

UKCISA is a charity, governed by a Board of volunteer trustees. Our trustees ensure that we are a well-run, financially sustainable, and dynamic organisation with impact for our members, for international students and for other stakeholders. 

We have over 400 member organisations across the UK. Our membership includes most publicly funded universities in the UK, many FE colleges and private HE providers, independent schools and students' unions.  

Our vision is that every international student who comes to the UK has a positive experience and is able to tell their friends and family that the UK is a welcoming place to study, and live. 

We are passionate about supporting our members to deliver an excellent student experience, from application to completion of student, and curating a body of evidence that demonstrates the value of international students and internationalisation in education. 

As well as advising students directly, we support our members by providing specialist training and up-to-date guidance about immigration rules and policies related to the wider student experience. By working collaboratively with our members and our student ambassadors, we can advocate on behalf of our communities with government departments and raise awareness of the benefits that international students bring to the UK to inform policy and narrative. 

We deliver the influential WeAreInternational student ambassador programme, enabling us to amplify the international student voice and raise awareness of the wide-ranging benefits that international students bring to the UK.    

• Quality – We maintain the highest possible standards for our staff and our members who work directly with international students. 

• Innovation – We evaluate and refresh our services, to ensure we deliver maximum value for our members. 

• Collaboration – We work collaboratively with our members, UK governments and partner organisations to provide a world class experience for international students. 

• Trust – We act with integrity and commitment to provide advice, guidance and training that international students and our members can depend on. 

Our income comes from a range of sources including membership subscriptions, training courses, conferences and events, sponsorship and strategic partnerships. Our latest Annual Report can be accessed here. 

Further information about us and the services we provide can be found on our website: ukcisa.org.uk 

Role description 

UKCISA Trustees are legally responsible for the organisation. They must ensure that it is well-run and delivers its charitable objectives. They must ensure that we work for and with its membership in all that it does. They maintain a collective responsibility at all times.  

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a significant commitment to UKCISA and its charitable objectives. Experience in one of its membership communities is desirable. 

Each vacancy is for three years in the first instance, with the option to be reselected for a further three years by mutual agreement. 

Responsibilities: 

 Management and governance 

• Ensure the organisation pursues its stated charitable objects as defined in its Articles of Association, by establishing a clear vision, mission, values and strategy, and ensuring that there is a common understanding of these by trustees, staff and other stakeholders. 

• Ensure operational plans and budgets support UKCISA’s vision and strategy, and that performance against its Strategic Plan is evaluated. 

• Ensure that the views of members, international students and other stakeholders are regularly consulted. 

• Monitor the external environment for changes that might impact UKCISA and its members (political, financial, demographic, etc). 

• Ensure that the organisation complies with the Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. 

• Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are in place. 

• Ensure that the organisation’s governance structure is appropriate to the organisation and its charitable objects and reflects the diversity of its stakeholders. 

Finance, audit and risk management 

• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation. 

• Protect and manage the organisation’s assets. 

• Regularly review major risks to the organisation and ensure that systems are in place to mitigate or minimise these risks. 

• Where required, seek professional advice on any matter that presents a material risk to the charity beyond the established risk management process, or where the trustees could be perceived to be in breach of their duties. 

 People and Organisational Development 

• Oversee arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive. 

• Manage performance of the chief executive in the management and administration of the organisation. 

• Ensure that the organisation acts in accordance with employment law and exercises a duty of care to its employees. 

• Ensure that the board regularly reviews its own training needs and creates an expectation of continuous professional development across the organisation. 

 Reputational 

• Embody the values of the organisation, and uphold its reputation with its members, funders and international students. 

 Person Specification 

 Essential 

• A commitment to the values of UKCISA and understanding of our charitable objectives 

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to attend meetings and contribute to the organisation’s vision and mission 

• An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. 

• An understanding of charity governance or a commitment to develop it 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team. 

• An ability to challenge in a constructive manner. 

• Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence. 

• Strategic thinking and ability to make good, informed, judgements 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A commitment to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity 

• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 

• An understanding of the issues facing international students in higher education today and the role of UKCISA in the sector. 

Desirable 

• Experience of working in a membership organisation 

• Experience of working in a student-facing organisation. 

• Knowledge of finance. 

• Knowledge of charity governance/law. 

• Knowledge of business development and/or fundraising in the not-for-profit context. 

• Expertise in marketing & communications. 

Terms of appointment: Trustees serve an initial three-year term and are eligible for re-appointment for a further three-year term, confirmed by the Board’s Nominations committee. In exceptional circumstances, trustees may be invited to stand for a final and third term. 

Remuneration: This is an unremunerated voluntary role, although reasonable expenses may be claimed for UKCISA duties carried out. 

Location: Anywhere in UK but must be able to travel to London for Board meetings. Trustees are also invited to attend UKCISA’s Annual Conference, which takes place at various UK locations in late June. 

Time commitment: Usually Four Trustee meetings per year (a combination of in-person and virtual meetings), plus correspondence in between Board meetings.

Time commitment will include but is not limited to: preparation time, reading papers, and responding to emails in between meetings. Trustees may also be invited to represent UKCISA at external thematic meetings related to their interests or skillset. In-person Board meetings usually take place in central London.  

Trustees are also invited to serve on one of the Board’s committees as part of their duties. Committees meet online, between 2-3 times a year, and require additional time to prepare, read papers and respond to emails in between meetings. 

UKCISA Trustee meetings usually last 2-3 hours, scheduled between 9-5pm, Monday to Friday. Trustees are also expected to attend occasional away days and the UKCISA annual conference in June. 

Responsible To: Chair of Trustees 

Term of Office: 3 years (renewable for a further 3 years, subject to confirmation) 

Salary: Unremunerated, with reasonable expenses paid 

Location: Remote, with occasional meetings in London/rest of UK.