YBI is the global network of expert organisations in over 50 countries supporting underserved young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening communities.

Young people are a critical resource but, with approximately 70m unemployed youth worldwide, this potential is not being realised. Furthermore, of those who are working, many do not earn enough to lift themselves out of poverty. Addressing the youth employment crisis is imperative, not only for the well-being of young people but to ensure sustainable, inclusive growth and social cohesion globally.

In 2021, the YBI Network supported 141,017 young people by delivering a range of practical entrepreneurship support services, from guiding a young person to register a new business and improving their bookkeeping skills to helping them write a business plan or grow their fledgling business through facilitating access to finance. It has also recently developed a focus on providing bespoke support for young entrepreneurs whose business has a green or social mission. Funders and partners of these programmes include Accenture, Google, IKEA and Standard Chartered.

The network's more than 50 member organisation are diverse - spanning six continents and ranging from training organisations, microfinance institutions, mentoring specialists to business associations and incubators. Locally rooted and locally led, YBI's members combine deep contextual knowledge with YBI’s sector-leading, global expertise and tools to become local engines of youth entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, YBI has an ambitious goal is to create one million jobs by helping young entrepreneurs start, strengthen or grow 250,000 businesses. As part of this, it will look to grow its membership numbers by 60%, diversify its revenues beyond its key funders and further develop its presence in mainland Europe; this will allow it to reach even more young entrepreneurs globally and adapt its programmes to their dynamic needs. You can read YBI's Impact Report 2021 here.

Youth Business International is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in the UK. YBI currently has a Board of eight motivated and involved Trustees with a wide range of experience and perspectives from the corporate, entrepreneurship, and international development sectors, as well as the YBI membership.

As YBI spans the worlds of entrepreneurship, impact and global business, the current Board comprises senior executives from the most coveted global organisations like Accenture, KPMG or Google, together with accomplished entrepreneurs, communications professionals and lawyers.

Working together, Trustees hold the Senior Management Team to account for the charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership, and fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of YBI. They support and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that agreed objectives are achieved, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process. As appropriate, they act as an ambassador for the charity in relation to the members and external stakeholders.

Beyond formal meetings, Trustees are encouraged to get involved, as time allows, with YBI more broadly and input on any matters which arise.

To complement the current skill sets of the Board, YBI is looking for up to three new Trustees with expertise in sustainability/ESG/responsible business, or entrepreneurship, ecosystem and impact measurements, or fundraising.

The new Trustees will be able to help drive YBI’s new ambitious strategy and help take the impact even further. Candidates can be based anywhere in the world, with some preference given to those based in the US, Latin America or Asia.

Sustainability / ESG / Responsible Business: Given YBI's focus on support for young entrepreneurs whose business has a green or social mission, candidates will bring an in-depth understanding the practical issues facing organisations, either large or small, as they look to achieve net zero and evaluate their social impact. Preferred candidates will come with a point of view on how their expertise could be shared with the organisations that YBI supports, and how to use this knowledge to tell a powerful story of impact driven by youth-led businesses.

Entrepreneurship / Ecosystem / Impact Measurements: As YBI aims to play a leading role in influencing global businesses and institutions to invest in youth entrepreneurship, applicants will have extensive experience in delivering significant business growth programmes and an understanding of measuring impact, whether as a global investor, accelerator lead or leading a development consultancy. YBI is looking for a deep understanding of systemic challenges in the global entrepreneurship space and experience in unlocking opportunities with data, advocacy and large-scale paid projects.

Fundraising: As YBI looks to broaden its revenue streams, both by developing its membership and engaging with new funders, candidates will have experience of either forging partnerships or attracting grants with foundations or government. They will be able to contribute to a wider conversation about the fundraising strategy and advise on how YBI can best position itself to raise more unrestricted funds and drive further impact. Preferred candidates will come in with a book of warm leads that they are willing to engage with on behalf of YBI.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets four times per year, twice face to face and twice virtually, for two or three hours. Trustees also join one of the three Committees, across Audit & Risk, Remuneration, Membership, which also meet up to four times per year. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed twice at the discretion of the Board.

This organisation is based in London and meetings will take place both virtually and in person. Candidates can be located anywhere in the world; YBI will expect encourage in-person attendance at Board meetings at least once per year, and will cover international travel costs for this as needed.