An Opportunity to Make a Difference: KCYS Welcomes New Board Members

Jan 15, 2026 | Current Vacancies, News & Events

Kerry Community Youth Service (KCYS) Board is expanding to recruit new non-Executive Directors

ABOUT KCYS:

This is an exciting time to join KCYS, and to guide and steward our further strategic development over the coming years. In 2026 this will include contributing to the articulation of our next Strategic Plan in collaboration with our new incoming CEO.

Founded in 1971 as Kerry Diocesan Youth Service, we are a voluntary youth work organisation providing a range of programmes and services to young people and communities across the entire county of Kerry, the Beara Peninsula and the North West Cork region of Duhallow.

Following extensive consultation with young people, volunteers, stakeholders and the local community, in 2024 we changed our name to Kerry Community Youth Service.

KCYS is a registered charity and operates in accordance with the Charity Regulator guidance. KCYS is Governance Code Compliant and was awarded Triple Lock status in January 2024.

Our vision is for all young people to be valued and supported to achieve their full potential as participating members of the community.

Our mission is that KCYS is a community-based youth work organisation committed to serving all young people in a safe, fun and positive environment, through the provision of youth spaces, services, mentoring, training and ongoing opportunities for their holistic development, and by advocating for their needs.

Our strategic goals for 2023 to 2026 are:

• Support young people in Kerry to achieve their full potential
• Provide targeted and integrated supports to meet the needs of young people in Kerry and their families
• Be recognised as a centre of excellence for youth work
• Establish ourselves as an independent young person-centred charity
• Strengthen our governance, management and internal coordination
• Be an organisation that enables staff and volunteers to deliver and develop

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

In recent years, KCYS has taken great steps to strengthen our governance, management and internal coordination.

In that spirit, we are looking to recruit additional new Non-Executive Directors. We are particularly interested in hearing from interested applicants with one or more the following skills or lived experience:

• Human Resources & Industrial Relations.
• Legal
• Fundraising
• Social enterprise and mission-led commercial development
• Youth work
• Marketing and PR
• Charity governance

New Board members will also be expected to Chair or participate in subcommittees of the Board as required.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must have the capacity to be an active member of the Board. See information below about time commitment.

Candidates with local knowledge, previous Board experience and a background working with young people and in the voluntary sector are preferred.

Willingness to work with the KCYS Youth Advisory Group and to take the wishes and views of young people in line with our commitment to youth participation is also a priority for KCYS Board members.

Our goal is to maintain a gender balance on the Board.

Candidates would thus ideally be based in Kerry or the neighbouring counties or at least willing to commit to attending a number of in-person meetings per year. Whilst most Board and committee meetings are held online, the Board meets in person twice a year at one of its centres. Trustees are also invited to attend various local events including the AGM and training days.

TIME COMMITMENT & OTHER INFORMATION

You will be expected to attend regular KCYS Board meetings (approx. 10 per year) and the AGM.

You will be expected to actively contribute to one of the Board’s sub-committees.

Most KCYS governance meetings are held virtually on weekday evenings. The full Board meets in person at least twice a year.

(Note that we are in the process of reviewing and strengthening our Board meetings and workings with sub-committees which may impact meeting cadence. More information can be discussed with candidates during the application process.)

KCYS Board may also call single item/specific purpose meetings and working groups on occasion as needed.

You will be expected to devote appropriate preparation time in advance of meetings to read through papers and related documents.

You may also be invited to attend occasional briefings or educational sessions and/or meetings or conferences with staff and volunteers of KCYS.

KCYS will provide new Board members induction training and on-going Board development.

The term of office is three years with an option to be reappointed for a second and third term.

This is a Trustee role. In accordance with Regulatory requirements this role is not remunerated. Necessary and vouched expenses are reimbursed following approval by the Board Chairperson

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

While this role as a Non-Executive Director of KCYS CLG is on a voluntary basis, members have the same legal duties and responsibilities as any Director. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of these duties and responsibilities. If you would like further information about these roles and responsibilities, please contact us.

The CEO is responsible for the day-to day management of the organisation and for implementing the strategy and policies approved by the Board. The CEO is accountable to the Board and will report to the Board regularly on the organisation’s performance.

Board members will be required to sign KCYS’s Code of Conduct for Charity Trustees in order to confirm your intention to comply with its provisions during your term of office.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email a brief CV and cover letter to the following email address:

boardrecruitment@kcys.ie  

This recruitment will remain open until we have filled the vacancies on the Board.  For further information please contact: boardrecruitment@kcys.ie