The Organisation
The Organisation: EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL / AFS Ireland) is an Irish not for profit educational organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, youth leadership, language, scholarships, group educational programmes, and other cultural immersion opportunities for over 1,800 people each year. As a company limited by guarantee “CLG” and a registered charity it is regulated by the Charities Regulatory Authority “CRA” and the Companies Registration Office “CRO”. With income of just under €6,000,000 in 2025, EIL/ AFS Ireland is both a large and complex charity, given the work with young people and internationally. The organisation appoints an independent Auditor and the charity’s accounts are under SOPR standards since 2024: requiring a higher level of financial transparency.
EIL arrived in Ireland in 1964 and has been operating continuously as the current entity since the 1980s. In 2017 it was recognised as a registered charity. Whilst primarily welcoming international students to spend a secondary school year in Ireland, EIL has also developed expertise in providing educational programmes for older adults through the Road Scholar lifelong learning programme. EIL Explore Scholarship Programme was established in 1994 to provide scholarships for Irish residents to travel abroad on SDG focused programmes. Since then, the charity invested over €2,000,000 and hundreds of Irish residents from diverse backgrounds have had fully funded intercultural learning experiences around the world.
In 2018, EIL Ireland joined the AFS International network, creating EIL/AFS Ireland, a dynamic non-for-profit organisation. The missions of EIL and AFS are aligned although both organisations developed separately. By matching the strong educational and youth focus of AFS, with EIL’s experience of working with lifelong learners, a dynamic new educational not-for-profit organisation emerged. Our organisation is underpinned by the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the understanding that intercultural competencies are key skills in an increasingly interconnected and globalised world.
International Memberships
Federation EIL - Global network of intercultural learning organisations.
AFS Intercultural Programs - Leading global exchange network.
European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL) - European platform for intercultural education.
National Memberships
National Youth Council of Ireland- National representative body for youth organisations.
Comhlámh - Ethical global volunteering and development support network.
The Wheel - Ireland’s national association for charities, community, and voluntary organisations.
The Cork Chamber of Commerce
The Charities Institute Ireland
Vision, Mission, Values
Vision:A just world where all cultures thrive together in peace and understanding.
Mission:Our Mission is to inspire active global citizenship and personal development through intercultural learning and travel and our vision is to create a just world where all cultures thrive together in peace and understanding.
Values:Diversity, Curiosity, Collaboration, Integrity.
Leadership and Structure
EIL / AFS Ireland is governed by a volunteerBoard. The organisation is led by theChief Executive Officer, supported by theHead of Finance and Administrationand theHead of Programmes.
EIL operates throughthree key departments:
Cultural Groups Department– responsible for planning and running educational group travel.
Study Abroad Department– coordinates international placements for academic learning and cultural immersion.
Global Citizenship Department / Explore Scholarship Awards– supports volunteering and short-term intercultural experiences.
Our website: https://www.eilireland.org/
Annual Accounts- Annual Accounts
Annual Reports-Annual Reports
Strategic Plan-Strategic Plan 2025-2030
Board: https://www.eilireland.org/about-eil-ireland/people/eil-board/
The Role
The Role: EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS Ireland) is seeking a highly experienced and skilled board member with finance expertise who will lead the Audit & Risk Committee.
Role Requirements and Key Responsibilities Include
Lead the Board of Directors on all financial matters.
Evaluate and monitor the adequacy of finance policies and procedures and ensure that the organisation is compliant with best practice principles.
Chair the Audit & Risk Committee.
Skills and Experience Required
Financial and Accounting Expertise: a qualified accountant who has operated at a senior level.
Governance and Compliance Leadership: strong knowledge of non-profit or corporate governance, best practice in financial and governance and financial compliance. Familiarity with SORP standards would be an advantage.
Financial management and oversight: ability to interpret financial reports, budgets, and forecasts.
Audit and Risk Oversight: must have a solid experience in financial strategy and management: understanding of internal controls, risk frameworks, and compliance.
Strategic planning: experienced in aligning financial decisions with long-term organisational goals and financial planning. The person will guide the Board in making the right decisions that ensures the organisation’s financial sustainability, and growth and align with its mission.
Communication and Reporting Skills: the ability to communicate complex financial information effectively and efficiently to the Board and other stakeholders, including non-financial Board members.
Integrity and Trustworthiness: high ethical standards, integrity, and trustworthiness is critical. The person must always act in the best interests of the organisation.
Previous or current membership of a board in Ireland.
Previous or current membership of an Audit & Risk Committee, ideally as Chair.
Charities Regulator’s General Duties of a Charity Board Member
Comply with the charity’s governing document.
Ensure the charity is complying with its charitable purpose for the public benefit.
Act in the best interest of the charity.
Act with reasonable care and skill.
Manage the assets of your charity.
Board Meetings
The board meets 6 to 8 times per year. Three board meetings are held online between 19.00 and 21.00 hours, and three meetings are in person in our Cork office, usually between 11.00 and 15.00 hours. The first meeting of the year is a full day in person.
Board Committees of the Organisation
There are two board committees: Audit & Risk and HR & Governance. The successful candidate will Chair the Audit & Risk Committee. The committees meet online to:
Oversee audit, ensure accurate financial reporting. Meet to review draft Audit (usually May-June).
Identify, assess, and mitigate high priority strategic financial risks.
Oversee adherence to financial laws and regulations of the company law and charity law.
Report audit findings and risk assessments to the full board and make recommendations.
This is a voluntary role and is not remunerated.
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