Board Observers (pro-bono, voluntary, 2-4 days per year*)

A Board Observer is a "charity trustee in training". Observers attend the charity's quarterly board meetings to observe the work of the charity and discuss our progress towards our goals and help shape our strategic vision. This is an ideal opportunity to learn what trustee-ship is about, to discover more about our charity, our team and our work.

We especially welcome applications from people who have not previously been a trustee of a charity. Each board observer is "buddied up" with a more experienced trustee to develop their governance skills. Our charity also arranges online training via the NCVO in all aspects of charity governance, to develop your skills over 12-18 month period, with a view to becoming a trustee by mutual agreement at that point.

We are seeking people with the specific skills outlined below, to compliment the existing balance of skills and experiences on our charity's board. We are particularly interested in discussing the role with people :

• who have a grants and trusts fundraising background, or who have prior community fundraising experience in another voluntary sector setting
• who have professional media/press/communications/marketing experience 

We particularly welcome applications from people who traditionally have had fewer opportunities to volunteer as a board observer or trustee, including :

• People aged under 40 years old
• People who have not previously been a board observer or trustee with a charity
• People from ethnic minority backgrounds or heritage

*This year we are undertaking a wide-ranging review of the charity's strategy. This will require successful applicants to attend an additional 2-day residential workshop in Cambridge on Friday 14th/Saturday 15th October alongside our board, staff and volunteers (travel and accommodation expenses will be paid).

Haemochromatosis UK is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee and so prospective board observers/trustees must be eligible to act as trustee and as a company director. Further details on these responsibilities can be found here :

• Charity Commission : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3
• Companies House : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/being-a-company-director

Board observers must comply with the charity's policies, including the board observer/trustee conflict of interest policy and volunteering agreement.

To apply, download the board observer application form. Please complete and return the application form with a copy of your CV/resume (maximum 2 sides of A4). Completed applications should be sent to [email protected] or by post marked for the attention of our CEO.

Closing date : Noon on Friday 10th June 2022.

No agencies, please.