TRUSTEE (SCIENCE AND HEALTH EDUCATION)

TRUSTEE (SCIENCE AND HEALTH EDUCATION) 

REMUNERATION: Unpaid role Expenses reimbursed 

SUMMARY 

Do you want to help prevent Breast Cancer? Are you a scientific or medical professional with strong networks and you want to use your skills to help a fantastic charity build their scientific expertise and authority in the field of primary breast cancer prevention? 

We are looking for an individual with a strong scientific or medical background who has considerable research experience to join our Board of Trustees. As a member of the Board’s science sub-committee, you will support the CEO and the Head of Science and Health Education in supporting the growth and evolution of our scientific programme and in strengthening our scientific authority. 

ABOUT US 

Breast Cancer UK's mission is to prevent breast cancer through scientific understanding, education, collaboration, and policy change. 

We are the only UK breast cancer charity focused entirely on the primary prevention of breast cancer through education, research and campaigning. Today 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives but at least 30% breast cancers are thought to be preventable. 

• We fund scientific research that will help to understand and address the preventable risk factors for breast cancer. 

• We educate and raise awareness of the preventable risk factors for breast cancer and provide practical information to help people reduce their risk. 

• We campaign for policy changes that promote the prevention of breast cancer and promote breast cancer prevention communication between scientists, consumers and industry. 

Our research focuses on environmental and chemical causes of breast cancer but our education and advice includes all preventable risk factors. 

THE ROLE 

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board and support the CEO and wider staff team to deliver our vision and strategy. 

As well as a scientific research or medical background, you will have outstanding communication skills and be able to support, challenge and scrutinise the charity’s science and education  programme, as well as constructively contribute fully to wider issues considered by the Board. While you may not have personal or family experience of breast cancer, you will need to have a passion for what we do. 

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS 

Breast Cancer UK’s Board of Trustees wishes to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds to join the Board of Trustees. Trustees are particularly keen to recruit candidates from the public, private, or third/ voluntary sectors with leadership experience and expertise in the following areas: 

• scientific research (including cancer research) 

• healthcare or clinical research 

• health education 

• environmental research 

• health inequalities 

• medicine  

• science education 

You must be over 18 and have excellent communication skills.  

Breast Cancer UK’s strategic plan focuses on growing our income, reach, profile, and impact. To achieve this, you must be able to bring to the charity opportunities for reaching and engaging with new stakeholders and influencers with whom the charity can build meaningful relationships that support our strategic objectives. 

Critically, you will have a good knowledge of charity or not-for-profit governance principles and responsibilities and a strong affinity with the charity’s mission and values. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS 

You will: 

• Have experience and skills in scientific or clinical research, ideally with experience in breast cancer or the health effects of environmental chemicals. 

• Have strong global networks with scientific groups and research institutions. 

• Have a sound understanding of how scientific research funding operates. 

• Have effective listening, communicating and influencing skills with an ability to build    relationships and work collaboratively and effectively as part of a board of trustees. 

OTHER INFORMATION 

Time Commitment 

Critically, you must be willing and able to devote the necessary time and effort to a trusteeship. This includes preparing for and attending all Breast Cancer UK Trustee Board Meetings and Science and Health Education Committee Meetings. 

Trustees meet quarterly in London, usually in the evening (meetings are usually between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.). You will also be expected to sit on the Science and Health Education Committee.  All Committees take place via video call (Microsoft Teams), usually for two hours per quarter in the evenings, this is organized by the Science and Health Education team.   

You will also be expected to attend one annual strategy planning day and two informal meetings with Trustees in London.  

In addition, you are requested to devote some time to your role as an Ambassador – by promoting the charity through their own networks and activities. 

You will be expected to commit around 4-5 hours a month to the role.   

Trustees are not remunerated; however reasonable travel expenses incurred whilst carrying out their duties can be claimed. 

To apply for this role please submit an up to date CV and a covering letter outlining why you meet the person specification. All documents must be submitted via this link –

https://breastcanceruk.hrpartner.io/jobs/trustee–science-and-health-education—oz18p

For further details please download our Recruitment Pack

Interviews will be held as a when applications are received, so don’t delay in applying. BCUK have the right to close this job role early

At Breast Cancer UK, we’re dedicated to being a caring and welcoming place, where everyone feels supported and employees feel like they belong. Our aim is to create an inclusive culture where our employees can reach their full potential, without prejudice and discrimination. We value respect, understanding, and the richness that diversity brings. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities and abilities.