Research Trustee
Role and Organisational Profile
Position: Trustee (Research)
About Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovarian Cancer Action’s vision is to make ovarian cancer a survivable cancer for all women. Today, sadly only 3 in 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live beyond 10 years. It is the UK’s most deadly gynaecological disease, killing over 4,100 women every year.
At OCA, we are on a determined mission to transform survival rates so by 2032 at least half of women with ovarian cancer live for 10 years. To achieve real change for women with ovarian cancer, we undertake crucial work across key priority areas:
- Accelerating research will have the biggest impact on survival rates. Since our inception in 2006 we have invested almost £13 million in ground-breaking scientific and clinical research across three areas: prevention, earlier diagnosis, and more effective treatments – more than any other ovarian cancer charity. Last year alone our researchers contributed 11 new ovarian cancer discoveries.
- Raising awareness is vital to ensure women are diagnosed early, as five-year survival is 93%, compared to 13% at late stage, but nine in ten women are unaware of all the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Our life-saving national awareness campaigns targeting women, health professionals and higher risk communities aim to promote earlier diagnosis and increase hereditary cancer prevention.
- Leading change: we amplify the patient’s voice and collaborate to drive improvements in early diagnosis and care. In 2020 we secured £1.2m from the UK Government’s Tampon Tax Fund for a ground-breaking ‘Improve UK’ project in partnership with the British Gynaecological Cancer Society to tackle severe regional and systemic inequalities in outcomes experienced by patients. We envisage this will benefit patients over the next 2-5 years.
About the role
Ovarian Cancer Action is looking for Trustees to play an essential role in the governance of the charity, ensuring that the way OCA is governed is to the highest possible standard. Trustees will oversee the strategic direction of the charity, working alongside the Chief Executive and senior staff in accordance with the charity’s objectives, vision and values. The Trustee will also maintain direct contact with the Chair.
Further, we are looking for a Trustee with the specific experience and knowledge in ovarian cancer and/or cancer genetics. Ideally, you will be well established in your career and active in the research and/or clinical field.
You will sit on our Research Committee, working alongside other committee members, our Head of Research and Policy and our Grants and Impact Manager to oversee the delivery of our new 5yr research strategy.
In line with our research strategy and as a member of the Research Committee, you will have oversight of progress on current grants, and recommend award of new grants to the OCA Board. The Committee will also approve the appointments and ensure effective management of our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
In this role, the new Trustee will act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its vision to improve the survival rates of ovarian cancer in the UK. The successful candidate will be committed to advancing OCA and will bring insight and expertise to support its development and increase its impact.
This is a volunteer unremunerated role, with responsibilities both under Company Law as a Director and under Charity law as a Trustee.
Please see below for a full role description and person specification.
How to apply:
Please send a CV and supporting statement highlighting your relevant experience and reason for applying for the role to jobs@ovarian.org.uk. Alternatively, for a confidential conversation about the role please contact Vicky.Fafalios@ovarian.org.uk.
The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 31st October. Candidates can expect to be contacted by 17th October with the interview process completed by the middle of November.