Overview

Sightsavers is looking to appoint a number of trustees to join the Global Board in 2026. You will be joining an exceptional team of trustees drawn from a wide range of professional backgrounds, who work closely with the charity’s Chief Executive and Executive team to shape and deliver our ambitious strategy. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Board of an organisation at the forefront of the global movement to create world where no one is blind from avoidable causes, and where everyone can participate equally in society. More about Sightsavers governance structure can be found here. 

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of our Trustees

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes as set out in its governing document and mission statement.

• Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law.

• Act in the charity’s best interests.

• Do what you and your co-trustees decide will best enable the charity to carry out its purposes.

• Make balanced and adequately informed decisions with your co-trustees, considering the long term as well as the short term.

• Avoid putting yourself in a position where your duty to the charity conflicts with your personal interests or loyalty to any other person or body.

• Not receive any benefit from the charity unless it is properly authorised and is clearly in the charity’s interests; this also includes anyone who is financially connected to you, such as a partner, dependent child or business partner.

• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly and in line with its mission, acting responsibly, reasonably and honestly.

• Act with reasonable care and skill, making use of your skills and experience and taking appropriate advice when necessary. As well as by giving enough time, thought and energy to your role, for example by preparing for, attending and actively participating in all trustees’ meetings.

• Ensure the charity is accountable, complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements.

Trustee roles are voluntary, and reasonable expenses are paid in line with the charity’s expenses policy. The time commitment is approximately 8 days per year.

Skills and Experience

Sightsavers is governed by a Board of Trustees that is responsible for ensuring we use our resources effectively to advance our charitable goals. We are fortunate to have an exceptionally strong group of trustees who bring significant experience and expertise from a wide range of backgrounds.

We are focussing on skills and experience in the following areas:

• An individual who will bring a wealth of leadership experience in international organisations and with the ability to operate on a large, diverse and globally located board.

• Experience and networks in the media, specifically television.

• Knowledge of fundraising, with a particular emphasis on individual giving or direct marketing.

• Experience in Sightsaver’s markets, with a global outlook.

• Experience of programme delivery and international development.

We are interested in talking to candidates from other backgrounds who have global leadership experience, a connection to our work, and can offer value to our ambitious strategy. The position of chair will be coming available in the next 20 months, and Trustees may be invited to consider the role in 2026.

We recognise that everyone has the potential for growth, and we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they have some, but not all, of the experience and personal attributes listed here: sightsavers.org

Experience and personal attributes

• A commitment to the mission of the Sightsavers and the time to contribute on a volunteer basis for at least a period of three years.

• An understanding of the responsibilities of a charity trustee and company director. High levels of personal integrity.

• Personal credibility and senior leadership experience gained in a similarly high profile and complex organisation.

• The ability to think strategically about the charity’s mission, priorities, and values, using data and evidence effectively to inform decisions.

• International experience and global outlook.

• Excellent interpersonal and team skills; used to working with a wide range of senior stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality, and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and the external environment.

• The ability to constructively and critically challenge as part of a team.

• Experience as a non-executive board member in either a commercial or charitable context.

Next Steps

How to apply

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV to our retained recruitment partners, Odgers, along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. The preferred method of application is online at: www.odgers.com/94486. If you are unable to apply online, please email:

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evie.day@odgers.com

All applications will receive an automated response. All candidates are also requested to complete an online Diversity Monitoring Form which will be found at the end of the Odgers application process. This will assist Sightsavers in monitoring selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Any information collated from the Diversity Monitoring Forms will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.

Personal data

In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and/or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation.

Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.

Contact details

For a conversation in confidence, please email us on James Bailey Johnson please email james.baileyjohnson@odgers.com

We are committed to ensuring everyone can access our website and application processes. This includes people with sight loss, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact evie.day@odgers.com.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.

In line with its commitment to safe programming and recruitment, Sightsavers participates in the inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) administered by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. Through collaboration with other MDS members, Sightsavers aims to ensure that there are no sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment issues relating to potential new hires and that we can respond systematically to checks from fellow MDS members. This ensures our work is accountable, delivered to a high standard and supports safeguarding across the development and humanitarian fields.