Chair of the Board of Trustees

Do you believe in a future where no animal suffers for science? 

Are you an effective collaborator with the passion and drive to lead our board and shape our strategic direction?

Do you have spare time you can volunteer to make a difference to the lives of animals and humans?

If so, we would love you to consider being our new chair.

At FRAME, we’ve been working for over half a century to replace the use of animals in research. We have significantly contributed to the development, and uptake, of non-animal methods by:

• Empowering scientists with our educational opportunities.
• Funding exciting research aimed at replacing animals and improving human healthcare.
• Collaborating with policymakers to ensure more rigorous policy on the use of animals in science. 

Our mission is to ensure scientists use non-animal approaches in biomedical research and testing. It’s a better future for animals and humans. For us to achieve this, we need to ensure that FRAME is a resilient organisation with sufficient skills, support, and income to continue its work in the long term. Our trustees are critical to the future of the organisation. 

We are currently seeking a new chair to lead our board of trustees by providing strategic and governance direction. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with an interest or experience in scientific and medical research and testing and the development of non-animal methods. We’d also be interested in hearing from anyone passionate about eliminating animal use in research. We encourage applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race. We are looking for a chair who can demonstrate:

The ability to establish positive relationships with other trustees, FRAME staff and partners, exercising appropriate skills in influencing and negotiation.

• Have some knowledge and understanding of good governance and provide a role model for standards in public life.
• Be able to demonstrate an ability to act fairly and impartially in the best interests of the charity.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to act as a spokesperson and represent FRAME to external stakeholders.
• A commitment to our purpose and aims and the strategic vision to support the FRAME’s future development.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to support the charity. (Please see below for more details on the time commitment).
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas would be welcome but is not essential:
  • Knowledge of FRAME’s field of work. 
  • Experience of organisational leadership and effective decision-making. 

A full induction will be provided for our new chair as well as ongoing CPD opportunities and support. The role of chair requires an annual time commitment of around 8 working days which works out around 5 hours per month. This includes:

• Preparation for and attendance at 6 general board meetings. 
• Preparation for and attendance at sub-committee meetings as appropriate.
• Regular meetings with the CEO.
• Between meetings, trustees may be asked to contribute to discussions via email or ad hoc telephone conferences on specific issues.
• Trustees may be asked to sit on or contribute to other project groups or activities from time to time.
• Attendance at 1 or 2 in-person board away days.

[All meetings are held remotely unless it is an in-person away day.]

For more detailed information on being the chair for FRAME please take a look at our Chair Role Description which can be found by visiting our website.

If you want to find out more information on what being a chair/trustee entails, please take a look at the Charity Commission guidance on being a trustee. 

To apply for this opportunity please do so via our webpage and submit your CV and a supporting cover letter. Please detail why you are interested in the role and how you can fulfil the role requirements and be an ambassador for FRAME. Please ensure you read our Chair Role Description and refer to this in your application.

Thank you for your interest in working with FRAME and we look forward to hearing from you. We are also looking for more trustees to join our board. If you think you would be interested in this role, please take a look at the vacancy on our website. You are welcome to apply for both positions.

Benefits

The role of chair is voluntary but travel and subsistence expenses are covered as required.

Notes

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview in July and successful candidates will be invited to attend the next FRAME board meeting as an observer. Full details will be given to candidates nearer the time.

Please note you cannot log back into this system (Breathe) so only begin the application process when you have your CV and a cover letter ready.