Application Guide
How to Apply for Trustees
at Sightsavers
🏢 About Sightsavers
Sightsavers is a UK-based international charity focused on preventing avoidable blindness and promoting disability rights in developing countries. What makes them unique is their dual mission of both protecting sight through medical interventions and advocating for systemic change in disability inclusion, operating as the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind with established charity registrations. Someone might want to work there to contribute to tangible global health impact while advancing social justice for people with disabilities.
About This Role
As a Trustee at Sightsavers, this role involves providing strategic governance, financial oversight, and ensuring the charity fulfills its mission of protecting sight and fighting for disability rights. This is impactful because Trustees directly influence how resources are allocated to eye health programs and disability advocacy across multiple countries, making critical decisions that affect millions of vulnerable people.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing financial reports and program updates from international teams, participating in remote committee meetings focused on strategy or compliance, and preparing for board discussions about balancing eye health initiatives with disability rights advocacy. Trustees would also engage with policy documents, risk assessments, and ensure alignment with UK charity regulations while supporting the organization's global mission.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Sightsavers Is Looking For
- Demonstrated experience in charity governance, preferably with UK charity regulations (given Sightsavers' UK registration numbers 207544 and SC038110)
- Background in international development, global health, or disability rights advocacy aligned with their dual mission focus
- Understanding of remote governance dynamics, as this is a remote UK-based role overseeing global operations
- Commitment to safeguarding policies and ethical standards, as highlighted in their website footer regarding modern slavery and safeguarding
📝 Tips for Applying to Sightsavers
Explicitly reference Sightsavers' dual mission of 'protecting sight and fighting for disability rights' in your application materials
Demonstrate familiarity with UK charity governance requirements, mentioning their registered name 'Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind'
Highlight any experience with remote board participation or digital governance tools relevant to this remote role
Connect your background to specific areas from their website like accessibility, research centre, or policy work
Show awareness of their geographic focus by mentioning their work in Commonwealth countries or developing regions
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your understanding of trustee responsibilities specific to UK-registered charities like Sightsavers', 'How your experience aligns with both sides of their mission: eye health AND disability rights advocacy', 'Your approach to remote governance and oversight of international programs', 'Commitment to their safeguarding and ethical standards mentioned in their policies']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Their specific programs in 'protecting sight' versus 'fighting for disability rights' to understand their dual focus
- → Their UK charity structure as Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (charity numbers 207544 and SC038110)
- → Their research centre work and recent policy positions from their media centre
- → Their geographic focus areas and partnership models in developing countries
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating this as a generic trustee role without addressing their specific dual mission focus
- Not demonstrating understanding of UK charity governance requirements
- Focusing only on medical/health aspects while ignoring their disability rights advocacy work
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!