Vacancies at the Science Council
Science Council Registration Assessment Committee
The Science Council is seeking new members for the Registration Assessment Committee. Reporting to the Registration Authority, the Committee has responsibility for overseeing the assessment of applications for registration via the online application system, as well as overseeing training and development for assessors to ensure consistency of standards across the Science Council’s registers.
The vacancies provide an opportunity for individuals to support the Science Council to ensure consistency of assessment for registration applications across all registers and uphold professional registration standards. Being a member of the Committee will also enable you to support aspiring registrants to achieve the same level of excellence and professional recognition as you.
The biological sciences are well represented on the Committee. To ensure that the Committee has expertise across all science disciplines, the Committee is particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals outside of the biological science disciplines.
Term of office
The role is for an initial three-year term with the potential to renew for a further three years.
Time commitment
Between 4 and 6 full days per annum, including attending quarterly meetings and time to read papers.
Meetings can be attended by teleconference, but at least one meeting per year should be attended in person.
In addition to Committee meetings, other contact – usually electronic or by telephone – may be necessary with the Chair of the RAC.
Further information
The Committee’s terms of reference can be found here. Candidates should submit a short CV and covering letter detailing why they want to join the Committee and the skills that they would bring. Candidates must submit their application by Friday 29th July to y.finch@sciencecouncil.org. Following the closing date, candidates will be invited to meet (via teleconference) with the Chair of the Committee and the Senior Registration Officer in the week beginning 8th August. The successful candidates will be appointed by the Registration Authority by the end of September.
Work Experience
The Science Council welcomes inquiries regarding work placements for students and those looking to expand their skill set.
If you would like to gain work experience with us, please contact Oli O’Hanlon with an expression of interest and your CV.
Volunteering
If you are a registered scientist and would like to volunteer for us we are keen to welcome Assessors or Registrant Champions. If you would like to volunteer with us working in the Science Council office please email us with your CV and a covering note explaining what sort of experience you would welcome.
Board & Trustee FAQs
The role of the Board of Trustees is to:
- ensure that the Science Council has a clear strategic focus
- ensure that the Science Council fulfills its charitable objectives
- ensure that the Science Council complies with its legal and regulatory requirements
- act as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, and ensure the financial stability of the organisation
- monitor and hold management to account
Charity trustees must also comply with the following duties under charity law:
- ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
- comply with the charity’s governing document and the law
- act in the charity’s best interests
- manage the charity’s resources responsibly
- act with reasonable care and skill
- ensure the charity is accountable
Trustees serve for an initial three-year term.
There are normally four board meetings per year, held quarterly and set around the charity’s financial reporting cycle. Board meetings last approx. 3 hours.
In addition to formal meetings, trustees may also be required to serve on individual board subcommittees, working groups or be invite to represent the Science Council at external meetings and events.
Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, which is normally held in June or July.
It is every applicant's responsibility to receive consent from their employer, if necessary, that it is willing to release the applicant for the time commitments involved.
Anyone can become a trustee of the Science Council as long as they have the energy and commitment for the role. It is worthy noting that sixty percent of Elected Trustees will come from Member Bodies. They will be either members or employees. Up to 40% of Elected Trustees will come from outside the membership and must not be employees or members of Member Bodies.
Trustees are elected by our Member Bodies, with each Member having one vote. Ballot forms containing the name and other relevant details of candidates for election are sent to every Member Body of the Science Council at least four weeks prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.
The Board values diversity and actively encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds and roles to stand for election.
It is not necessary to have previous board/trustee experience as support will be provided. All you need is to have the interest, time and energy to commit to the role.
Applicants will be asked to provide details of their current post and summary of their career to date; a personal statement; a summary of their suitability to join the Board, and an up-to-date photo. This information will be circulated to Member Bodies to provide them with the necessary information to make a decision on your suitability for the role.
The deadline to submit an application for the 2022 election will be confirmed shortly.
After the application deadline, the Nominations Committee will review the applications received against the Board's skills requirements. The Committee will then make a recommendation to the Board, which will then put forward candidates to election.
New trustees are expected to participate in trustee induction sessions. This will include meeting with the Chief Executive, Governance Manager and the Chair of the Board. New trustees will also be invited to attend Board committees to get a better understanding of the work they do in support of the Board. Throughout their term of office, trustee's are encouraged to undertake training, and attend conferences and events to equip them with the knowledge needed to discharge their duties.
If you would like more information on becoming a trustee please contact Oli O’Hanlon.