Health Poverty Action (HPA) is a medium sized INGO acting in solidarity with health workers, activists and communities worldwide to improve health and challenge the causes of poverty.
We draw strength from the knowledge that we are not alone, but part of a global movement for health justice – the People’s Health Movement (PHM). The PHM is today’s embodiment of the primary health care movement that achieved ground breaking success at the UN Alma-Ata Conference in 1978. Such was the power of this moment, that 40 years later the radical vision it set out continues to rally health workers and policymakers worldwide.
Since our very beginnings, we have taken a justice-oriented approach, developing strong community roots, creating comprehensive and integrated health systems, and addressing the social determinants of health.
We work in partnership with people around the world who are pursuing change in their own communities. Together we demand health justice, and challenge the social, economic and political power imbalances that currently deny them their rights. We believe health is not just the absence of disease, but a combination of physical, mental and social well-being.
We currently have programmes in 18 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, benefiting many millions of people each year- and alongside these, undertake progressive policy/campaigns to change the unjust practises that create and sustain poverty.
We employ about 350 staff in across the countries we work in, mostly recruited from the populations they serve, and a further 25 people, including our Policy and Campaigns team work in our London-based head office. Our annual income is currently around £19 million.
Role specification
Now is an exciting time to be part of HPA’s Board as we look to expand our income, work and impact. We are seeking up to three exceptional individuals, who share our values and progressive approach to health and global justice, and would like to support and contribute to this work as a member of our Board.
HPA’s Board of Trustees is our governing body. It delegates management of the organisation to the Director, while the Trustees remain ultimately responsible for the affairs of the charity, ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and delivers appropriate outcomes in terms of global justice.
Health Poverty Action’s constitution provides for a minimum of five and a maximum of twelve Trustees, who are responsible for the election of new members. All Trustees are then subject to annual re-election at our AGM, up to a maximum of serving 8 consecutive years (unless the Board specifically agrees an exception). The same Board of Trustees is also responsible for our smaller linked charity, Find Your Feet.
The Board meets four times each year in London to discuss matters of strategy, governance, financial planning, fundraising and most importantly the work that HPA does. There are also a few sub-committees and working groups that are currently being established that you may be invited to sit on.
Person specification
HPA’s board is engaged and committed, and their trustees are drawn from a broad range of backgrounds. We are looking for three trustees with a strong commitment to the vision, mission and progressive values of HPA as well as sound judgement, independence of thought and integrity. We are particularly seeking trustees with experience in at least one of the following three areas:
- Finance experience: senior financial experience in a medium or large non-profit or charity OR
- Fundraising experience: significant fundraising experience in a medium or large non-profit or charity OR
- Programmes work: Strong understanding of programmes work and how HPA delivers its work.
Please send a CV and short supporting statement to personnel@healthpovertyaction.org by Sunday 3rd March, 11.59pm.
