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The National Children’s Bureau was formed in 1963 to act as a gathering point for organisations who wanted to work together to improve the lives of neglected children – and 60 years on, this collaborative spirit still drives and defines them. NCB are here to shine a light on the children slipping off the radar, to understand and draw attention to the systemic issues that are failing them, and to unite the organisations, influencers and all the other partners who can help them drive changes across the system to make the biggest impact for children, families and communities. Sadly, too many children in England and Northern Ireland are still not getting the support they need to grow up safe, secure and fulfilled, and their work has never been more necessary.

One of NCB's most important objectives is shaping policy and improving practice to make childhood better, and this role will place you front and centre of that work. You’ll lead the ongoing task of listening to young people’s experience, gathering and analysing the evidence, building the case for change, helping the sector to grow its own capacity, and bringing coalitions of influence to bear where they can make the greatest difference. We’ll ask you to cement and build trusted partnerships and alliances with people and organisations across the system – from legislators to researchers, community advocates to those working directly with children and families – so that NCB can be sure what they propose is both rooted in experience, and sustainable for the long term. You’ll spend a good deal of your week engaging with decision-makers operating at a national level across health, education and social services, supporting them to incorporate NCB's authentic, real-life insights into their work. The division you’ll be leading is the largest in NCB, so there’s a significant management responsibility, and you will also play a strategic role in the senior leadership team.

Candidates will have an impressive breadth of experience, knowledge, and professional networks. Whether you’re currently in a charity, local government or policymaking, you’ll be a highly visible and respected practitioner and thought-leader, and an instinctive system thinker. Our track record of success is rooted in our unique position as a convener, so you must bring a deep appreciation of the distinctive contribution made by all those working in the sector, however large or small, new or established. You’ll do the detail as well as the big picture, will impress the most exacting stakeholders, and will have an inexhaustible reservoir of determination to make children’s lives better. And better. And better.

To achieve their vision of a world in which children are safe, secure and supported, we must overcome inequality and oppression in all its forms. NCB recognise that they must be more direct in their approach to tackling this issue themselves, and warmly encourage applications from those whose ethnicities, backgrounds, life experience (including experience of discrimination) or personal perspectives will expand the range of voices heard in our senior team.

Please visit www.ncb-sd.co.uk to find out more.

If you any have questions that aren't covered in the candidate materials, please contact our consultants on ncb-sd@cadencepartners.co.uk

Closing date: 18 June 2023.