Childhood shapes who we become. Abuse never should. That’s why the NSPCC is here.

The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity fighting to prevent child abuse in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. It helps children who have been abused to rebuild their lives, protects those at risk, and finds the best ways of preventing abuse from ever happening.

For over 130 years, the NSPCC has been helping children who have suffered abuse rebuild their lives as well as finding ways to prevent abuse from ruining any more. It knows that, with the right help, children can thrive, even when families are going through incredibly difficult times. To provide this, the NSPCC creates world-class research, learns from experts all over the world, and uses its evidence to design services that give children and families the best possible help. And, crucially, it shares this knowledge with those who work with children, including through its child protection training and consultancy services, to have a positive impact on as many childhoods as it can, well beyond the direct work of the NSPCC itself.

The NSPCC aspires to reach every primary school in the UK to make sure every child understands that abuse is never ok. Its helpline provides advice for those worried about a child’s safety and its professional counsellors can spot the signs of abuse and are ready to do whatever they can to protect children. On average, a young person seeking advice contacts Childline every 25 seconds. Hundreds of thousands of children find the courage to speak to the NSPCC each year — on the phone and online — and get the help they need.

Between 2016 and 2021, the NSPCC helped make 6.6m children safer from abuse. Over the next ten years, the charity will focus on three impact goals which it believes will make the biggest difference to children’s lives:

1. Everyone plays their part to prevent child abuse. The NSPCC will work together to make it easier for everyone to play their part and create a social safety net that prevents child abuse and neglect
2. Every child is safe online. Together, the NSPCC transform the online world, so it’s safe for every child to go online
3. Children feel safe, listened to and supported. More children will be able to speak out, so they feel safe, listened to and understood — and abuse doesn’t shape their future

You can read the NSPCC's strategy 2021-31 here.

As it upgrades its IT platforms to better engage with its beneficiaries and supporters, the NSPCC is now looking for a new member of its Finance, Audit and Risk Committee to be a critical friend and enable the charity to achieve its technological ambition while ensuring that cyber risk is effectively mitigated.

The new Committee Members will act as a sounding board on the NSPCC's technology, data and information security strategy, priorities, and investment plans (its Digital Plan). They will be a visionary, with an innate curiosity for “what’s next”, developed from a broad and successful career working across a range of technology, data and / or cyber security issues, to help ensure that its Digital Vision and Plan will improve every facet in the delivery of the charity's mission.

The successful candidate will work with the rest of the Committee and the Executive Board, developing a good understanding of the mission and operating environment of the NSPCC, enabled by technology and data, offering advice and counsel on the implications of the charity's decision-making on its technology, data and cyber security positions.

Co-opted Committee Members play an equal part during Committee meetings contributing both to debate and decisions but they do not have the same legal responsibilities as their Trustee counterparts.

The NSPCC is looking for someone with a strong understanding of digital / technology strategy and cyber security to become a new member of its Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Candidates will be senior leaders in the areas of technology, data or information security. They will have experience ranging from portfolio management and prioritisation of change initiatives alongside service delivery, modern technology delivery methodologies, technology and data management and investment, commercial judgement and exposure to the highest regulatory standards relating to technology, cyber security and data.

Applicants will have an in-depth understanding of cyber risk management while enabling agile, secure solutions. They will also possess the communication skills to convey ideas and complex concepts to non-technical audiences, whether that be to Trustees, staff, volunteers or service users, with clarity and empathy, always keeping the protection of children at the core of all that the NSPCC does.

On a personal level, the successful candidate will also be:

• Mission-driven, with a passion for contributing to the betterment of the lives of children
• Passionate about existing and emerging technologies and how they can be delivered and used to create competitive advantage to the NSPCC
• Aligned with the NSPCC’s five values: putting children first, taking a stand, working together, striving for excellence, and making an impact

This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.

The Committee meets three times per year, normally on weekdays between 8.30am and 11am. While the charity does make the best use of digital technology to enable inclusion in meetings, some travel to London will be required.

As children and young people are at the heart of the NSPCC's decision-making, shortlisted candidates will be asked to meet with a group of children and young people from its Young People’s Board of Change. They will also attend a values-based interview.

The NSPCC believes that every individual has the right to be their true self and to live a full life without prejudice, fear, or barriers. This is the starting point for all its commitments and actions and underpins its commitment to be there for all children. This belief and our commitment to it is captured in its diversity charter.

As it continues its aspiration to understand, reflect and represent all the individuals and communities it's here to serve and support, the NSPCC is particularly interested in hearing from and receiving applications from women, individuals from ethnically minoritised communities, individuals with a disability and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.