Director - Children in Scotland

We operate a hybrid way of working and are interested in attracting directors from across Scotland. However, there will be some meetings in Edinburgh which is the office base of Children in Scotland.
Four board meetings a year including preparation time. In addition, you may be invited to be involved in other discrete areas of work, depending on your skills and interests.
Voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be covered.

About the role

It is an exciting time to lead a children’s charity, not least because of the recent incorporation of UNCRC into Scots law. Children in Scotland is Scotland’s largest national membership body for individuals and organisations who are united in the aim of trying to improve the lives of all children and young people across Scotland. As such, the organisation has important role to play in building on this foundation and helping Scotland deliver the changes that are required to ensure that all children can enjoy their rights.

We are currently looking to appoint new members to our board. We have created a supportive, dynamic and welcoming board, and would give you the support you need to be able to get the best out of this experience. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all our work, and through this recruitment, we will be seeking to bring in people with diverse skills and backgrounds.

In this recruitment round we are particularly looking for people who have a background and skills in children’s rights; in leadership roles (particularly in a third sector or public sector organisation); and/or in income generation. We are also always interested in hearing from younger trustees. However, if you don’t have these specific skills and experience but are still interested, please look at the recruitment pack and find out how to apply. If you are enthusiastic, committed and have an interesting set of skills to bring to the board, you might be exactly the person we need.

Welcome from Steven Sweeney, Convener of Children in Scotland’s Board

Dear applicant 

Thank you very much for your interest in Children in Scotland. I hope that this short pack of information will explain what we are looking for and will fuel your enthusiasm for the charity. Our most recent achievement report will give you a sense of the work we do on a day-to-day basis.   

We currently have a board of directors who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people across Scotland. If this is also one of your passions, then this may be the opportunity for you. We have a hybrid approach to board meetings and are keen to have representation from across the length and breadth of Scotland. We are very interested in applications from volunteers and employees of our member organisations.

We are seeking four directors to start this year. We have developed a supportive board environment so, if this is your first time putting yourself forward as a charity trustee, this could be the right place for you. All new directors will be given the induction and ongoing support necessary to be able to fully contribute to the board and its decision-making. 

We would be particularly pleased to hear from people who have skills in the areas of Children’s Rights; Senior Leadership within a third sector or public sector organisation (particularly in organisations working with children, young people and their families) and/or income generation. However, if you don‘t have these specific skills and experience but are still interested, please read on and find out how to apply. If you are enthusiastic, committed and have an interesting set of skills to bring to the board, you still might be the right person for us.   

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all our work and will continue to develop a diverse board in terms of skills, experience, background and identity, and would urge you to demonstrate these in the short statement we will be asking for.   

If you would like any further information on these roles, please get in touch with us.  If you would like to speak to the convener, then please email ssweeney@childreninscotland.org.uk Alternatively contact the CEO at jturbyne@childreninscotland.org.uk. 

Yours sincerely, 

Steven Sweeney

Convener, Children in Scotland 

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a short covering letter of no more than 600 words (around one page) telling us why you are interested in joining the board. As well as letting us know why you want to join the board, the letter should give a brief outline of the skills and experience you would bring. If, rather than writing, you would like to submit a video or a voice recording, that would be great. If you would like a template of a CV to use, we can send one to you. In addition, we ask you to fill in our ‘Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form’.

Please download the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form here.

Send the CV, covering letter/video/voice recording and Monitoring form to Laura McKale at recruitment@childreninscotland.org.uk. If you would like to chat about the roles, please send an email and we can arrange a call.

The closing date for applications will be 4 March 2024 at 12 noon. Interviews will take place on 18 March 2024.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Further information

Please download the full recruitment pack for the role of Director here.

You can also download our Equality and Diversity policy here.

Please also complete the Equal Opportunities monitoring form, which you can download here.

Diversity

Children in Scotland values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open processes, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone.

About Children in Scotland:

Giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish is at the heart of everything we do.

By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland. We do this by listening, gathering evidence, and applying and sharing our learning, while always working to uphold children’s rights.

Our range of knowledge and expertise means we can provide trusted support on issues as diverse as the people we work with and the varied lives of children and families in Scotland.