1

Adoption UK Director – Northern Ireland Adoption UK September 2017

2

Introduction

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Adoption UK Director – Northern Ireland.

Adoption UK is the leading charity providing support, awareness and understanding for those parenting or supporting children who cannot live with their birth parents. We pride ourselves on providing a strong voice for adopters, representing the interests of our members in the media, to the public, Government officials, Ministers, politicians and other key stakeholders.

Established more than 45 years ago by adopters for adopters we now have more than 8,000 members and provide a strong supportive community for adoptive families in the UK, connected by the need to understand the challenges of adoptive parents and to build brighter futures for adopted children.

Adoption UK is undergoing an exciting period, with a new chief executive officer, and a Board of Trustees, determined to drive the organization forward, increase membership, improve the membership offer, build alliances with other organizations in the voluntary sector, develop corporate partnerships, and embark on a comprehensive influencing strategy that engages and enthuses policy makers, and delivers real and lasting change for adoptive families.

The public affairs and communications team is at the heart of the organization, driving forward the influencing strategy, leading on media engagement, website and social media, managing stakeholder contact, shaping policy products and key messages, developing the campaigning work, leading on all publications including Adoption UK’s flagship membership magazine, Adoption Today, and the trusted family-finding service, Children Who Wait.

We are a UK wide organization, with operations, staff and offices in all four nations. With devolution, the policy landscape in each of the nations is different, and the Public Affairs & Communications Director and his/her team are expected to provide communications and public affairs support across the devolved institutions.

Leading a small communications and public affairs team, the Public Affairs & Communications Director will be part of the Senior Leadership Team, expected to contribute strategically to the organization’s development, playing a significant role in delivering the business plan.

The post holder will represent Adoption UK externally and must be comfortable with senior stakeholders, have a track record of building relationships with the media, be politically savvy and at ease in dealing with senior Government officials.

3

Adoption UK | Director of External Relations | October 2013 7

Role Profile

Job title: Adoption UK Director – Northern Ireland

Location: Based in Adoption UK’s Head Office in Northern Ireland – will consider flexible working

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Hours of work: Full-time/Flexible

Salary: Competitive

Duration: Permanent (subject to completing a satisfactory 6 month probationary period)

Adoption

4

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB To lead and develop Adoption UK’s services in Northern Ireland and to work closely with key stakeholders to promote the organization and to influence and inform adoption legislation, policy and practice.

GENERAL RESPONCIBILITIES Development

• To lead on the design and implementation of a strategic development plan for the delivery of services for Adoption UK in Northern Ireland in line with the organisations overall business plan and which meets key innovation and growth targets

• To lead the development and delivery of Adoption UK Support Services in Northern Ireland ensuring that services meet the current and anticipated needs of families who adopt

• To promote Adoption UK by building key relationships with relevant local government departments, adoption agencies, social work departments, and child and family services and other providers within the sector.

• In partnership with adoption agencies, social work departments, and the broader children and families sector in Northern Ireland, compile training and other business proposals and encourage the take-up and use of Adoption UK’s training and support services.

• To develop and deliver an annual training programme for Northern Ireland including overseeing the delivery of training commissions and recruiting and managing local trainers

• To liaise with all other Adoption UK staff, to ensure the concerns and interests of volunteers and members from Northern Ireland are fully represented in the development of services and the provision of information.

Communication/Fundraising/Marketing

• To identify and respond to fundraising opportunities to enable service delivery in Northern Ireland • To work with Adoption UK Head Office to identify, maximise and manage PR and public affairs

within Northern Ireland ensuring all work is conducted according to Adoption UK’s corporate identity and communication guidelines

Policy

• To keep up-to-date on current policy and practice developments relating to adoption. • In consultation with members, respond to government legislative and policy consultations

relevant to adoption and child care matters • To contribute to policy development by ensuring the voice and experience of adopters is heard by

local government officers responsible for adoption policy

5

Management

• To review, manage and monitor the delivery of adoption support and staff associated with the delivery of services

• To recruit and manage Adoption UK staff • To conduct performance reviews and 1:1s with Adoption UK staff and follow up on issues raised • To identify and respond to staff training and development needs, as far as possible within the

budget. • To participate in staff training as deemed necessary • To participate in regular 1:1s and performance reviews with Chief Executive • To work with the CEO and Adoption UK’s finance services in setting the annual budget for

Northern Ireland and take responsibility for managing and reviewing the budget To ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation of financial, procurement and related activities are set up and maintained

• To comply with Adoption UK’s health and safety, equal opportunities, child protection and vulnerable adult, data protection, confidentiality and all other Adoption UK quality assurance policies and processes.

• To promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices • To carry out such other duties as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Executive, subject to

time, commensurate with salary and by agreement with the post holder.

6

Personal Specification QUALIFICATIONS/ TRAINING

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent through work experience) • Qualification in law, policy or a related discipline • Personal and/or professional experience of adoption

EXPERIENCE

• Significant relevant public affairs and/or communications experience • Experience and ability to be highly credible in front of senior political staff, other

experts, or external stakeholders (including media), and internal stakeholders (including the Board of Trustees)

• Experience of working at a UK level and of engaging with devolved institutions • Experience in developing/writing publications, information or resources. • Multi-agency work including experience of contributing to the development of

good policy and practice. • Experience of working in a member organisation, or similar • Significant experience of leading a team and managing people and work

programmes/contractors • Experience of managing multiple stakeholder views to form policy positions/

experience of working in member organization or similar • Experience of working in policy, public policy, politics, law, communications or

other related discipline

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Persuasive and diplomatic verbal communication skills including ability to network and liaise at a variety of levels, public speaking and presentation skills to a wide range of audiences.

• Well developed written and verbal communication skills including ability to deliver presentations, respond to government and other consultations produce reports and briefing papers, précis and write campaign materials.

• Ability to analyse complex information and identify the implications for adoptive families and those looking to adopt.

• Ability to work on several projects to deadlines in a complex, changing environment.

• Ability to work on own initiative, plan, initiate and evaluate projects, both as an individual and within the staff team.

• Ability to carry out research, including qualitative and quantitative based research. • Proficient in word-processing, spread sheets and databases, preferably in a

Windows based environment and in using email and Internet. • Able to work on own initiative, make sound judgments, and contribute ideas at a

senior level • Able to meet deadlines and targets – results driven • People-orientated person, able to engage with others and lead a team • Strategic thinker

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of UK law making, political structures and a deep understanding of politics

• An understanding of care and adoption and the needs of children who have experienced trauma and/or loss

• An understanding of how to influence policy and engage with policy makers • An understanding of childcare legislation and policy in Northern Ireland and an

awareness of relevant legislative difference across the UK

OTHER

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and an understanding of, the aims and objectives of Adoption UK

• Commitment to promoting anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. • Willingness to travel regularly and work occasional weekends and evenings as

required

7

Adoption UK | Director of External Relations | October 2013 11 11

Benefits Adoption UK terms and conditions of employment offer generous staff benefits, including:

• Pension provision equivalent to 3% of salary. • 25 days’ annual holiday (pro rata for part-time staff), rising to 27 days after two years’ service and

30 days after five years’ service. • Enhanced entitlement to sick pay. • Enhanced entitlements to maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay. • Childcare Voucher Salary Sacrifice Scheme • Free onsite car parking (Banbury Office)

8

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the appointment criteria in the person specification. You should give the names, positions, organizations and telephone contact numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your current/most recent employer. References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted. You are also invited to complete and return the enclosed monitoring information form. The information on the form will be treated as confidential, and used for statistical purposes. The form will not be treated as part of your application. We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview. A full clean current driving license is required. Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable. Applications should be made via the Adoption UK Website at https://www.adoptionuk.org/about-us/jobs Applications can also be posted to: HR Adoption UK, Units 11and12 Vantage Business Park, Bloxham Road, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 9UX

Timetable Published advert closing date: Friday October 6th 2017 Panel interviews at Adoption UK’s offices: w/c 16th October 2017 These dates may be subject to change and applicants will be advised in advance should this happen.

Recruitment Process Should you decide to make a formal application? You will receive feedback within five working days of the closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview. The successful appointment is subject to a satisfactory criminal records disclosure and written references.

Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, please contact HR on 01295 752240 or alternatively via email at hr@adoptionuk.org.uk

Reg charity no 1160647

A Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly Criminal records bureau) will be required for the successful candidate.

9