Safeguarding officer volunteer roles in birmingham

UK (Various Locations)

Closing Date: 12 November 2025

Ref 7193

Save the Children UK is looking for an individual with People, Culture and Organisational change/Transformation experience to join us as our Trustee and Chair of the People Committee.

You will work closely with the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive, and the Executive Leadership Team to help shape and champion our transformation journey, ensuring our people, culture, and organisational design enable us to deliver lasting impact for children.

About Us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. Together with partners, supporters and communities, we deliver lasting results for millions of children — including those hardest to reach.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional individual to serve as the lead Trustee on our Board for all things People, Culture, Change and Business Transformation.

Save the Children UK is in the middle of a revised organisational strategy reshaping how we work to drive deeper, lasting outcomes for children. We are undoing internal bureaucracy, reimagining partnerships, clarifying our service offers and flattening our internal layers. We are keen on unlocking Agile as a philosophy to become more autonomous, accountable, and human-centred. Over the coming years, we aim to embed meaningful child participation, raise more flexible funding for local leaders, and champion greater power and resources for communities. And we will develop as an organisation that is lighter, more joyful, and more human-centric to create deeper impact.

All of the above is already underway through programmes and plans. We are looking for a Board member to champion the transformation work that is happening within the organisation and within the People team. You will be a trusted sounding board, a challenger who helps us raise our game, and a “lighthouse” for our vision for change.

You could be a current or former Chief People, Transformation, Effectiveness or Innovation Officer, a consultant, or an academic in management thinking - someone with deep expertise in helping organisations make positive, sustainable, and long-lasting change so that they deliver better on their purpose.

As Trustee, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and governance on People, Culture, and Organisational Effectiveness matters as Chair of the People Committee.

• Champion our transformation agenda, bringing insight and challenge on how to build a more agile, empowered, and joyful organisation.

• Act as a sounding board to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, providing constructive challenge and support on people and culture priorities.

• Ensure alignment between SCUK's transformation goals and our broader strategic ambition to deliver deeper outcomes for children.

• Uphold the highest standards of governance, compliance, safeguarding, and accountability as a member of the Board of Trustees.

• Represent SCUK at key events and act as an ambassador for our values and mission.

About You

We are seeking a Trustee who:

• Is engaged with, and excited by, SCUK's vision, mission and values.

• Is a strategic thinker, with demonstrable and deep expertise in People and Culture matters and organisational management.

• Has a strong track record in successfully designing and delivering strategic and holistic organisational change.

• Has experience leading multi-phased people, culture and effectiveness programmes that have delivered measurable results for the organisation.

• Has deep understanding of, and can champion, Agile and agile ways of working.

• Chairs meetings effectively, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Will work to guarantee the highest standards of integrity and governance, and help ensure statutory requirements are met.

• Is able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role (see below).

• A demonstrable commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, and a clear understanding of power, privilege, and how this affects everyone, particularly the children and communities with which we work.

• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and of the difference between governance and management functions; and corporate governance issues, especially those that might affect a large international not-for-profit organisation.

Other highly desirable experience

• A good understanding of child poverty in the UK, and an interest in international affairs.

• Experience with digital innovation and technology-enabled transformation.

• Willingness to build and use networks to make introductions for SCUK, for example to explore best practice in or facilitate fundraising, or advocacy and campaigning.

The knowledge and skills listed above represent “the ideal candidate”. Please do not be deterred from applying if you do not fulfil every highly desirable capability.

We warmly welcome applications from candidates across the UK, particularly from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and regions of England outside London. Previous Trustee experience is not required — we welcome first-time Trustees and will provide induction and support.

Additional Information / Terms of Appointment

• This is a voluntary position, with reasonable expenses covered. We want to do what we can to remove barriers for Trustees on low incomes or with little spare. Please let us know during the application process if this could be an issue for you, so that we can explore options together.

• Trustees are required to attend all Board meetings (four Board meetings and one or more Board calls per year), and for this role, quarterly People Committee meetings. You may also be asked to join an additional committee. Trustees may also be asked to participate in Board strategy days, telephone conferences, or travel on behalf of SCUK.

• Meetings are held at SCUK's Head Office in Farringdon, London, with hybrid participation possible.

• Trustees are appointed for an initial term of 2 years, after which Trustees can be reappointed for two further terms of 3 years each, up to a maximum of 8 years.

To learn more about the position, please review the Role Profile on our website. 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Role Description

We are seeking dedicated innovative thinkers, event superstar planners, and fundraising heroes to join our Events & Fundraising Team at Emerge Worldwide. Our goal is to develop impactful events that generate essential support to protect children and young people from sexual exploitation.

The role will:

• Design and deliver memorable events
• Engage local communities and sponsors
• Promote our mission broadly
• Raise life-changing transformative funds

Your expertise and ideas can help us make an impactful difference to lives.

Join us and contribute to the protection of vulnerable children, young people and women.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking volunteers with experience in Events - designing, researching, planning, delivery, and Community Engagement. We are also seeking volunteers who have fundraising experience including working around sponsorship. 

We are looking for volunteers who have:

● Experience in planning successful events and activities.

● Experience of fundraising in the charity sector is desirable but not essential.

● Reliable, organised with good timekeeping.

● Able to work independently and proactively as well as in a team.

● Clear and confident in communication.

● Excellent working knowledge and comprehension of written English.

What you will gain:

By volunteering with us, you’ll experience the profound impact of helping communities, be part of a movement changing lives across the UK, gain experience in advocacy, and work with a team passionate about protecting children, young people and women against exploitation and trafficking.

Impact of Role

1. Fuelling the Mission

• Every event organised and every pound raised goes directly towards programmes that protect and empower vulnerable children and women.
• Volunteers help generate the funds that allow Emerge Worldwide to deliver training in schools, create resources, and support awareness campaigns.

2. Expanding Reach & Awareness

• Events are not just about money — they also raise the charity’s visibility and influence.
• By helping to plan and run events, volunteers spread the message of exploitation prevention to a wider audience, attracting new supporters and partners.

3. Building Community & Partnerships

• Volunteers help bring people together through fundraising dinners, charity runs, community fairs, and awareness campaigns.
• These events build a sense of shared purpose and create lasting relationships with donors, schools, businesses, and local communities.

4. Creating Memorable Experiences

• With creativity and enthusiasm, volunteers help design fun, inspiring, and impactful events that engage people’s hearts.
• These experiences encourage people to give generously and stay connected to the cause long-term.

5. Sustaining the Charity’s Growth

• By contributing to fundraising targets, volunteers ensure Emerge Worldwide can expand its projects, train more schools, produce more resources, and campaign for systemic change.
• This means their behind-the-scenes efforts translate into life-changing impact for survivors and prevention for those at risk.

We are a welcoming team, dedicated to creating a positive and engaging volunteer experience where you’ll feel valued, inspired, and empowered to bring your ideas to life.

Please note that we will request references, and a DBS check will be required due to the nature of our work.

Closing Date:

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Role:

We are currently seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board as Treasurer. It’s a voluntary role that requires a committed individual with financial expertise to take a collaborative approach, supporting our Trustees, our Head of Finance and Governance, and our management team to oversee the financial affairs of our charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional, and within accepted accounting practice.

Our Organisation:

Greener and Cleaner delivers locally but thinks, and influences, nationally. Our vision is greener, healthier, better connected communities across the UK. We seek to achieve this through normalising 360-degree sustainable living, bringing the community together to make changes that can deliver a big impact. We have a non-judgemental peer-to-peer approach, so that all elements of the community feel empowered to take action in how they live, work, and play and in how they use their voice to push for change.

Treasurer Role:

The primary role is to ensure alongside other Trustees that they accept ultimate responsibility for the affairs of G&C and ensure that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls, and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements, as produced by the finance team or others where appropriate, to the Board of Trustees
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place. 
• Liaising with any paid staff about financial matters, as appropriate.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management. 
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems. 
• Drawing any major financial concerns to the attention of the trustee and the management team.
• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves in line with its reserves policy, and monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity. 
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and that investments and assets are maximised.
• Leading on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors. 
• Overseeing the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating, and reporting corporate risk. 
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies – for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Supporting other Trustees in understanding the charity’s financial position and decision making.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the charity and its ethical fundraising policy.
• Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the Annual General Meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.

The Person We’re Looking For:

• A finance professional with a firm understanding of charity finance and some experience of fundraising and pension schemes.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising, bid writing, and/or other income generation and/or securing funding through creation or leveraging of partnerships and networks (at a national or local level).
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity and the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
• Clear communicator with the ability to explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, and liaising with auditors.

In addition, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all Trustees.

Responsibilities of All Trustees:

• Demonstrating a commitment to G&C’s objectives
• Contributing to setting the strategic goals and monitoring performance by active participation in Board discussions and decision-making
• Actively assisting the charity to build their connections and partnerships for the purposes of most effectively delivering their goals and fundraising
• Ensuring that G&C complies with its governing documents, the law, and all other relevant documentation
• Helping to identify risks and ensuring appropriate controls are in place
• Helping the Board to make sound decisions by making available their own personal knowledge and experience
• Assisting the Chair to appoint and appraise the performance of the Senior Leadership Team members
• Sharing relevant skills and expertise with the Senior Leadership Team members
• Making all reasonable efforts to attend Board meetings, away days, development meetings, publicity events, and other such public functions as requested by the Chair
• Ensuring the charity’s focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion remains at the heart of its strategy and delivery

Trustee Person Specification:

In addition to the Treasurer role specific above, our Trustees will ideally also demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to the objectives and activities of G&C
• A willingness to devote time and effort to G&C beyond attending board meetings
• Have strategic vision, an ability to think creatively, and an appropriate level of financial literacy
• Understanding of and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of their position
• Have good independent judgement
• Be willing to effectively act as part of a team
• Adhere to the Nolan Principles of public office: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership
• A willingness to allow the Employee/s to make reasonable decisions and to act within the limits prescribed by the Board

To Apply:

To see the full job advertisement with details on how to apply, and to learn more about the role and our organisation, please see the attached supporting documents.