Opportunity to join Nuffield FJO’s Governing Board

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory improves the lives of children and families by putting data and evidence at the heart of the family justice system. Established by and housed within the Nuffield Foundation, the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory began work in 2019 and has funding currently secured until 2026.

The work of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory has already had an impact on policy and practice within the family justice system. Its research reports, events and bulletins are regularly accessed by hundreds of judges, lawyers and social workers every year. The focus of its work is set out in an ambitious strategy and its progress is recorded in an annual impact report.

The work is being driven by a small, dynamic team, working collaboratively with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

We are looking to recruit two new members to the Governing Board to help to deepen our impact in the years ahead.

Recruitment to the Governing Board

The Governing Board is not a legal entity and the ultimate responsibility for the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO) rests with the Trustee Board of the Nuffield Foundation.  Nevertheless, the Governing Board plays an important role, advising the Nuffield FJO on its strategy and supporting its development.

We are currently looking to recruit two additional members to the Governing Board to help us achieve our goals. We are open to applications from a variety of backgrounds, we are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals:

• who have recent experience of working within children’s social care, with first-hand knowledge of pre-proceedings and family law cases; OR
• who have a broad understanding of children and family policy at national level (including but broader than a focus on family law cases); OR
• who bring specialist knowledge on how to achieve the best possible outcomes for children in terms of their wellbeing and development

All Governing Board members are expected to have a strategic organisational mindset and an understanding of good governance. As an organisation working across England and Wales, we are particularly keen to ensure that the Governing Board members reflect a balance of experience of the family justice system across both countries.

The Governing Board is strongly committed to ensuring that the experiences of children and families are better understood and more visible within the family justice system. The Board has a commitment to equality and diversity underpinning all its work, recognising that different forms of inequalities combine to affect children and families in the family justice system and that Nuffield FJO’s work needs to illuminate and address these inequalities. We will expect all applicants to be committed to this approach.

Candidates will need to demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and its mission, with an appetite for creating positive social impact. Board members will be expected to act collegiately and contribute to the wider board and strategy of the organisation, beyond their own expertise. We are looking for individuals who are adept at understanding a range of views which are sometimes sharply at odds with each other and being able to steer the Nuffield FJO through these so that it is seen as truly representative and independent.

Governing Board members are expected to commit up to a maximum of 10 days per year, to include four to five meetings per year and additional work in between meetings (such as chairing events or providing ad hoc advice). There is an honorarium of £2,000 per annum. Board members are appointed for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of a further three-year appointment.

For more information, please refer to the Role Description. The Terms of Reference for the Governing Board can be found here.

If you would like to speak to a current Board Member or member of the Nuffield FJO team about the role, please get in touch via contactfjo@nuffieldfoundation.org

Applications

For further information or to apply, please email the Nuffield Foundation at recruitment@nuffieldfoundation.org with a CV and a covering letter summarising your reasons for applying and your relevant experience.

All applications will be treated and followed up in strict confidence. The closing date for applications is 12pm midday on Wednesday 15 February 2023, with interviews taking place on 27^th February 2023.