Recruitment, Induction & Development

• Establish fair, inclusive and safeguarding-informed recruitment and selection processes.
• Coordinate effective induction, probationary or settling-in reviews where appropriate, and role-specific onboarding.
• Work with the Head of Training & Education to identify development needs and create accessible learning opportunities.
• Support leaders with coaching, feedback, team development and succession planning.
• Promote continuous learning, reflective practice and knowledge sharing across the Federation.

Engagement, Wellbeing & Performance

• Create regular opportunities for volunteers and colleagues to contribute ideas, feedback and concerns.
• Develop proportionate approaches to objective setting, contribution reviews, recognition and accountability.
• Promote wellbeing and healthy boundaries, including early identification of pressure, conflict or disengagement.
• Support leaders to manage concerns, complaints, conduct or capability matters fairly, promptly and sensitively.
• Use feedback and people information to strengthen engagement, retention and organisational effectiveness.

People Policies, Governance & Safeguarding

• Develop and review proportionate people policies, procedures, guidance and record-keeping arrangements.
• Ensure people practices comply with relevant law, good practice, data-protection requirements and IfS governance.
• Work with safeguarding leads to ensure safer recruitment, codes of conduct, appropriate checks and clear reporting routes.
• Identify and escalate material people, culture, safeguarding, legal or reputational risks.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality while ensuring that serious concerns are reported and addressed.

Person Specification

Essential

Knowledge & experience

• Significant experience in people leadership, human resources, organisational development, volunteer management or a closely related field.
• Experience of developing and implementing people or culture strategies, policies and practical frameworks.
• Experience of advising senior leaders on sensitive people, performance, conduct or organisational matters.
• Experience of recruitment, induction, engagement, development and retention across a diverse workforce or volunteer community.
• Strong understanding of equality, diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and psychologically safe working practices.
• Sound knowledge of relevant UK employment law, confidentiality, data protection and safer recruitment principles.

Skills & abilities

• Excellent communication, listening, coaching and facilitation skills.
• Ability to translate strategy and policy into clear, proportionate and practical arrangements.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the credibility to advise, influence and constructively challenge at all levels.
• Sound judgement, discretion and the ability to handle sensitive information with integrity.
• Strong organisational, project-management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use feedback and people information to identify priorities and evaluate impact.

Personal qualities

• Values-led, inclusive and committed to creating a culture in which people can thrive.
• Approachable, fair and able to build trust while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Confident working independently, taking initiative and following through on commitments.
• Comfortable working strategically while also contributing to practical delivery.
• Resilient, reflective and committed to continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification or membership, such as CIPD or an equivalent people, coaching or organisational-development credential.
• Experience of people leadership in a charity, professional body, federation, membership organisation or volunteer-led setting.
• Experience of safeguarding, safer recruitment or working in a regulated environment.
• Experience of supporting dispersed, remote or hybrid teams.
• Experience of organisational change, culture development or building people systems in a growing organisation.

What the Role Offers

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to safeguarding by shaping the people, culture and organisational foundations of an emerging national federation.

The successful volunteer will have the opportunity to:

• Shape and lead the IfS people and culture strategy.
• Build an inclusive, supportive and accountable volunteer experience.
• Influence organisational growth, leadership practice and future workforce arrangements.
• Work alongside experienced safeguarding professionals and senior leaders.
• Champion wellbeing, inclusion, professional development and recognition.
• Help establish IfS as a values-led, credible and sustainable professional body.

Commitment & Support

The role is voluntary and does not carry a salary. Reasonable, pre-agreed expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with IfS policy.

The postholder will receive appropriate induction and access to relevant organisational support. The time commitment will be agreed with the successful candidate and reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains realistic and sustainable.

How to Apply

Candidates should provide:

1. A current CV.
2. A short statement outlining their interest in the role and relevant experience.
3. A brief example of a people, culture, volunteer or organisational-development initiative they have led or significantly contributed to.

Closing date: 13th September 2026 11:59pm

Enquiries/applications: info@ifs-safeguarding.co.uk

The Independent Federation for Safeguarding is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people with a broad range of professional, personal and lived experience.