NOCN Group is an educational charity whose core aims are to help learners reach their potential and organisations thrive. Its members provide a pathway for people who had not fully benefited in the formal education system to obtain qualifications or accredited recognition of their skills, in order to gain employment and develop their careers. NOCN is trusted and recognised by apprentices, SMART card holders, learners, training providers, colleges and employers as an organisation that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

NOCN is moving away from being an organisation that achieves its charitable objectives solely by being a recognised awarding organisation in the UK, to one that offers a diverse range of services, operating internationally as well as nationally. As part of this process, it has become an End-Point Assessment Organisation for the new apprenticeship standards approved by the Westminster Government. NOCN is seen as a leader in this market.

Since 2019, NOCN has provided SMART digital job cards for the construction industry in the UK and are engaged on a ground breaking innovative project where HS2 use the cards to improve safety for the workforce. In response to market realities, NOCN's focus is increasingly commercial; it is managing this challenge whilst still remaining true to its charitable purpose. NOCN's journey has already started and it has commenced an ambitious programme of diversification both in the UK and internationally.

Founded in 1986 as a UK membership organisation for similar like-minded regionally based charities, NOCN was formally registered as a charity in 1999. NOCN's board of trustees governs the organisation and supports the management team to run it according to its vision and values. Drawing on a vast bank of experience and skills, its members have ultimate control and make sure that we achieve our aims and objectives, act within the law and manage our resources properly. It is the trustees who make the vital decisions that advance personal outcomes and boost the national economy.

The new Chair of NOCN's Audit and Risk Committee will bring strong financial and accounting acumen. They will be able to provide guidance and oversight as NOCN looks towards ensuring its long-term sustainability and resilience.

The Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee will:  

• Oversee and approve the organisation's programme of internal scrutiny
• Ensure that risks are being addressed appropriately through internal scrutiny
• Report to the board on the adequacy of NOCN's internal control framework, including financial and non-financial controls and management of risks
• Review the audited annual report and financial statements

NOCN seeks a new Chair for its Audit and Risk committee, who will be a qualified accountant, and will bring strong financial acumen.

The successful candidate will be financially qualified, and will ideally have senior, strategic-level financial experience in either the commercial or professional services sector. They could, for example, be a COO of a commercial organisation. They could equally be a qualified accountant who has worked as a CFO or Financial Director. This individual will bring previous board-level experience, and will ideally have sat on an Audit & Risk committee before. Previous experience of chairing a board or committee would be beneficial, but is not a requirement for the role.

Above all, the successful candidate will be able to provide challenge to the Board and the executive, will be aligned with NOCN's mission and values, and will believe passionately in the power of education and its impact.

You can read more about the Board here.

There are four Board meetings per year, which take place in the NOCN Head Office in Sheffield (although hybrid attendance is acceptable) from 11am-3pm on weekdays. There are also four Audit and Risk Committee meetings per year, which take place online, and tend to last for two hours. Additionally, there is an annual strategy day in May, alongside ad hoc engagement when required. This role is for a three year term, which is renewable twice. This role is unremunerated, but reasonable, pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Candidates can be based anywhere in the UK, so long as they are willing to travel for meetings when possible.

NOCN welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.