War Child UK was established in 1993 as a response to the brutal effects of conflict on children during the Balkans war. Its vision is of a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war, with a mission to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children affected by conflict.

War Child UK aims to respond to conflict emergencies early, bringing life-saving child protection and psycho-social support to children in acutely vulnerable situations as soon as possible. The mission also extends through post-conflict to recovery phases, meaning that it stays with affected populations until the impact of conflict is no longer the primary driver of issues that need to be addressed.

War Child has grown rapidly over the past few years and income has increased from approximately £3.5m per year in 2011, to £17m in 2020, thereby significantly expanding its capabilities and reach. More detail can be found in the annual report and accounts here. From 5,000 programme participants in 2008, to over 170,000 in 2020, War Child is reaching an increasing number of children each year. Its programming has become more efficient, more professionally managed, and more consistent across the countries in which it works.

The charity is now a trusted partner of the UN and national donors, receiving significant support from UN emergency pooled funds, UNHCR and UNICEF, in emergency response programmes, with longer term programmes funded by UK Aid, Dubai Cares, EU development funds, and other high quality donors. In addition to individual donor funding, War Child adopts creative methods to raise awareness and diversify funding streams. Its newly established in-house recording label demonstrates its commitment to raising awareness and funds through music. Additionally, its successful partnerships with Sports Interactive through Football Manager, Google, and Take-Two also contribute to its overall mission to provide support to children in conflict-ridden zones.

The conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine have been a focus for War Child UK in recent months. In Afghanistan, the charity has quadrupled its staff numbers and budget to safeguard children facing the consequences of economic collapse. In Ukraine, it continues to respond to the needs of vulnerable children and young people who have fled the country as well as delivering online educational tools across the region.

War Child is fully committed to the Core Humanitarian Standards, and has strong internal systems for safeguarding, security, and essential standards. For more information, War Child UK's Child Safeguarding policy can be found here and its Code of Conduct can be found here.

War Child’s Board of Trustees is made up of a number of experienced individuals who play an important role in making sure that the organisation operates effectively, and that it achieves its charitable aims.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the governance of all War Child’s work and delegates the day-to-day management to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Trustees work together to provide constructive challenge and support as necessary, acting as a sounding board on strategic matters and drawing on their own expertise and experiences.

The Board has delegated specific responsibilities to two Sub-Committees. One of the new Trustees would sit on the Audit and Risk Committee, which is responsible for ensuring that War Child manages its risks and has strong internal controls; the other would sit on the Programme Quality Committee, which looks at the performance of War Child's programmes as well as exploring new ways to understand and communicate the impact of its work.

Trustee (Legal)

As part of succession planning, War Child UK seeks a new Trustee with legal expertise to join its Board. You will be a qualified lawyer with experience in the area of corporate law.

Applicants will bring a solid understanding of corporate law; given potential considerations around a merger to further its impact internationally, experience in corporate restructuring / M&A would be useful but not necessary. War Child UK is a limited company with charitable status so an understanding of charity law would also be welcome.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to children in acute need and will be excited to help War Child maintain its high standards of effectiveness and organisational integrity.

---

Trustee (Creative Industries)

War Child UK seeks a new Trustee with marketing or brand management experience in the creative industries to join its Board. You will understand how best to promote digital content, whether audio or visual, online.

The charity is aiming to further its profile, grow its online footprint and develop its own independent record label, War Child Records, which currently provides c. 10% of its income. It's therefore looking for someone who brings experience in marketing or brand management in the creative industries. You will be able to advise on how digital content can be used online to mobilise support for War Child's life-saving campaigns, perhaps via social media or engaging with influencers, and how the charity can make its work resonate with young people.

This role is unremunerated, and reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board and Sub-committee each meet four times per year; meetings are a mixture of virtual and in-person meetings in London. The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed once at the discretion of the Board.