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- Tasks: Lead and manage a national fostering charity's work in Northern Ireland.
- Company: Leading fostering charity in the UK focused on improving outcomes for children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 38 days annual leave, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading impactful initiatives.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in children's social care and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 53836 - 59012 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and credible senior leader to provide strategic direction and operational leadership for a national fostering charity's work in Northern Ireland.
Salary: £53,836 to £59,012 per annum
Location: This is a hybrid role, with travel to the Belfast office at least once a week.
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026
About the role
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading and delivering the organisation's vision, strategy and impact across Northern Ireland. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight, manage people and budgets, and act as a key external representative with government, regulators and sector partners.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing overall leadership and management of the organisation's work in Northern Ireland
- Developing and delivering Northern Ireland specific strategies aligned to UK wide objectives
- Leading, managing and supporting staff, volunteers and associates
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with national and local government, regulators, fostering services and members
- Acting as a spokesperson and senior representative in Northern Ireland
- Overseeing the design, delivery and evaluation of impactful programmes for foster carers and children
- Driving robust monitoring, impact measurement and reporting
- Securing funding through grants, tenders and partnerships
- Holding and managing budgets in line with organisational policies
- Identifying opportunities for innovation, collaboration and sector improvement
- Growing individual and corporate membership across Northern Ireland
- Acting as safeguarding lead for the country and ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies
About you
You will be an experienced senior leader with strong credibility across children's social care and fostering, comfortable operating at strategic and operational levels. You will bring:
- Senior leadership and management experience within children's social care or a closely related field
- In depth knowledge of foster care practice and policy across the UK
- Experience of working with statutory local authority services and senior stakeholders
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage change and deliver strategic plans
- Experience of managing budgets and securing funding
- Strong relationship building, influencing and communication skills
- Sound safeguarding knowledge and practice
- Excellent organisational and IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Teams and Office 365
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to the organisation's mission and values
Desirable experience includes a social work qualification, experience in the voluntary or independent sector, working across a national remit, or lived experience of foster care.
About the organisation
The organisation is the leading fostering charity in the UK, working to improve outcomes for children and young people through support, advocacy, programmes and membership services for foster carers and fostering services. It operates across all UK nations, working closely with governments, regulators and partners to influence policy and practice.
What's on offer: 38 days annual leave including
Country Director Northern Ireland in Belfast employer: The Fostering Network
Contact Detail:
The Fostering Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Country Director Northern Ireland in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and children's social care sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups to get your name out there and show your passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed budgets, or secured funding in the past. This will highlight your experience and make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Country Director Northern Ireland in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Country Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in children's social care and any relevant achievements that align with our mission at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles to show how you've successfully managed teams, budgets, and strategic initiatives. We love seeing real-world impact!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional qualifications. Share your passion for fostering and how it aligns with our values.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Fostering Network
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly research the fostering charity. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
As a Country Director, you'll need to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare for questions about how you would develop and deliver Northern Ireland-specific strategies. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully led similar initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role requires strong relationship-building abilities. Be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained relationships with stakeholders in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your influencing and communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Safeguarding
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be prepared to discuss your knowledge and experience in this area. Share examples of how you've ensured compliance with safeguarding policies and how you would approach this responsibility as a Country Director.
