Lead Officer for Lived Experience

Background:

NFCC is looking to recruit a new Lead Officer for Lived Experience.

NFCC follows this definition of Lived Experience:

The unique knowledge, perspective and understanding that a person or group(s) of people have, which is formed through their direct experiences.

Lived experience in this sense is likely to be drawn on from a person or people who are from an underrepresented group or a group that have experienced institutional and structural barriers or direct discrimination.

Listening to, reflecting on, and learning from lived experience can assist in informing change in a way that cannot be accessed by people who do not have that experience.

The primary purpose of this role is to chair the Lived Experience Advocacy Forum which is comprised of national network/organisation leads for the following groups: AFSA; Black Members Network; Fire Fighters Charity; FireWorks; UK FirePRIDE; Women in the Fire Service. Other groups with lived experience may be invited to join the Lived Experience Advocacy Forum in the future.

Lived Experience is one of the priorities in the PCL Strategic Plan which is overseen and steered by the People, Culture and Leadership (PCL) Committee. The Forum Chair will be a member of this committee. They shall also attend Steering Group and Chiefs Council as-and-when required to represent and advocate for the Forum.

 

The role involves:

  • Chairing the Lived Experience Advocacy Forum (meets bi-monthly)
  • Providing strategic-level sponsorship, advice and peer support to the PCL Hub, PCL Committee and wider NFCC on lived experience matters
  • Identify opportunities to collaborate with other NFCC Lead Officers, Hubs, and external partners on related topics
  • Attending and advising the PCL Committee (meets quarterly) on lived experience
  • Advising other NFCC strategic groups and stakeholders on behalf of NFCC, as required e.g., steering group, Chiefs Council, lead government departments/ civil servants and ministers

 

We are looking for a strategic leader who:

  • Is in a Chief Fire Officer, Deputy or Assistant Fire Officer role, or is their organisation’s Strategic People Lead
  • Has experience of engaging at a national level with multiple stakeholders and the wider industry sector
  • Has a good understanding of the PCL strategic plan, EDI and lived experience-related matters, and current challenges facing the UKFRS workforce
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of the issues and differences in approach required across the UK’s devolved nations
  • Is a great communicator, who conveys a strong commitment towards lived experience matters in UKFRS
  • Has previous experience of bringing partners together to achieve a common goal

 

Please find linked here the relevant Role Requirements and Lead Role Profile:

NFCC Lead Officer for Lived Experience – Role Requirements

NFCC-Lead-Officer-Role-Profile April 2026

 

Please note that this is a voluntary opportunity to be undertaken alongside the ‘day job’ and, as such, applicants should consider their individual and organisation capacity to fulfil the requirements listed above.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity please contact Abigail Hopewell, Head of the People Culture and Leadership Hub, or Amy Keirl, Senior PCL Specialist for Equality Diversity and Inclusion, directly by email or via the PCL Hub email address pclhub@nfcc.org.uk

 

To apply, please complete this form providing experience of qualifications and experience relevant to this post.

The closing date: Tuesday 26th May, midday.

Please note, we are unable to accept any other form of application.

The Lived Experience Advocacy Forum members will actively participate in the selection process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a short interview with representatives from the Lived Experience Advocacy Forum.

Should you have any queries, please email: adverts@nfcc.org.uk