Lived Experience Advocacy Forum Chair
Background:
NFCC is looking to recruit a new Chair of the Lived Experience Advocacy Forum.
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 and may attend the Equality Diversity & Inclusion Board. 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:
- Ideally holds a strategic position in their organisation – such as Chief Fire Officer, Deputy or Assistant Fire Officer role, or is their organisation’s Strategic People Lead
- Is confident and comfortable chairing strategic meetings, and is able to create safe environments for staff to share sensitive information that can be assimilated and fed back in a meaningful way
- Has a good understanding of the PCL strategic plan, EDI and lived experience-related matters, and current challenges facing the UKFRS workforce
- Ideally has experience of engaging with multiple stakeholders at a national level and across the wider industry sector
- 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 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 abigail.hopewell@nfcc.org.uk or Amy Keirl, Senior PCL Specialist for Equality Diversity and Inclusion amy.keirl@nfcc.org.uk
To apply, please complete this form by the closing date of Tuesday 22nd September 2026.
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 regarding the application process, please email: adverts@nfcc.org.uk