SPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

AUGUST 2022

Purpose of role

UNICEF UK is seeking applications for members of the newly created Sport Advisory Board. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds in the sport industry, but particularly with experience in: talent, agencies, broadcasting, commercial, digital as well as current and former athletes. You will bring vision, strong communication skills and an understanding of governance to help guide and enhance the strategic development of UNICEF UK’s work in sport.

Each Advisory Board member will use their specific skills, networks, and experience to collectively help the Board reach sound decisions and drive forward our strategy. This will include usindig the influence and networks of individual Sports Advisory Board members to progress new income, further develop our work using sport as a platform for social impact and help make sport safer for children.

Sport is a powerful global force with the potential to act as a passion point to engage our mass audience and as a lever to drive significant outcomes for children. At Unicef UK, our vision is a world in which the power of sport is harnessed for children and their rights. You can find out more about our work in sport at https://www.unicef.org.uk/sport-for-development/. We have an established footprint within the sports sector to build from, highlighted by:

• Our work with the three biggest sporting organisations in the world (FIFA, Commonwealth Games Federation, International Olympic Committee) to make sport safer for children.

• An established set of sport partners including Manchester United (the longest running football charity partnership in the sector), and Formula E (the biggest sport climate change partnership globally).

• An engaged and influential set of ambassadors and high-profile supporters, including David Beckham, Sir Andy Murray, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Gareth Bale, Ramla Ali and Sir Chris Hoy.

• We have supported over 11 million children through Sport for Development over the last 7 years and nearly 50 million children play in organisations that have taken the safe sport pledge following our sector leadership.

UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. As an Advisory Board member, you must be fully committed to the objectives and mission of UNICEF and UNICEF UK, sharing our vision to do whatever it takes until every child is safe and able to fulfil their potential. You are expected to acquire a sound knowledge of the activities and the parameters within which we work. You must be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role and to becoming part of an impactful team.

As an Advisory Board member, you will share and role-model our values. Launched in December 2021, Our Shared Commitment, was developed by and for our people, and sets out how we work together and the culture we want to create. We are committed to putting children first, finding solutions, mutual trust and respect, inclusion and belonging, compassion and collaboration. We are looking for people who demonstrate values led leadership and decision making and share our passion for making a difference for children in the UK and all around the world.

Responsibilities

You will Work with other Advisory Board members to:

• Utilise individual and collective influence to position Unicef UK as the go-to charity for the sports industry.

• Offer expertise, support and advice in delivering and developing the sport strategy for UNICEF UK, including looking at future focus and direction of travel.

• Drive new income for UNICEF UK through introducing peer networks, identifying opportunities and advising on delivery of existing sports partnerships.

• Support on creation of an impactful communications strategy for UNICEF UK’s work in sport, that drives impact for children and builds the profile of UNICEF UK’s work in the sector.

• Advocate for key themes that UNICEF UK and the sport team address, such as climate change, safeguarding andchild rights in sport.

• Promote UNICEF UK’s vision, mission and values and demonstrate UNICEF UK’s values in all of the Advisory Board’s work.

• Generally contribute specific skills, interests and contacts to support UNICEF UK in its fundraising and advocacy activities.

General

• Be an effective member of the Sport Advisory Board in exercising its responsibilities and functions, attending meetings regularly.

• Maintain confidentiality on any sensitive or confidential matters discussed, in line with data protection legislation and relevant UNICEF UK policies.

• Avoid conflicts of interest; declaring and appropriately managing any conflicts should they arise.

• Maintain good relations with other advisors and UNICEF UK staff.

• Be willing and able to uphold UNICEF UK’s political neutrality.

• Undergo a half day induction upon appointment and ongoing training to remain up to date, with the duties and responsibilities of being an Advisory Board member and the work of the charity.

• Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Advisory Board member.

Person specification

We are looking to recruit 6 – 8 Sport Advisory Board members, and within this appoint a Chair of the Board, who will work closely with the Head of Sport and wider sports team to ensure success of the Board. We would particularly welcome experience in agency, athletes, talent, broadcast, commercial, digital, governance, sport for development and sustainability. We encourage applications from candidates who will enhance the diversity of the Sport Advisory Board as we seek to represent all ethnicities, ages, genders, sexual orientations and those who living with a disability.

Essential

• A passion for and commitment to UNICEF UK’s vision, mission and values and to promoting the interests of children everywhere.

• Demonstrable leadership experience in or around the sports industry.

• Profile and credibility in the sports industry.

• Influential and well respected by peers in the sports industry.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent UNICEF UK and its work to key stakeholders. Willing to interact with and influence a broad range of people, for the benefit of the organisation.

• Able to work effectively as a member of a team while contributing an independent perspective, providing motivating support and challenge.

• An understanding of the environments in which UNICEF UK operates (and willing to learn more).

• Knowledgeable in sports charity work or very interested in learning about the current trends in charity, sport and sport governance.

• Able to devote the time required for the role, with a minimum of 2-3 hours a month for the role as an advisor.

• Values inclusivity and respects colleagues’ different perspectives, experience, skills and knowledge.

• Demonstrates commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

• As a Sport Advisory Board member, you will normally be expected to attend every Board meeting (once a quarter, for approximately 2 hours) that are usually held during office hours at UNICEF UK’s offices in London or virtually. You can also expect to participate in specific working groups established by the Board to examine relevant issues. In addition, some time will need to be devoted to reading and considering papers, to discussions with relevant colleagues, and attendance at short ad hoc meetings when needed.

• Where necessary, support will be provided in the form of relevant development and training events.

• Appointments will normally be for a period of up to two years, which may be extended provided the person concerned still meets the criteria for membership of the Board. You will meet with the Head of Sport twice a year to agree and review objectives.

• As a representative of UNICEF UK, advisors must be mindful of our values and conduct. This includes protecting confidentiality, adhering to safeguarding and political neutrality when representing UNICEF UK.

• The role is unpaid but reasonable expenses are payable in line with UNICEF UK’s standard expense policies.

What to expect from UNICEF UK:

• A committed Relationship Manager as your key UNICEF UK contact who will support you, provide you with day-to-day assistance and manage requests for your time.

• Following your appointment, a comprehensive induction to our work including information on our international programmes, fundraising, and introductions to UNICEF UK personnel.

• Agreement to use the title ‘UNICEF UK Sports Advisory Board member’ - on LinkedIn, personal website, CV, signature, business card, biography – making it clear it is a voluntary role. e.g. “I’m proud to have been appointed by UNICEF UK to the voluntary role of UNICEF UK Advisor” or “UNICEF UK Advisor (Voluntary)”. Please include UK in this title.

• Invitations to exclusive UNICEF UK events, both virtual and in-person.

• A minimum of one private gathering each year for our Advisors, hosted by UNICEF Executive Director.

• Opportunities to network with UNICEF UK staff, plus with other UNICEF Advisors, Trustees, Supporters and Ambassadors.

• Administrative support to assist in undertaking the role of a UNICEF UK Advisor, e.g. briefing/ logistics for attendance at an event or key meeting.

• Support with all media and online activity related to UNICEF UK.

• Updates relating to your area of interest and expertise as well as broader UNICEF issues e.g. humanitarian emergencies, key campaigns.