Cycling Officer Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-based Social Enterprise on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make more informed choices in the management of public resources.

ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation and improve lives in Africa.

At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a remote-based volunteer Events Manager to join ADC.

Main Purpose of Job: The Major Gifts and Grants Officer will work closely with the Head of Fundraising to secure major gifts and execute effective fundraising campaigns that inspire donor engagement and achieve revenue goals in alignment with ADC’s fundraising strategy and mission.

Division: Social Impact

Department: Fundraising

Position Reports to: Head of Fundraising

Job type: Remote

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate and solicit high-net-worth individuals, foundations and corporations capable of making significant financial contributions
• Work closely with the Head of Fundraising on developing and executing personalized engagement strategies to secure major gifts and build long-term relationships with major donors, including high-net-worth individuals, corporations and foundations
• Design, implement and manage comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, corporate sponorships, email appeal and crowdfunding among other initiatives to meet targets in alignment with ADC’s fundraising strategy
• Coordinate with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of fundraising targets
• Coordinate with ADC’s marketing team to ensure consistency in messaging and branding as well as to ensure effective usage of fundraising platforms and digital tools to maximize campaign reach and visibility
• Report regularly to the Head of Fundraising on campaign progress, achievements and challenges against relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Oversee the stewardship and acknowledgement of major donors to ensure ongoing engagement and support
• Undertake responsibility for carrying out other relevant tasks as required 

Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Expertise

Essential
 

• Graduate/ Post graduate degree in social sciences, development studies, business management or equivalent

• At least 5-7 years of relevant experience in fundraising in a development context (preferably in Africa)
• Proven track record in designing, managing and executing successful fundraising campaigns and in closing gifts in a 5-6 figure range
• Good knowledge of the giving cycle and donor cultivation strategies

• Excellent interpersonal, networking and time management skills and the ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Strategic thinking with the ability to coordinate with departments, organize and prioritize workload and adhere to deadlines 

• Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
• Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment  

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a remote team

• A committed team player with outstanding communication skills  
• Available to volunteer at least 7-10 hours a week

Desirable

• Experience working in an early stage start-up and gone through a scaling phase
• Passion for the start-up life and comfortable in a role with a little ambiguity

·Experience in closing major gifts in the non-profit sector in Kenya
 

What ADC Offers You:
 

This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:

·Professional learning and career development opportunities
 

·An opportunity to build on your work experience within your profession
 

·An opportunity to be part of a diverse team representing different parts
of the world that is helping to deliver systemic social change in Africa
 

·An opportunity to help shape a start-up social enterprise
 

·We provide work reference

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitmentatafricandevelopmentchoicesdotorg

Support Through Court offers practical and emotional support to people going through the civil courts with no legal aid so that litigants in person are comfortable with the process and can represent themselves to the best of their ability. Our volunteers proved support face to face, on the phone, and online to people dealing with divorce, eviction, access to children and many other challenges. We believe that no one should have to face court alone.

Our current Chair, Caroline Artis is standing down at the end of May and we are looking to recruit a replacement. The new Chair will lead an established board of 9 trustees with a wide range of skills and experience, and work with our Chief Executive and leadership team.

We are looking for a Chair who has skills and experience in leading teams, focusing on strategic goals, communicating with stakeholders, and championing the values of an organisation. While we would expect the Chair to be committed to the values of Support Through Court we do not require applicants to have any experience or qualifications in law or the legal system. We value diversity in our trustees and encourage applications from all walks of life.

Our Chair will work closely with our Chief Executive and other trustees to achieve our strategic objectives. Our board meets five times a year and has three sub-committees dealing with service, audit and risk, and fundraising, each with its own chair. In addition to chairing full board meetings, the Chair will be responsible for appraising the work of the Chief Executive and acting as an ambassador for Support Through Court at various events.

Being a trustee and Chair of Support Through Court is hard work and needs real commitment but it is inspiring and fulfilling to be part of this team.

For further information visit our web site.

Closing date for applications: 6th April 2025

This is an exciting time for the Society of Genealogists. With membership income rising and funds available for development, it now seeks to shape its future through a new strategic plan.

Core to that plan is the Society’s desire to continue to play a central role in the development of genealogy in the UK, for professionals and amateurs alike.

The Society is always interested in hearing from individuals who would like to join as trustees. All we ask of trustees is that they bring their knowledge and passion to the challenge. In return, we can offer an opportunity to help shape the future of the Society.

Whether you are just starting out on your family tree or have many years of experience in this field, we would love to hear from you.

Background

The Society of Genealogists (“the Society”) is an educational charity founded in 1911 and is custodian of an extensive and exciting collection of diverse historical and modern, physical and digital records. The Society’s staff and volunteers include experienced and knowledgeable genealogy professionals, with remarkable knowledge and experience of genealogy. 

Chair of the Trustees

The Chair of the Trustees may serve a maximum of three terms of two years before being required to step down. Following the successful tenure of the present Chair, the Society is seeking to recruit the next Chair commencing from the AGM in July 2025, to continue to lead the Society in its continuing ambition to deliver a rewarding research and membership experience to all of its members in the UK and internationally; ensuring it continues to be a thriving organisation through the next stage of transformation and explores opportunities for growth.

We welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio-economic background.

This role will best suit a candidate who resides in the UK.

Please note that this role is voluntary and unpaid.

Job Description

Role: Chair

Term of Office: up to 6 years, with renewals every 2 years.

Purpose: To chair the Board of Trustees of the Society of Genealogists, ensuring that the charity runs legally and is provided with firm strategic direction.

Responsibilities (specific to the role of chair):

• To represent the Society and act as its spokesperson at external and internal functions, meetings, conferences, exhibitions.
• To lead the Board of Trustees in setting and monitoring implementation of the Society’s Strategy.
• To monitor the performance of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), including a formal annual review against objectives.
• To oversee, or directly manage, the selection of new trustees from time to time to maintain sufficient trustees with the appropriate mix of skills.
• To plan, in consultation with the CEO, the annual cycle and set agendas for the Board of Trustees meetings, the AGM and any extraordinary meetings.
• To chair and facilitate meetings of the Board of Trustees and associated special meetings/committees.
• To provide support and delegate assignments as necessary to the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
• To provide direction, support and impartial objective advice to the Board, individual Trustees and the Society as a whole covering: policymaking, liaison with honorary officers and with chairs of other committees.
• To liaise with the CEO in order to maintain an overview of the affairs of the Society, and to provide support as appropriate.
• To participate in personnel management grievance and disciplinary matters as defined by the personnel policies of the Society.
• To support and contribute to the development of the Board of Trustees, facilitating succession planning, change and conflict resolution.
   

Essential Skills/Qualities:

• Knowledge and experience of the voluntary and community sectors; understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• To work at all times with integrity, objectivity, and honesty.
• Awareness of the commercial realities of a not-for-profit organisation and ability to balance the variety of requests from membership while ensuring financial stability.
• Proven leader with insight, independent judgement, and ability to think creatively in order to drive the development and realisation of the Society’s strategic vision.
• Experience in a board or senior executive role, leading teams and chairing efficient decision-making forums, through effective communication and interpersonal skills including impartiality, fairness, good listening skills, a willingness to speak out where necessary with tact and diplomacy, and an ability to respect confidence and confidentiality.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the Society.
   

Desirable Skills/Qualities

• Understanding of the genealogy sector/market and the Society’s respective position therein.
• Experience in overseeing IT/digital projects and / or multifaceted change programmes.
• Experience in analysis of competitive position.
• Familiarity with and experience of reviewing financial accounts, budgeting, and financial controls.
• Demonstrable ability to develop a strong public profile amongst SOG members and in the genealogy community and to provide a strong contribution to fundraising from donations, grants, and legacy-giving.
   

General Responsibilities (with all Trustees):

• To ensure that the Society complies with its governing document (including pursuing its objects as defined therein), charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure that the resources of the Society are applied exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction to the Society, including setting overall policy, defining goals, evaluating performance against agreed targets and implementation of decisions made by the Board of Trustees.
• To safeguard the reputation and values of the Society.
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Society.
• To ensure the Society has financial stability and aims to deliver profits to reinvest in its services.
• To protect and manage the property of the Society and the proper investment of its funds.

2025 is a pivotal time for our small, family centred Charity as we move into our 22nd year. This year our Board will be defining our new mission and preparing for implementation. We're seeking new trustees to join us to contribute to our new mission and define the Charity's direction as we conclude our first mission in late 2025.

The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) is a small multi-award winning, family-centred charity, delivering both in-person and virtual interventions and experiences in the UK - these moments-in-time are called Muscle Dreams, designed specifically for children & young people (8-28yrs) with the muscle wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

MHF’s impact is felt by beneficiaries and their families across the UK – from improved confidence, greater self-esteem, and an increased sense of hopefulness to a powerful shared identity that connects families, giving a platform to share knowledge, memories and establish lasting friendships.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We are looking for Trustees who have a passion to take the charity forward, to grow impact, to leave a personal legacy and to feel the sense of personal fulfilment from the time they volunteer.

AS A TRUSTEE, YOU WILL

• Have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Contribute to the governance of our small, well respected, national charity
• Have strategic responsibility for a specific skill area
• Act as an advocate/champion in promoting the charity's work across your network
• Receive induction, support and training
• Bring your lived experience, in using and further developing your skills for the benefit of others
• Be a part of the team that will help the charity achieve its overarching 657 Muscle Dream mission

REQUIREMENTS + KEY CRITERIA

Commitment to the charity’s values, bags of enthusiasm, an understanding and passion for our work, great comms skills and a real desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable community. You may have experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions, but this is not essential.

MAIN BOARD MEETINGS + EXPENSES

Trustee Board meetings take place virtually. They are usually 2hrs. Over and above this time commitment, trustees on average, depending on their role, may give additional time in being directly involved in occasional ad projects – MHF Trustees ‘own’ a ‘bucket’, in other words, an area of responsibility like HR, Fundraising, Safeguarding, Marketing, Finance, Digital, Risk or Campaign Management that allows an individual to bring their skills, experience and talents to the charity. Reasonable expenses will be covered.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR – PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Absolute belief in the cause
• Desire to learn the trustee role, previous governance expertise is an advantage
• Excellent communicators with great listening, responding and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to both empower and challenge supportively.
• Strong commitment to equality, and an understanding of disability and how for example this may impact on the quality of life and life choices for disabled people and their families.
• Commitment and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee.
• Commitment to the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• Strong desire to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable beneficiary community.
• Understanding of the context/environment in which the charity works - it is estimated that some 96% of MHF's beneficiaries are those with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most severe variant of muscular dystrophy - it is life limiting.
• Understanding the importance of ensuring public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Collaborative working (part of a team), using sound independent judgement and collective decision making.
• The capacity to grasp issues outside ones personal experience.
• The ability to think creatively both in terms of high level strategy and development.
• Commitment to equality and diversity with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL YOU MAKE?

To provide strategic leadership in line with our values and goals. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills, passion and experience to ensure that the charity achieves its objectives – as a Trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders and act as an ambassador. 

AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUR UNIQUE SELF

As an MHF Trustee, this is an exciting opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity in reaching its overarching goal to deliver 657 Muscle Dream interventions, that's one experience for every muscle in the human body, cherished moments-in-time that truly changes lives and give hope, and beyond as we reach this goal.

IN RETURN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT

• You will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Be part of a team all supporting the charity and rowing in the same direction
• Contribute to the governance of a national charity, that's worked tirelessly over the past 20 years
• Have your voice heard and listened to
• Attend events, meet beneficiaries & families and directly witness the impact of the charity’s work
• Have strategic responsibility for a skill area such as: HR, Fundraising, Corporate Partnerships etc
• Network with other like-minded individuals with common values
• Receive induction, support and training
• And much more…

INCLUSION - PROUD OF OUR BOARD DIVERSITY

Our greatest strength as a board and as an charity is in our community's diversity. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with diverse skills and experiences that reflect the diversity of our beneficiaries and welcome applications from first time Trustees.