Human Rights Volunteer Roles in North East
At Makani, we work with refugee women through the arts to overcome trauma, fight for their rights, and to transform their lives and the world around them. Our vision is a world of freedom, dignity and equality for all displaced women and girls.
We work in Lebanon with Syrian and Palestinian refugee women, and in the UK with refugee women from all over the world. In both countries we run therapeutic arts projects including theatre and craft therapy, filmmaking and feminist embroidery. In addition, in Lebanon we also help women through economic empowerment and income generation, access to training and education, and we are responding to the humanitarian crisis with emergency support for displaced families.
Makani was founded in 2022, building upon years of work supporting Syrian and Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon by our co-founders, one of whom is a displaced woman herself. We were officially registered as a charity in June 2024.
We are a small but ambitious organisation that is already transforming the lives of over 100 refugee women and their families in Lebanon, and dozens in the UK. We have rapidly grown over the past two years, with the accompanying rapid increase in income. We are driven by our passion for a better world for marginalised refugee women.
POSITION: Treasurer
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial management, health and sustainability of the organisation, contributing to the strategic direction and decision-making process.
DETAILS
Location: Home-based, with occasional meetings in London.
Remuneration: This is a voluntary position, expenses covered.
Hours: Variable but generally up to two days a month.
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Board meetings: Quarterly
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Additional time commitment for strategic planning and financial support to the Senior Leadership team
Deadline: Friday 15 November, midnight
ROLE OUTLINE
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Financial Oversight:
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Provide financial leadership and guidance to the Board.
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Oversee the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
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Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
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Budgeting and Forecasting:
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Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to develop and monitor the annual budget.
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Provide financial projections and recommendations for strategic planning.
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Financial Compliance:
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Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements.
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Oversee the preparation of financial statements and reports for annual accounting, and any potential future audit.
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Risk Management:
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Identify and assess financial risks and propose strategies to mitigate them.
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Work with the Board to develop and implement risk management policies.
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Fundraising Support:
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Collaborate with the Chair of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
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Provide financial insights to support grant applications and donor relations.
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Financial Training:
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Educate and guide board members on financial matters, ensuring a collective understanding of financial responsibilities.
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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
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Professional qualification in finance, accounting, or a related field.
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Proven experience in financial management, preferably in the non-profit sector.
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Familiarity with charity governance and compliance requirements.
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Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
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Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Passion for the organisation's vision, mission and values.
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An understanding of the challenges faced by small start-up organisations, and a supportive and solutions-focused approach to meeting these.
Desirable but not essential:
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Arabic language skills
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An understanding of the issues faced by refugee women in the UK and/or Lebanon.
TO APPLY
Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role via CharityJob.
Makani is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Our mission is to work with refugee women to overcome trauma, fight for their rights, and to transform their lives and the world around them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Makani, we work with refugee women through the arts to overcome trauma, fight for their rights, and to transform their lives and the world around them. Our vision is a world of freedom, dignity and equality for all displaced women and girls.
We work in Lebanon with Syrian and Palestinian refugee women, and in the UK with refugee women from all over the world. In both countries we run therapeutic arts projects including theatre and craft therapy, filmmaking and feminist embroidery. In addition, in Lebanon we also help women through economic empowerment and income generation, access to training and education, and we are responding to the humanitarian crisis with emergency support for displaced families.
Makani was founded in 2022, building upon years of work supporting Syrian and Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon by our co-founders, one of whom is a displaced woman herself. We were officially registered as a charity in June 2024.
We are a small but ambitious organisation that is already transforming the lives of over 100 refugee women and their families in Lebanon, and dozens in the UK. We have rapidly grown over the past two years, with the accompanying rapid increase in income. We are driven by our passion for a better world for marginalised refugee women.
POSITION: Chair of the Board of Trustees
The Chair of the Board of Trustees will provide leadership and support to the rest of the Board and the Senior Leadership Team as we put in place stronger systems and structures. Key responsibilities will include fundraising, governance, and leading on the development and implementation of an organisational strategy for the next three years, helping us to grow sustainably.
The Chair will be a passionate advocate of refugee women's rights and issues, with a strong belief in gender justice and migrant justice.
DETAILS:
Location: Home-based, with occasional meetings in London.
Remuneration: This is a voluntary position, expenses covered.
Hours: Variable but generally up to two days a month.
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Regular preparation for and attendance at Board meetings (quarterly or as needed).
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Participation in committee meetings and strategic planning sessions.
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External engagements and providing support to the Senior Leadership team.
Deadline: Friday 15 November, midnight
ROLE OUTLINE:
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Leadership and Governance:
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Provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring the effective governance of the organisation.
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Chair and facilitate Board meetings, working with the Executive team to set the agenda and ensuring discussions are focused on key priorities.
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Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture within the Board.
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Provide support to the Executive team.
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Board Development:
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Lead efforts to manage and develop a diverse and skilled Board of Trustees.
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Encourage continuous learning and development among Board members.
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Strategic Planning:
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Work collaboratively with the Board and senior management to develop and implement a three-year strategy for Makani
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Monitor progress towards strategic goals and adjust plans as necessary.
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Advocacy and Representation:
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Act as a visible and effective ambassador for the organisation, representing it to external stakeholders, donors, and the wider community.
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Fundraising Support:
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Collaborate with the Board Treasurer and Executive Team to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
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Develop donor networks and represent Makani in funding events and circles as necessary.
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Provide insights to support grant applications.
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Financial Oversight:
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Work closely with the Treasurer and Executive Team to ensure financial sustainability.
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Provide oversight and support for financial decision-making.
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Risk Management:
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Identify and address risks to the organisation's mission and reputation.
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Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement risk management strategies.
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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
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Proven experience in a leadership role and especially in supporting organisational development and fundraising
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Proven experience as a board member in the charity sector
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Familiarity with charity governance and compliance requirements.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
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Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Passion for the organisation's vision, mission and values.
-
An understanding of the challenges faced by small start-up organisations, and a supportive and solutions-focused approach to meeting these.
Desirable but not essential:
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Arabic language skills
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Experience of working with refugee women in the UK and/or Lebanon.
TO APPLY:
Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role via CharityJob's 'Quick apply' button below.
Makani is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
Our mission is to work with refugee women to overcome trauma, fight for their rights, and to transform their lives and the world around them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
British Red Cross work experience placements include a combination of office administration and work on discrete, short-term projects, depending on the person’s areas of interest and skill. Work experience typically takes place on a full-time basis for one or two weeks.
Work experience placements give an opportunity to gain experience within different departments and an insight into the work of the British Red Cross.
The British Red Cross is offering a Virtual Careers Taster week which will give you an insight into the world of work with one of the world’s biggest humanitarian organisation in the charity sector. The week will include various workshops and the opportunity to meet other staff members at the British Red Cross.
The sessions will be online via Zoom. Placement volunteers will need to have access to Zoom for the full week.
The placement will run from 28 October to 1 November 2024 from 10am to 1pm each day.
The scheme is predominantly open to young people aged 18- 25 year olds and there are 15 places available.
The week will cover the following:
- Induction to the British Red Cross: You will learn about the history of the movement, our work and fundamental principles as well as gaining First Aid skills
- Career Development Workshop: In this workshop you will learn about career opportunities, be able to develop your CV and application writing skills as well as learn interview skills.
- Digital Media: You will learn about how to keep yourself safe online and what different annotations me in the social media world.
- International Humanitarian Law: You will learn about humanitarian law and what it means in today’s society
- Networking: You will meet staff member from different teams and learn about their career journeys!
This opportunity allows young people to understand how an organisation in the charity sector operates and what the British Red Cross does and stands for.
This role will suit individuals with good communication skills, are a team player, are able to work independently and have an interest in the charity sector.
If you are interested in taking part then please complete an application on our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you passionate about helping people from Afghanistan feel welcome and supported in the UK? Do you have the language skills and cultural understanding to assist Afghan refugees as they navigate the challenges of building a new life? If you’re adaptable, resilient, and dedicated to making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!
About us
The Gulab Sorkh Foundation (GSF) is an independent charity supporting Afghan nationals resettled in the UK under the ARAP scheme. We are a small but impactful organisation, dedicated to helping those who worked closely with British forces in Afghanistan and their families integrate successfully into British life.
Job description
We are looking for one or two volunteer interpreters—one fluent in Dari and one fluent in Pashto or one fluent in both—to join our team at the Gulab Sorkh Foundation (GSF). You will play a key role in supporting Afghan refugees who have resettled in the UK, assisting them in accessing essential services and communicating effectively in their daily lives.
This is an influential volunteer opportunity where you will make a real difference by helping Afghan refugees integrate into British society, providing crucial interpretation during interactions with service providers and in trainings.
As a Volunteer Interpreter, you will:
· Provide interpretation services (Dari or Pashto) to Afghan refugees, assisting them to understand key information related to housing, healthcare, education, and other public services.
· Interpret at a variety of trainings.
· Offer support and cultural understanding to ensure refugees feel comfortable and respected throughout their resettlement process.
Key responsibilities:
· Interpret accurately and sensitively between Dari/Pashto and English during one-on-one and group interactions.
· Collaborate with case managers and external partners to ensure the refugees’ needs are effectively communicated.
· Be aware of and sensitive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma and displacement.
· Follow data protection laws and policies.
Essential skills:
· Fluency (written and verbal) in Dari and/or Pashto and in English.
· A high level of cultural sensitivity and empathy towards Afghan refugees.
· Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information clearly and accurately.
· Ability to remain neutral and impartial in all interactions.
· Commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and confidentiality.
· Strong IT skills including Microsoft Teams, and the rest of the Microsoft Office suite.
Desirable:
· Level 3 in Interpretation.
· Previous experience working with refugees or vulnerable communities.
· Knowledge of UK systems such as healthcare, housing, and immigration.
· Understanding of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme.
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Please note:
· This is an unpaid voluntary position, offering flexibility to fit around your other commitments.
· This is a completely remote role, and as such you will need to ensure that you have access to a confidential, quite space during your working hours.
· As this role has contact with vulnerable groups, it is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references.
The deadline for the role is midnight on 20/10/2024. Shortlisting will take place on w/o 21/10/2024. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications by end of day 25/10/2024.
We actively encourage applications from individuals with lived experiences of migration or refugee resettlement.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Sounddelivery Media is a dynamic charity tackling injustice and inequality. We’re looking to strengthen our board by recruiting a new trustee with financial experience to take us into the next stage of our development.
Who we are
Sounddelivery Media is a dynamic charity tackling injustice and inequality. We’re looking to strengthen our board by recruiting new Trustees to take us into the next stage of our development as an organisation.
Sounddelivery Media works alongside people with direct experience of social injustice and inequality to advocate for themselves and their communities publicly by providing training, support and media matches, media meet ups and media opportunities. We work to address representation and
The role
The overall role of a trustee with financial experience is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs, including its financial affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records, controls and procedures are maintained.
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties include:
● Financial oversight of the charity – being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.
● Overseeing and reviewing the preparation of the charity’s annual budget. Then presenting the budget to the Board for approval.
● Reviewing the quarterly management accounts and annual financial statements and presenting to the Board for approval in collaboration with the CEO and Finance and Operations Manager.
● Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy.
● Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
● Liaising with any paid staff and external accountants about financial matters.
● Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
● Ensuring that the annual financial statements are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission.
● Ensuring external scrutiny of the financial statements in the manner required and any recommendations are implemented.
● Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
● Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
● Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.
● Lead oversight of the risk register to ensure that the risk mitigating actions are appropriate and being undertaken
● To act as the lead person for staff to raise in confidence any concerns about fraud.
About you
In addition to the person specification of a trustee, duties of the trustee with financial experience include:
● Financial qualifications and experience within the charity sector
● Extensive experience at setting and managing budgets.
● Some experience fundraising, income generation and pension scheme.
● Alignment with Sounddelivery Media’s mission.
● Supporting the board to make decisions relating to the financial health of the charity
● Providing appropriate oversight at operational level
● The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
● A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time
● A willingness to learn and carry out the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship
For a full description of the trustee with financial experience role, please see our application pack.