Category manager jobs in Belfast

About us

We are a long-established UK research institution with charitable status and accounting operations in both the UK and East Africa. With an annual turnover of over £1 million, our finances span two entities and a range of restricted and unrestricted funds, consolidated for reporting. We are looking for a qualified accountant to join us as a contractor in a part-time, ongoing capacity to strengthen the running of our finance function.

The role

Our accountant in the East Africa office handles the day-to-day transactions — raising invoices, recording expenses and paying supplier bills. You will work alongside them, providing the qualified oversight, payment control and monthly discipline that keep the finance function running well, and supporting their development along the way.

It is a varied role that combines hands-on accuracy with oversight and coaching. In practice, you will:

• Support, guide and coach our accountant so that accounting entries are made correctly and consistently, building their skills over time.

• Run payment preparation and approval process in the UK entity, approving payment runs for release by local signatories.

• Financial management of project funds: accounting, expense management, funds transfers and accurate financial reporting.

• Review monthly results and report, examining the Statement of Financial Activities and underlying entries, and tracking performance against budget.

• Own the budgeting process, maintaining and updating the existing annual budget and monitoring it each month, and reporting quarterly to funders.

• Run a reliable monthly close and provide cover for our accountant during leave or absence to keep the accounting running.

• Lead on risk, taking an active interest in risk assessment, management and internal financial controls, working with compliance officer for local regulatory compliance.

• Attend and co-ordinate the finance and development meeting, support Companies House and Charity Commissions returns and updates.

• Administrative support for grant applications and management of these.

Key requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA), or a finalist with strong relevant experience.

• Right to work in the UK.

• Proficient in Xero, and either proficient in Joiin or a similar consolidation system such as Hyperion and able to learn it quickly. Familiarity with payment platforms (desirable).

• Sound understanding of payment controls, dual authorisation and segregation of duties.

• Experience of maintaining a budget and reviewing monthly performance against it.

• Detail-focused and hands-on, with the judgement to review, oversee and coach a colleague.

• Charity or non-profit experience is useful but not essential, including experience of managing project funds, expenses and reporting to funders.

What does success look like

In this role, success means:

• Accounting is accurate and correctly recorded across both entities.

• Monthly review and reporting is completed reliably and on time.

• The budget process is mastered and embedded in monthly reporting, with performance tracked against budget categories.

• Dual authorisation of key processes is operating successfully.

• Key processes in both entities are learnt, so you can cover for the East Africa accountant in the event of absence.

• The payment process is smooth, reviewed, and presented to the Director for second approval.

• Risk assessment is formalised and internal financial controls are maintained.

Who it suits

This role would suit an accountant who wants to broaden their range of experience, or an experienced accountant from the commercial or non-profit sector who now wishes to work part-time and contribute to the smooth running of a respected institution.

Our systems

We use Xero for our accounting and Joiin for consolidated reporting. Both are already implemented and stable. Proficiency in Joiin is ideal; otherwise, experience of a similar system and a readiness to learn this software quickly is an advantage.

How to apply

Please send your CV with a short covering note explaining your interest and how your experience fits the key requirements above. We will review applications on a rolling basis and may close early if we find the right candidate.

This permanent, part-time role is ideal for someone with strong financial administration and bookkeeping experience who is committed to social justice and human rights. You'll be responsible for the day-to-day management of our finances, maintaining accurate records, supporting reporting and compliance, and providing financial information to help staff and trustees make informed decisions.

Join us and play a key role in supporting Just Fair's mission to secure economic, social and cultural rights for everyone in the UK.

About us

Community rail is a unique and growing grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives across Britain.

Together, these organisations and volunteers deliver a wide range of initiatives, from engaging young people and building confidence in rail travel, to improving accessibility, enhancing stations, supporting biodiversity projects and creating community spaces that bring people together.

Community Rail Network is the national membership and umbrella body for the community rail movement across England, Scotland and Wales. We empower, support and champion community-led partnerships and groups, helping them create social, environmental and economic value through their work.

Our team of 22 colleagues is based across Britain, working mainly from home while coming together regularly online and in person. We are a collaborative, values-led organisation, passionate about making a difference through community rail.

We believe in nurturing talent, supporting professional development and creating an environment where everyone can reach their potential while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

About this role and your main responsibilities

We are looking for a compassionate, collaborative and creative leader to head up our work with members. Everyone on the team is here for our members, but you will lead the way in ensuring everything we do is driven by what members need, now and in the future, to help them develop, grow and thrive. You’ll also help ensure our members have a great experience whenever they are accessing our support and services.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you’ll actively contribute towards its collective work in driving organisational performance and success, including growing investment in our work so we can make an even bigger difference for our members and the communities they serve.

Please see the attached introduction from our Chief Executive and role profile for further information about the position, including its principal responsibilities and the experience, skills and attributes we are looking for.

Other information

The role will involve regular travel across England, Scotland and Wales to raise the organisation’s profile and engage with members, partners and key stakeholders.

There is flexibility on your location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or the north of England) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London.

It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of three months. 

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Action for Global Health (AfGH) is an influential membership network convening more than 50 organisations working in global health. Its vision is a world where health equity is achieved, and every person has access to the quality healthcare they need without being forced into financial hardship.

AfGH’s strategy, extended to 2029, aims to ensure that stronger commitments from the UK Government help more people worldwide access affordable, high-quality healthcare suited to their needs. The network works by bringing together member organisations, civil society groups, and people with lived experience of health inequality – especially from low- and middle-income countries – to influence UK policy. It acts as a key link between global health civil society and government departments such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, guided by its 10 health-equity principles.

AfGH is an independent network hosted by STOPAIDS, which provides legal, financial, HR, and administrative support.

The Position

As the Network Director, you will be responsible for convening and guiding the network, in partnership with the AfGH team, Steering Committee, wider membership and host organisation (STOPAIDS).

In this role, you will:

• Guide, oversee and review the implementation of AfGH’s 2022–2029 strategy.
• Secure AfGH’s ongoing financial sustainability and ensure accurate and clear financial reporting.
• Lead and coordinate AfGH’s policy and advocacy activities.
• Provide direction to the AfGH Secretariat, support the Membership & Development Director, line manage the Advocacy Manager, and manage relationships with STOPAIDS and Students for Global Health (partner organisation).
• Expand the AfGH membership to target groups and ensure that the network continues to engage and be driven by the membership.
• Ensure that AfGH continues to have appropriate governance in place in order to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

Benefits

We offer a number of benefits, including:

• A 28-hour (rather than 35-hour) working week policy, with no salary reductions. Staff are able to work reduced hours over 5 days or a 4-day week. We offer flexible working, with non-standard working hours.
• A home-based working policy with some access to co-working spaces across the UK and a monthly working-from-home allowance (included in salary).
• A group stakeholder pension scheme with 6% employer contributions.
• An individual learning and development budget allocated to staff members each year.
• 20 days’ annual leave per year (excluding bank holidays), plus 1 day for every year of service (up to 4 years).
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay for employees with 1 year’s service or more.

To apply, please click the Apply button to complete our application form.

Closing date: 7th September 2026.

Candidates must be UK-based with the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visa requests.

People living with or affected by health inequities, from Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds or from other minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.