Financial accountant volunteer volunteer roles in Watford, hertfordshire

Are you looking for a pivotal role in a diverse, groundbreaking charity? Join Hidayah as our next treasurer on the Board of Trustees. 

Hidayah is a volunteer-led organisation supporting LGBTQ+ Muslims through community support, advocacy, education, and wellbeing initiatives.

The treasurer carries out Hidayah’s financial responsibilities, files reports, and presents regularly to the Board of Trustees. 

What do we specifically expect of this role?

• To take accountability for the bank account and to be an authorised signatory.

• To present financial updates at Trustee meetings and to devolve budgets where necessary.

• To ensure adherence to budgets.

• To present a predicted target and actual budget for the year.

• To work with the chair to give breakdowns of costings for fundraising bids and for events/activities/paid members of staff.

• To create the annual year-end financial report for the Charity Commission.

• To seek out revenue opportunities within the limits of Hidayah’s activities.

• To document how restricted and unrestricted funds are spent, including reports for grant funders.

• To approach organisations for donations and sponsorship opportunities.

• To increase revenue through public donations (online and actual) and to be proactive in doing this.

• To work with other Trustees to plan income-generating activities.

How much commitment is required?

This role requires a minimum commitment of 4–5 hours per week, with additional time required during busy periods or organisational activities. The following commitments are in place for all Hidayah Trustees:

• To be able to attend all Trustee meetings.

• To deliver a comprehensive report at each Board meeting with updates, completing actions in time;

• To aim to attend all other meetings as necessary, including the annual Strategy Day, annual General Meeting and (where geography permits) Hidayah events.

• To help to fundraise for and advertise any Hidayah events and fundraising drives.

• To be part of a communications group (via Discord) to keep up to date with Hidayah developments.

• To contribute to and to maintain the administration of our file-sharing system, Google Drive, so it is always up-to-date with clear records, templates, and forms.

• To check emails and to respond when needed.

• Line managing the finance assistant, including regular 121 meetings.

• Enthusiasm, dedication, responsiveness, flexibility, and eagerness in supporting the aims, vision, and mission of Hidayah.

• To contribute to the Charity Commission's annual report once a year.

• The role is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

• To read new Hidayah policies and initiatives.

• To read, understand, and agree with the constitution of Hidayah (available on the website).

What do we expect from a treasurer?

Please note that you must agree with and fit the essential criteria below to be eligible to volunteer in this role:

Knowledge & Experience:

• Educated to degree level or has experience which demonstrates equivalent analytical ability.

• Knowledge of quality assurance systems and their benefits for the voluntary sector.

• Knowledge of good governance procedures for the voluntary sector.

• Experience of budget management, preferably in the charity sector, but applicable to other sectors.

• High level of numeracy and close attention to detail.

• Basic AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) experience is desirable but not essential.

Skills & Attributes

• Ability or willingness to learn line managing, developing, coaching, and motivating volunteers.

• Working and influencing at both a strategic and operational level, ensuring excellent working relationships with trustees and volunteers.

• A self-starter who can maintain their workload with minimal supervision.

• Friendliness, enthusiasm, dedication, responsiveness, flexibility, and eagerness in supporting the aims, vision, and mission of Hidayah.

• Ability to respond to conflict situations (if needed) with professionalism, adhering to Hidayah’s policies.

• Ability to handle and learn filing, online banking, and finance systems, including Google Drive and Sage.

What benefits do I get from this role?

• Contributing to Hidayah’s cause, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within LGBTQI+ Muslim communities.

• Strategic leadership experience and development of charity governance skills.

• Opportunity to expand your professional and community networks. 

• Experience working with a passionate and supportive volunteer team. 

Job description

The Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA) is an African-led and inspired charity, established in 1989.  Its mission is to reduce poverty among the pastoralists in the Horn of Africa through the empowerment of communities and to foster sustainable and dignified livestock-based and non-livestock-based livelihoods. In the UK, it works with the Horn diaspora community through youth mentoring and leadership programmes. 

PENHA’s Aims and Objectives

• Sustainable livelihoods require a coordinated approach at the grassroots and policy levels. PENHA, therefore, commits itself to two goals:
• The social, cultural and economic integration of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa
• Dynamic, diversified and sustainable pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods, with expanded access to information, technology, education and training
• A full and equal role for pastoral and agro-pastoralist women in public and economic life
• Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
• Development of links with the diaspora in the UK

PENHA has a team in the London Office and country chapters in the Horn of Africa region – in Ethiopia and Somaliland but works with partners in Sudan, Eritrea and Uganda as well as international partners outside the Horn of Africa.

In the UK, PENHA has a Board of Trustees, a number of research associates, volunteers and an international Advisory Group. PENHA Board of Trustees is looking for three trustees to join the London-based Board with experience in one of the following areas:

• A legal background, with financial and risk management experience;
• Knowledge of branding, marketing and fundraising, including the use of social media;
• Knowledge of the charity sector and employment law in the UK.

In addition, candidates should have an understanding of the context within which charities operate, ideally with some experience of the Horn of Africa region.

The post is unpaid and the time commitment is four to six meetings per year, with attendance at other occasional meetings and events as a representative of the charity.

The Board is responsible for submitting the Annual Report and Accounts to the Charity Commission and to Companies House. As a small charity, trustees contribute actively as part of a team in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets. PENHA is currently undergoing a new strategy development process and the candidate will help steer the organisation through the challenges ahead.

In addition, Board members are responsible for:

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its constitution/memorandum and articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• Protecting and managing the property of the organisation, and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
• Appointing the senior staff and  monitoring their performance

Application Instructions

Are you interested in the causes we stand for and in joining the PENHA Board of Trustees? Please send your CV and cover letter to our UK Office Manager before 10 August 2026. If deemed necessary, we may start actioning applications/interviewing before the closing date.

PENHA is a charity registered in England in 1992 with the Charity Commission Registration Number
1038957