Governance officer volunteer volunteer roles in Manchester

Our partner is a small faith-based organisation supporting indigenous communities in Central America through integrated health, education and community care programmes.

The organisation has grown around a committed local team and is now reviewing how its finance and operations functions should be structured for the next stage of development. It currently has a Finance Manager who also holds some operational responsibilities.

The Executive Director is seeking support from an experienced finance professional to offer an external perspective on how finance and operations responsibilities could be organised in a way that protects financial controls, supports staff development, and enables the Executive Director to focus more time on fundraising and organisational leadership.

Key areas of support

• Review current finance and operations responsibilities, including how tasks are currently split across finance, administration, purchasing, inventory and related operational processes.
• Consider possible organisational structure options for the finance and operations functions, including whether the Finance Manager’s role could evolve into a more strategic finance and systems position, and whether a separate operations-focused role may be needed to take on non-finance operational responsibilities.
• Review how additional accounting or finance responsibilities could be delegated safely within the team, identifying the internal controls, reporting lines and role clarity needed under different structure options.
• Provide practical recommendations on structure, controls, staffing options and job description content where useful.

Volunteer Profile

This assignment would suit a senior finance professional with experience in:

• Small or growing non-profits, finance operations, internal controls and organisational structure.
• Managing finance teams and supporting operational change
• Working with organisations in Latin America would be helpful, and Spanish language skills would be beneficial, but are not essential.

The ideal volunteer will bring a practical, sensitive and collaborative approach, with the ability to support a small leadership team to think clearly through structure, controls and capacity before making changes.

Time commitment
The assignment can be delivered entirely remotely. The anticipated commitment is up to 15 hours in total, ideally over a period of approximately 4–6 weeks, with the hope that the bulk of the work can be completed in July.

For more than a century, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood beside the RAF Family;
through war and peace, hardship and change. From the first day in uniform to the final
years of life, we have been a constant source of emotional, practical and financial support.
Today, our work reaches serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved in more
than 30 countries.
As the demands on the RAF Family grow in complexity and urgency, so too must the resilience
of the charity that serves them. Our ability to provide life-changing support, whether keeping a
family in their home, helping veterans navigate injury or isolation, or walking beside the
bereaved, relies on strong, stable and sustainable income streams. Therefore, we are seeking a
Trustee with significant fundraising expertise to help shape and strengthen our long-term
financial future. The successful candidate will join our diverse and highly skilled Board and
Fundraising, Communications and Engagement Committee to:
• play a key strategic role in supporting our fundraising vision and strategy
• provide strategic input into fundraising plans and campaigns
• support and advise on income generation, donor engagement and partnerships
The full role description can be found on our website here. The role is voluntary, however
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are paid. We will provide the successful candidate with a
bespoke induction programme and relevant training / development.
Interested?
We would love to hear from you if you have the experience and passion we are seeking.
Please send an up-to-date CV and covering email / letter outlining your background, skills,
experience and interest in the role. Email address and contact details can be found on our website. If you have any questions about the role or would like to have an informal
discussion prior to applying, please contact Lisa (information on website).
We welcome applications from anyone who has the experience we are seeking, irrespective of
background, community, industry or protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable
adjustments as part of your application process, please let us know. You must be eligible to be
a charity trustee under UK law to be considered for this role. We operate safer selection
practices; this will involve the successful candidate being required to have a Disclosure and
Barring Service check.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and this position will remain open until we
have found our ideal candidate. No agencies please.

Are you ready to use your leadership, wisdom, and faith to make a tangible, life-changing impact across the UK? Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is embarking on an exciting new chapter as the nation’s largest specialist community-based debt help provider, and we are looking for dedicated volunteer Trustees to help guide our mission. For over 30 years, CAP has partnered with local churches to release thousands from the crushing chains of debt and poverty, restoring hope, financial resilience, and introducing people to the transformational love of Jesus. As a vital member of our Board, you will provide the strategic direction and prayerful governance needed to steer an agile, innovative £15m organization—vanguarding AI-driven solutions and cutting-edge platforms—while navigating a challenging economic landscape. If you are an active Christian with senior-level experience in fundraising, financial management, or strategic partnerships, this is your invitation to join a thoughtful, bold, and joyful team united to see transformed lives, thriving churches, and an ultimate end to UK poverty

I am working on behalf of my Client BeFriend Cows, who are a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that promotes compassion toward animals. They are seeking a financially-minded leader to join their board and guide their organization's financial health as they grow. This role combines financial stewardship with strategic thinking, helping ensure they have the resources and stability to expand their impact for animals, families, and communities worldwide.

Current status: This is a volunteer role. As they scale, they envision transitioning board leadership into compensated positions.

Your Core Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Present clear, accurate financial updates to the full board

• Guide the annual budget process and monitor organizational spending

• Lead audit preparations and ensure strong financial controls

• Oversee how we manage reserves and any investment activities

• Offer strategic input on major financial decisions

Board Governance

• Participate in evaluating and supporting our Executive Director

• Help navigate complex legal or ethical questions facing the organization

• Ensure we remain aligned with our charitable mission and legal obligations

• Act as an ambassador, opening doors to partnerships and visibility

• Contribute to fundraising conversations and donor relationship building

• Provide perspective on organizational strategy and long-term direction

Accounting for International Development is seeking an experienced charity finance professional to support a UK-registered charity working internationally to strengthen responsible, low-impact small-scale fisheries.

The organisation works with coastal communities, fishery stakeholders and market actors to improve fisheries practices, support responsible sourcing, strengthen policy engagement and contribute to better livelihoods and food security.

They are now looking for a remote volunteer to review and strengthen their finance systems, reporting routines and use of Xero. Some finance processes, reporting and budget monitoring are currently managed outside the system, and they would value an experienced finance professional who can help them improve consistency, accuracy and the usefulness of financial information provided to senior management and Trustees.

This is not a day-to-day finance role. The assignment is intended as an independent review and strengthening exercise, working with the Managing Director, Finance Manager and selected Trustees to identify practical improvements and develop a realistic action plan.

Key areas of support may include:

• Reviewing current finance processes, month-end routines and reporting timelines.
• Reviewing how Xero is currently being used, including any processes or reporting managed outside the system.
• Supporting improvements to monthly management accounts and Board reporting.
• Reviewing internal controls, financial procedures and consistency of finance processes.
• Identifying key financial risks, control gaps or areas where processes could be strengthened.
• Advising on forecasting, budget monitoring and how project managers provide information to the finance team.
• Supporting the Finance Manager to strengthen monthly reporting and budget versus actual monitoring.
• Providing practical suggestions, templates or examples where helpful.
• Helping develop a clear, proportionate action plan with priorities and timelines.

We are looking for someone with:

• Senior charity finance experience.
• Strong financial management, management accounts and Board reporting experience.
• Experience reviewing or improving finance systems, processes, controls and reporting routines.
• Good working knowledge of Xero.
• Understanding of UK charity finance, trustee reporting and governance expectations.
• Experience with international charities or organisations operating across multiple countries would be helpful.
• A practical, diplomatic and collaborative approach.

The assignment is expected to involve up to 75 hours of remote support over around 3 to 4 months. The organisation expects a minimum commitment of around 4 hours per week, with the exact schedule and workplan to be agreed between the volunteer and the organisation.

This would be a good opportunity for a senior charity finance professional who enjoys helping organisations strengthen their systems, reporting and governance in a practical and supportive way.

The Lifescape Project is a quickly growing UK-registered charity whose mission is to protect and restore wild, natural landscapes. We use the skills and expertise of our multi-disciplinary team (spanning science, law, economics, technology and culture) to develop projects that pursue this mission.

We use the approach of combining disciplines to design and deliver our work because the biodiversity crisis is driven and impacted by social, economic, legal and other complex factors. It is increasingly recognised that the urgent transformative change needed for a sustainable future on our planet is most effectively achieved through this approach. The Lifescape Project has a unique ability to apply these diverse areas of expertise to our mission whilst maintaining the agility of a smaller organisation in delivering our work.

Working in pursuit of our 2020-2026 strategy, the Lifescape Project has seen rapid growth in its impact, team and revenue since commencing work in 2020. Our annual revenue has increased from £265,000 in FY 2020/2021 to £1.3m in FY 2025/2026, with further growth expected in the current FY. Our team has grown from just one to a team which will number 23 at the time of the new trustees joining.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Lifescape Project ("Lifescape") achieves its purpose. Trustees oversee the management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that Lifescape has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision: We want to live in a world rich in wild landscapes, providing a sustainable future for life on earth. 

Just as importantly, trustees support and challenge the executive team to enable Lifescape to grow and thrive, to achieve our mission of catalysing the creation, restoration and protection of wild landscapes by through building and employing our expertise in science, technology, law, economics, and culture. 

Duties include: 

• Support and provide advice on Lifescape’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation. 

• Oversee Lifescape’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

• Review and approve Lifescape’s financial statements. 

• Keep abreast of changes in Lifescape's operating environment, and ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled effectively. 

• Provide support and challenge to Lifescape’s CEO . 

• Contribute to regular reviews of Lifescape's own governance. Attend Board meetings, prepared to contribute to discussions. 

• Apply your expertise and knowledge and make use of your professional networks to contribute to the promotion of Lifescape's objects and aims, and to enhance the charity’s reputation.. 

As a small charity, there are times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may include assisting with recruitment, developing internal policies, ad-hoc reviews of strategic decisions or providing guidance to the executive team on specific subject areas within your expertise.

What we are looking for 

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role. 

Prior experience of working or volunteering for, or acting as trustee of, an NGO would be an advantage but is not required. We will provide a full induction and training.

For this round of trustee recruitment, we welcome interest from all candidates who believe they have something to offer. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Planning and delivering conservation or rewilding programmes in Europe, or in Eastern or Southern Africa; or having relevant professional networks in those geographies. 

• Environmental economics / natural capital accounting. 

• Major donor or grant fundraising for charities.

• Strategic communications.

Personal skills and qualities 

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member. 

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

• A strong personal commitment to our mission to protect and restore wild landscapes globally.

• A strong personal commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

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

We are happy to consider trustees based in any geographic location.

We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, and are keen to broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. Prior experience of serving on a board is not required, and you don't need to meet every single requirement listed in order to apply. 

Our top priority is finding someone who is as passionate about Lifescape's mission and vision as we are and has time to commit to it 

Terms of appointment 

Terms of office 

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, subject to renewal at a designated board meeting. 

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

Time commitment 

• Trustees attend quarterly board meetings which last approximately two hours. These are usually scheduled towards the end of the UK working day (e.g. 5pm – 7pm) but timings can be varied if required.

• Board meetings are usually held virtually, with one in-person meeting a year (see below).

• An agenda and pack of supporting materials will be circulated in advance of the meeting. We would normally recommend allowing at least an hour to read these and prepare for the meeting.

• In addition, we may call ad hoc meetings of the board as needed, e.g. to discuss strategy or where an urgent board approval is required.

• Lifescape is a remote organisation and relies on periodic in-person meetings to bring team members together. The trustees are asked to attend an annual offsite, which may be held in the UK or abroad. Travel, accommodation and meals are paid for and organised by Lifescape. The length of the annual offsite varies depending on location but is usually four days, requiring trustees to spend at least three nights away from home. 

Committee membership

• The board delegates certain functions to committees. We currently have a Governance Committee and a Finance & HR Committee. There may be new committees in future. These committees meet approximately once a month, and the timing of the meetings is flexible to suit the availability of participants.

• If you would like to see the Terms of Reference for either committee, then please let us know. We would be delighted if new trustees were keen to get involved in our committee work. 

How to apply 

To apply, please send your CV (max two pages) and a statement of no more than 500 words explaining your interest in and suitability for the role.

Applications close at the end of 31st July 2026, although we may close applications earlier if we receive a sufficient number of qualified candidates before this date. 

There will be at least one interview for candidates who pass the first stage of review. 

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact us. If you require any information in a different format, please let us know. 

Job description

As Clinical Lead, you will provide professional oversight, guidance, and liaison for all cultural and emotional therapy initiatives within the organisation. You will work closely with membership, engagement, and programme teams. This role blends strategic leadership, operational management, and community-facing support to build safe, transformative, and accessible therapy systems.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Professional qualification and current registration in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or a closely related discipline (e.g. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience providing trauma-informed therapeutic support, with strong understanding of how trauma, culture, identity, and systemic factors affect emotional wellbeing
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, risk management, and ethical practice within clinical, voluntary, and community-based settings
• Working understanding of GDPR and data protection principles, particularly relating to confidential health and safeguarding information
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing reflective practice to clinical practitioners, facilitators, or volunteers (including non-clinical staff delivering emotional support)
• Ability to assess risk, respond calmly to complex or sensitive situations, and provide clear, proportionate clinical guidance
• Strong organisational skills, balancing strategic oversight with operational input in a volunteer or resource-limited environment
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain clinical concepts to non-clinical audiences and work collaboratively across teams
• High levels of professional integrity, emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and commitment to inclusive, ethical care

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Provide strategic and hands-on clinical oversight to ensure the effective delivery of culturally informed emotional and therapeutic services. Ensure that programmes are safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of members.
• Oversee the planning, delivery, and evaluation of emotional wellbeing and therapeutic services, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and aligned with the organisation’s mission and values. This includes supporting programme design, session structures, referral pathways, and evaluation frameworks to promote positive member outcomes.
• Liaise closely with therapists, facilitators, programme leads, and safeguarding officers to ensure consistent alignment with clinical governance, ethical frameworks, safeguarding policies, and professional standards. Provide expert consultation on complex considerations.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training, and supervision of therapy facilitators and volunteers. Advising on role suitability, contributing to training content, offering reflective supervision, and promoting best practice in boundaries, self-care, and ethical decision-making.
• Review and approve therapy protocols, session guidelines, risk assessments, and safeguarding procedures, ensuring they are clinically sound, culturally sensitive, and proportionate to the needs and risks of the service users. Ensure that all therapeutic activity complies with relevant professional regulatory standards, safeguarding legislation, and data protection requirements, including GDPR.
• Monitor member wellbeing outcomes, qualitative feedback, and service impact data to inform continuous improvement, learning, and programme development. This includes identifying trends, risks, or unmet needs and advising on appropriate service adaptations.
• As the primary clinical point of contact, the role holder will provide professional oversight for complex cases, escalations, or member concerns that require clinical judgement, risk management, or safeguarding intervention, working collaboratively with internal teams and external professionals where required.