Trustee passionate about the creative arts jobs

At Makani, we are passionate about working with women seeking sanctuary to overcome trauma, fight for rights, and to transform lives and the world around us. Our vision is a world of freedom, equality and dignity for all refugee women and girls. 

WHAT WE DO

We work in Lebanon with Syrian and Palestinian women, and in the UK with women from all over the world. 

Our arts projects include theatre and craft therapy, filmmaking and feminist embroidery. We also facilitate access to training, education and income generation opportunities, and run workshops on parenting support and on women’s rights in a context of rights for all. 

Our flagship Oshana project provides refugee women in Lebanon with a dignified income, a supportive community, and a creative outlet for trauma through embroidery and crochet - and has built a reputation for beautiful design and impeccable craftsmanship. 

We are a young but ambitious organisation that is transforming the lives of hundreds of refugee women and their families in Lebanon, and dozens in the UK. We have rapidly grown over the past three years, with an accompanying increase in income. 

WHO WE ARE

Makani was founded in 2022 and officially registered as a charity in June 2024. One of our co-founders has her own lived experience of displacement; both have worked for many years supporting women who have been forced to leave their homes. 

We now have two staff in the UK and four in Lebanon. We work from home with occasional meetings in London for UK-based staff. As Finance and Administration Manager, you will join us as our seventh staff member, a key member of the team.

As a charity with a strong emphasis on mental health, we foster a supportive and inclusive working environment. We are friendly and flexible. Our team members enjoy working with Makani because we care about each other and are passionate about what we do.

Makani means ‘my place’ in Arabic. We gave this name to our charity as we want to create a space which women who have been forced to leave their homes, or who have felt dispossessed by society, can call their own. Could Makani be your place too?

THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Finance and Administration Manager to lead on developing and maintaining our financial and organisational systems, enabling Makani to increase our impact on the lives of refugee women. 

Position: Finance and Administration Manager

Contract type: Permanent - but also open to applications on a consultant basis

Responsible to: Director of Operations

Location: Home-based, with occasional meetings in London (transport costs covered)

Hours: 20 hours per week, core hours to be agreed upon appointment, flexitime-friendly

Salary: £35,000 per annum pro rata (£20,000 for the 20 hour week)

Annual leave and benefits:

28 days annual leave pro rata (not including bank holidays)

Company pension with matched contributions of at least 3% after probation passed.

KEY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance

• Work with the Executive team to set and monitor annual budgets

• Record all financial transactions using accounting software (Xero)

• Record and track multiple restricted and unrestricted grants from a range of donors

• Prepare and present quarterly management accounts for the Board

• Prepare end-of-year accounts 

• Oversee payroll and ensure timely invoice payments

• Ensure the charity complies with the financial requirements of the Charity Commission, HMRC and other bodies

• Develop and maintain financial procedures and internal controls

• Liaise with external accountants or auditors for the preparation of annual accounts and statutory reporting

• Monitor cash flow and support the Director of Operations in maintaining financial sustainability

• Work with colleagues to prepare budgets and financial reports for funders

• Contribute to development of funding bids, with Executive Team.
   

Administration & HR

• Support the board and senior staff to maintain and update charity policies (safeguarding, finance, HR, etc.)

• Support the board to develop HR processes to ensure legal compliance 

• Organise and minute quarterly trustee meetings

• Book travel and support with other logistics as needed

• Other administrative tasks as relevant and appropriate
   

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

You will have:

• Proven experience in charity financial management, including restricted/unrestricted funding

• Familiarity with or willingness to learn Xero accounting software

• Familiarity with UK charity accounting and reporting standards

• Strong organisational and administrative skills

• Ability to work independently and remotely and to communicate well in a small team

• Understanding of good HR policies and practice for small charities 

• Understanding of or willingness to learn about other key areas of compliance such as data protection 

• Commitment to Makani’s mission and our feminist and anti-racist values

And it's desirable but not essential that you have:

• Experience of preparing funding bids and financial reporting to funders 

• Experience of working in a charity with some overseas operations

TO APPLY

To apply, click the CharityJob Apply button below.

You’ll be asked to submit a CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role.

• CV - no more than two sides A4.
• Cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role - no more than two sides A4.

First-round interviews will take place in the week commencing 29 September; final interviews may take place after that if required.

Closing date: 18:00 on 19 September 2025

Makani is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.