Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Pushpa
Pushpa is a diaspora fund that mobilises monthly contributions from people with Bangladeshi roots to collectively vote on and fund sustainable development projects back home.
We address poverty and climate vulnerability in Bangladesh, where communities face frequent natural disasters, limited economic opportunities, and lack of access to sustainable livelihoods. Our projects focus on empowering underserved populations - particularly women, marginalised and rural communities by creating a route to financial independence and building resilience against environmental challenges.
We operate as a diaspora fund that connects people with Bangladeshi roots to meaningful impact back home. Our community contributes monthly to a collective fund, then votes democratically on which locally-led projects to support in Bangladesh. We prioritise transparency through public financial tracking and focus on sustainable, long-term solutions over traditional charity models. By funding grassroots initiatives in areas like agriculture, women's empowerment, and climate resilience, we create economic opportunities that help communities become self-sufficient rather than dependent on aid.
We're building something the South Asian diaspora has never seen before - a fund that actually works how it should. Most diaspora giving is broken with money disappearing and communities staying dependent, but we're fixing that through full transparency, democratic voting, and focusing on economic independence over charity handouts. This is just the beginning - by 2030 we're building a holding company that creates new businesses furthering development for both Bangladesh and diaspora communities, turning funding into sustainable enterprise. We need people who can help us scale without losing what makes us different - community building, content that doesn't sound like every other charity, operations that keep us transparent, partnerships that make sense. The diaspora has money, skills, and connections, and we're proving it can create real change when done right.
Ready to help build it?
Legal Advisor - Corporate Structure
Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)
About Pushpa Pushpa is a diaspora fund that invests in the economic growth of our people back home. We're currently a limited by guarantee company considering conversion to CIC status as we expand into remittance services and direct investment in Bangladeshi social enterprises.
This role will provide the legal foundation we need to make informed decisions about our corporate structure before proceeding with subsidiary creation or investment processes. The successful volunteer will help us understand the implications of each structure and choose the optimal path for our community-focused growth.
Current Scale:
123 community members across UK, North America and Europe £1,273 per month in contributions 2 projects launched, 3rd being voted on this week 132 lives improved First corporate partner secured Team grown to 8 incredible volunteers
Responsibilities;
Analyse corporate structure options: Compare CIC vs Ltd by guarantee implications for Pushpa's growth plans, including operational differences, compliance requirements, and strategic impact
Assess subsidiary structures: Evaluate how each parent entity type (CIC vs Ltd) affects our ability to own and control subsidiaries (Investment and remittence entity) whilst maintaining mission alignment.
Review investment frameworks: Analyse how each structure impacts external investment opportunities, shareholder arrangements, and funding mechanisms for subsidiaries
Evaluate asset lock implications: If CIC conversion recommended, assess how asset lock rules affect subsidiary ownership, profit distribution, and operational flexibility
Provide conversion guidance: Deliver step-by-step recommendations for optimal structure choice, including legal documentation requirements, regulatory filings, and implementation timeline
Design governance frameworks: Recommend governance structures that preserve community control whilst enabling commercial growth and external investment
Ensure regulatory compliance: Identify ongoing compliance obligations, reporting requirements, and regulatory considerations for chosen structure and subsidiary operations
Deliver implementation roadmap: Create practical action plan with timelines, legal documentation templates, and next steps for structure optimisation
Nice to have; International investment experience: Understanding of UK-Bangladesh cross-border investment structures and regulatory considerations
Emerging market legal knowledge: Experience with South Asian legal frameworks and diaspora investment structures (beneficial)
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week
Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)
3-5 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us
ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation working to transform the global food system by replacing 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040.
ProVeg engages with all relevant stakeholders to create a food system where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.
ProVeg has received the United Nations’ Momentum for Change Award and works closely with key UN food and environment agencies.
ProVeg creates global impact, with offices in 15 countries across five continents and more than 220 employees.
In the UK, our focus is on public sector food. Through our School Plates programme, we support major school caterers in their transition to healthier and more sustainable school menus. Since its launch in 2018, we’ve supported over 90 major school caterers, responsible for the food in over 8,000 schools, feeding over 1.3 million children every day, helping almost 50 million school meals become meat-free or plant-based. We plan to launch a sister programme in the healthcare sector, Hospital Plates, later this year.
Do you share our passion for transforming the food system? Are you impact driven and prefer to take a pragmatic approach? And do you have the skills and experience to help us? Then we’d love to hear from you!
Board Competencies
We’re looking for a new Board member who can demonstrate the following personal characteristics and behaviours:
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Respects and internalises the principles of accountability
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Makes informed judgement
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Listens actively with an open mind
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Participates in debate, providing relevant comments
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Speaks own mind candidly but respectfully
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Demonstrates initiative and insightfulness
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Thinks both logically and creatively
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Makes decisions independently
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Advises from own experience base
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Teams with others, forming collaborative relationships with other Board members and, where appropriate, providing guidance and advice to staff
Meetings
The Board aims to hold around four Board Meetings per year (generally 1.5 hours per meeting, although subject to change, as necessary). Meetings are usually held virtually, although we now aim to hold one in-person meeting per year, and it is expected that Board Members read the necessary board materials prior to each meeting.
Board positions carry no remuneration but travel and other out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. In return for your contribution, we offer the chance to work with and on behalf of people who are passionate in their commitment to our Mission and are constantly inspiring in their energy and creativity to achieve positive change.
The Role of the Board
In line with ProVeg International's Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles, the ProVeg C.I.C. Board is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of ProVeg in the UK, and monitoring delivery by the Director and their staff. The Board members of ProVeg C.I.C play a critical role in acting as a check and balance for the organisation, giving strategic direction, and acting as a sounding board for strategy and priorities as required. Board members can typically help an organisation with their skills and experience, their networks and/or by other means. The Board member will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team of ProVeg C.I.C. and work closely and harmoniously alongside the International Board to support joined up and unified global strategic delivery of objectives.
Duties
Board members are bound by a combination of statutory duties and organisational duties:
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Ensure that ProVeg C.I.C. complies with its governing document, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations
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Board members agree to contribute the necessary time to effectively govern ProVeg C.I.C. in the UK. (The total commitment tends to be around 4h per quarter, but is subject to change in line with necessary duties)
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Ensure that ProVeg C.I.C. pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
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Ensure ProVeg C.I.C. uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: ProVeg C.I.C must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are
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Contribute actively to the Board in giving firm strategic direction to ProVeg C.I.C, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
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Safeguard the good name and values of ProVeg C.I.C.
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Manage conflicts of interests
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Ensure the effective and efficient administration of ProVeg C.I.C.
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Ensure the financial stability of ProVeg C.I.C.
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Protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
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Monitor the performance of the Director, UK (and if required, appoint the role)
Board Member Person Specification
Essential:
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Educated to degree level or equivalent with relevant business, Community Interest Company, or Charity experience
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Commitment to and willingness to work in accordance with ProVeg International’s principles and values
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Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to effectively fulfil the role of Director
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An ability to have strategic vision in line with available market factors and resource
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A history of proven good, independent judgement
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Ability to think creatively
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Willingness to speak their mind professionally and respectfully
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Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels, such as Board, Senior Leadership Team, Staff and Volunteers
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Knowledge of good governance practice
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Solid understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Directors.
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Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
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Willingness to adhere to ProVeg International’s Director’s Code of Conduct
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Eligible under Company Law to be a Board Director (e.g. not barred from taking up such positions)
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Follows a plant-based lifestyle
Desirable:
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Senior Management/Executive experience
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Salaried or Board experience in a similar organisation
We specifically seek great board members with expertise or assets in one or more of the following areas:
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Fundraising and income generation
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Government/policy or B2B sector including food services
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Legal
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A network of influencers and ambassadors
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People & Culture
Diversity Statement
ProVeg is committed to equal employment, volunteering and governance opportunity for all, regardless of race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, refugee background, genetic information, disability, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, HIV status, gender identity, or gender expression. People of colour, women, people with disabilities, people from LGBTQIA+ communities, elderly people, refugees and people living with HIV are strongly encouraged to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.