Volunteer roles for the International Development sector
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Kaleidoscope Trust is a UK-based international charity working for a future where LGBTI+ people everywhere can live free, safe and equal lives. For more than 13 years, we have worked in partnership with governments, activists and community organisations to provide funding, capacity building, research and advocacy support to grassroots movements across the Commonwealth and beyond. In the UK, we work across politics, diplomacy and civil society to ensure LGBTI+ rights remain a central part of the UK’s foreign policy and are championed within international institutions.
We are operating at a defining moment for global LGBTI+ rights. Across many countries, hard-won freedoms are being challenged by increasingly organised anti-rights movements, shrinking civic space and growing political hostility. Yet this period also demands ambition, resilience and solidarity. Having navigated a period of significant challenge, Kaleidoscope Trust has emerged with renewed strategic focus, strengthened partnerships and a clear commitment to supporting LGBTI+ organisations on the frontlines of change.
This next chapter includes the work of our Global LGBTI+ Rights Commission, bringing together research, advocacy and convening power to better understand and respond to the global rollback of rights. We continue to believe progress is possible when communities, governments and civil society work together – and we are looking for a Chair who shares that belief and can help lead Kaleidoscope Trust through this critical period.
We are now looking for a new Chair to lead our Board at this pivotal moment. Our Chair is responsible for ensuring that the board operates effectively and oversees a clear strategic direction for the charity, providing ambassadorial leadership as needed and constructive, supportive partnership with our CEO, Alex Farrow and our Senior Leadership Team. But critically, they will be a calm voice and fierce advocate as we navigate this rapidly shifting landscape.
We’re looking for someone familiar navigating complex human rights systems with the ability to foster high performing governance that enables our team to build connections and to recalibrate for best impact. The successful person will have prior Chair or non-executive experience, or at a minimum sustained Director-level board exposure. They will be an enabling, facilitative leader able to foster robust debate and decision-making, they will be comfortable advocating for the rights of LGBTI+ people and supporting our charity to remain financially sustainable and adaptive to evolving risk.
It’s important to us that as a Board, we represent the people that we are working to support. We know that diverse boards are the most effective, they can think creatively and hold each other to account, therefore we are particularly looking for applications from trans people, women, People of the Global Majority, people without a degree, working class people and people of faith.
Download the candidate pack for the full role profile and assessment process, and for a conversation about the opportunity, please contact Tanya Stevens at our search partner All Leaders.
This is a voluntary, hybrid position requiring attendance at several board meetings per year at Kaleidoscope’s London offices, several online sub-committee meetings, with wider remote advisory support totalling 10-15 days per year. The Chair commits to a three year term, which is once renewable. Travel expenses for interviews and board commitments will be covered as required. Discussions regarding access needs are welcome.
The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday, 23 June.
Registered Charity 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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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
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.