Assistant finance officer volunteer roles in Birmingham
Role description
The Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest conservation body, needs additional trustees to broaden our reach.If you are keen to develop strategy and policy for creating, defending, and maintaining commons, greens, and paths, and to develop new approaches to make open spaces available to all, this role is for you.
Trustees may be co-opted by the present board, but are expected to offer themselves for election by the membership at the first available opportunity.
Working collectively, trustees have three main responsibilities. These are to:
1 set a direction for the society,
2 ensure the society’s plans are carried out appropriately,
3 ensure the society meets its legal responsibilities.
The duties of a trustee are to:
4 ensure the society complies with its articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations,
5 ensure that the society pursues its objects as defined in its articles of association,
6 ensure that the society directs its resources exclusively towards its objects,
7 in association with the general secretary, ensure that the organisation is adequately staffed, and that the staff and volunteers have appropriate support and resources to pursue organisational goals,
8 contribute actively to the board’s role of developing strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets,
9 safeguard the reputation and values of the society,
10 ensure effective and efficient administration and financial stability, 1
1 appoint the general secretary and monitor her performance,
12 act in the best interests of the society at all times.
Person specification
• Commitment to the society’s mission
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Strategic vision
• Objective and insightful judgement
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership).
The Open Spaces Society has been campaigning to protect rights to common land, village greens and public paths for more than 160 years
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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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 Charity Right
Charity Right is an international food charity - Registered Charity No. 1163944 in England & Wales
The Objects of the Charity are
- To relieve poverty worldwide by
- Providing food supplies, items, grants and services to individuals in need and other groups or organisations that are working to prevent and relieve hunger and poverty
- Providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient
- Undertaking and supporting research into factors that contribute to poverty and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these
- The provision of grants to enable young people to participate in healthy recreational activities that they could not otherwise afford
- The relief of financial need and suffering among victims of natural or other kinds of disaster in the form of money (or other means deemed suitable) for persons, bodies, organisations and/or countries affected.
Our work centres on breaking the cycle of poverty through sustainable school meals programmes. We currently provide daily school meals in displaced communities affected by extreme food insecurity. Our programme has helped save thousands of young peoples’ lives by freeing them to get an education, develop new skills into adulthood and lift themselves out of poverty.
With millions still going hungry worldwide, our vital work is needed now more than ever. We are at an exciting stage of growth and seek a trustee who can help us deepen our impact, strengthen our strategic direction, and ensure our programmes continue to transform lives for decades to come.
Our Commitment to Diverse Leadership
We strongly encourage applications from women and younger Muslim professionals who can bring fresh perspectives, sectoral expertise, and a long-term strategic vision to our board. We recognise that diverse leadership strengthens our governance, deepens our understanding of the communities we serve, and ensures our programmes remain relevant and impactful.
Age, gender and background diversity is not just important to us in principle, but it is essential to fulfilling our mission effectively. We actively seek to build a board that reflects the breadth of our supporter base and the communities we serve.
About the Role
We are seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our board of trustees. Our mission is to provide school meals to children in developing countries, with the goal of reducing hunger and improving educational outcomes.
As a trustee, you will work collaboratively with fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the charity. You will help ensure our activities align with our mission and values. The trustee will work closely with other members of the board and staff to develop and implement plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and maximise the positive impact of its work.
Key responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the board of trustees, providing governance and oversight to the organisation
- Uphold Charity Commission and legal responsibilities as a trustee and company director
- Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff to develop and implement strategies, plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and values
- Champion the charity to external stakeholders and partners
- Attend and actively participate in board meetings and events
- Ensure robust compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Act as an ambassador for the organisation, using your network to advance our mission
Person Specification
- Genuine passion for international development and our mission to end child hunger
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: [AK1] finance, programmes, marketing, fundraising, technology, and operations
- Strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to contribute constructively to board discussions
- Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team
- Willingness to dedicate time and energy to the charity’s success
- Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements for charitable organisations, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and commitment to collective decision-making
- Demonstrates highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour, avoiding conflicts of interest and prioritizing the charity's mission
- Engages respectfully and collaboratively with board members, staff and stakeholders, fostering an inclusive environment and modelling the charity's values
- Understanding of the cultural and economic contexts of the countries where the charity operates is a plus.
Organisation Structure
The board of trustees provides strategic oversight and governance to the Executive team, who manage day to day operations. Trustees work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, offering guidance while respecting operational independence
Commitment
Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are scheduled to accommodate trustee’s availability. Most meetings are done via video conferencing, and on occasion we meet in person at a suitable location. Individual commitments are agreed between each trustee and the Chair of the board.
Commitment
- Board meeting – quarterly
- 2-hour meetings with reports to read one week in advance
- Telephone meetings – as required
- 30-minute conference calls occasionally required in between board meetings
- Staff away day – once yearly
- A day of in-person workshops, planning and Q&A with staff
- Events – as required
- Occasional participation in promotional events – usually early evening
- Project groups – as required
- Occasional working alongside staff to complete projects – as fits expertise and diaries
Application Process
If you would like to formally apply for the role, please include a letter of application along with your current CV.
In your letter, please outline:
- Your motivation for applying and connection to our mission
- Your relevant experience, expertise, or perspective that you would bring to the board
- What you hope to contribute to Charity Right and gain from the trusteeship
- Your commitment to championing diversity and inclusive leadership
- Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest
We are happy to discuss the role in more detail and answer any questions you may have about the board service.
Charity Right is an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to building a diverse board and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in charity governance.
We are on a mission to end child hunger - one school meal at a time. Hunger doesn’t just mean an empty stomach. It keeps children out of school.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.