Global programme funding officer volunteer roles in Newcastle
How's your job search on our site?
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!
Treasurer Roles & Responsibilities
Refugee Biriyani & Bananas is seeking a Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s financial health. The Treasurer plays a key governance role, strengthening financial literacy at Board level and supporting sustainable growth. The Board is responsible for governance and strategy and does not manage day-to-day operations.
Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB) is a growing charity registered with the Charity Commission (Charity No. 1189561). For the financial year ending 31 March 2025, RBB reported a total income of £423,041 and total expenditure of £373,007. As a charity with income above £250,000, we prepare annual accounts in accordance with the Charities SORP and undergo independent examination.
As our current treasurer prepares to step down, we are expanding our Board of Trustees to support the growth and future plans of our ambitious small charity. Board meetings take place every 12 weeks via video call, with opportunities for in-person gatherings throughout the year. Additional meetings may occasionally be required, either more frequently, in smaller groups, or one-to-one, depending on specific needs or exceptional circumstances.
-
Responsible to: Chair, Refugee Biryani & Bananas
-
Purpose: To oversee the management and reporting of charity finances.
-
Hours: Approximately six to eight hours a month.
Remuneration: This is a voluntary, unpaid Trustee role. Reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with our volunteer policy.
Role Summary
The Treasurer will work closely with our team members including volunteers, other Trustees and with the CEO, advising on all financial matters including regulatory compliance. The Treasurer will be expected to attend Board meetings which last approximately an hour and a half every twelve weeks. The Treasurer will:
-
Actively participate as a key member of the Board of Trustees.
-
Act as an ambassador for Refugee Biryani & Bananas
-
Oversee and analyse the development of the annual budget and cash flow forecasts, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and sustainability.
-
Support with fundraising and financial strategic planning
-
Advise on all financial matters, including regulatory compliance.
-
Oversee the development and observation of financial policies
-
Advise the board on fund management and ensure an appropriate reserves policy
-
Advise fellow Trustees on a regular basis of the financial status of the charity and where necessary recommend action.
-
Oversee and administer financial processes including Gift Aid claims and payroll, ensuring appropriate financial controls, transparency and board oversight are maintained. (There is currently only one person on payroll.)
-
Work collaboratively with the CEO and Chair to ensure appropriate financial segregation of duties within the constraints of a small charity.
-
Support the Board in monitoring financial risk, reserves policy and international financial compliance.
-
Ensure appropriate internal financial controls are in place and regularly reviewed.
-
Work with professional advisors including any contracted accountants
-
Review financial transactions on a monthly basis via digital accounting software, Xero
-
Arrange the compilation and agreement of Refugee Biryani & Bananas’ annual report
-
Lead Trustee liaison with the independent examiner and oversee the preparation and Board approval of the annual accounts and report.
The Treasurer will play a key role in strengthening financial sustainability as RBB continues to grow its international programmes and funding base.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will have innovative ideas and sound financial knowledge. All Trustees are expected to assist Refugee Biryani & Bananas to secure a sustainable and diverse funding base for the organisation.
Essential
-
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
-
Support for the values and mission of Refugee Biriyani & Bananas
-
Familiarity with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), or willingness to develop this knowledge.
-
Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information
Desirable
-
A qualified accountant (formal qualification preferred) with financial and commercial awareness, experienced in managing finances, payroll, and the needs of smaller organisations.
-
An understanding of the voluntary sector and previous experience as a Trustee or Treasurer.
-
Good communication and competent IT skills
-
Extensive experience in senior strategic management and leadership, combined with strong analytical and evaluation skills.
About Refugee Biryani & Bananas
Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB) began as a grassroots movement in 2015, in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. What started as a group of friends distributing 2,500 portions of biriyani and bananas in the unofficial camp for displaced people in Dunkirk, Northern France, has grown into a community-driven humanitarian organisation. Initially working under the umbrella of another organisation, RBB became independent to better address gaps in aid and advocacy for displaced people worldwide.
What We Do
RBB supports people facing displacement, war, and inequality, tailoring actions to the needs of each situation. From food distributions to medical support and human rights advocacy, our work is versatile and responsive. We have provided aid in refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, squats, and other unstable settlements along migratory pathways, including:
-
France: Calais, Dunkirk & Paris
-
Greece: Idomeni, Thessaloniki, Athens, Lavrio, Samos & Chios (our main base)
-
Northern Iraq: Duhok
-
Serbia: Belgrade Barracks
-
Bosnia & Herzegovina - Croatia Border: Vucjak Camp
-
Turkey: Istanbul
-
Poland, Belarus & Lithuania Border
-
Ukraine Border (Poland and Ukraine sides)
-
Palestine: Gaza
-
Egypt: Cairo
Our Approach
RBB is a mobile grassroots organisation, designed to respond rapidly and flexibly to emerging crises. Our main base of operations is on Chios Island, Greece, where we provide ongoing support to people who are displaced.
Since October 2023, we have also established community-led initiatives to support people affected by the war in Gaza, Palestine, as well as Sudanese and other displaced communities in Cairo, Egypt.
Beyond emergency relief, we remain committed to ongoing support through volunteers, translation services, medical care, aid, and advocacy until either local capacity builds or the situation changes. In addition, our Community Humanitarian Leaders Programme (CHLP) plays a vital role in this approach by strengthening the leadership of people who are displaced by building on their existing skills, networks and lived experience in humanitarian efforts.
Our field team comprises 90% individuals from refugee and asylum-seeking communities, representing Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Gambia, Ethiopia, Palestine, and Yemen. This diverse team is led by our founder and CEO, Ruhi Akhtar, alongside field coordinators / project managers.
We prioritise dignity and equity, involving displaced individuals in decision-making and collaboration. RBB's direct aid includes food, water, shelter, medical supplies, clothing, hygiene packs, and season-specific items like sunscreen or firewood. Needs assessments and communication with affected communities guide our actions, ensuring targeted, person-centered care.
Advocacy & Awareness
RBB amplifies the voices of displaced people by sharing their stories and raising awareness about often-overlooked realities. Through storytelling and advocacy, we aim to challenge injustice and inspire action.
We are a safe space for all people and welcome those who are new to and currently underrepresented on Charity Boards, in particular members who consider themselves to have a disability and those in the global majority. Lived experience of migration or asylum or a commitment to this work is welcomed.
Interested applicants should send a CV with full contact details and a brief covering letter to address your motivation for the role, what specific skills and expertise you would bring and how you meet the competencies listed in the role description.
Female-led grassroots organisation delivering humanitarian aid and advocacy with displaced communities through a community-led approach.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Title: Treasurer of the Board of Trustees
Salary: Unpaid & Voluntary (Reasonable expenses related to the role will be reimbursed in accordance with the charity's expenses policy).
Time commitment: Approx. 1.5 – 2 days per month.
Terms of Office: Three years with possibility to extend by another three years. Applicants must be eligible to serve as Trustees of a UK-based Charity.
Location: Flexible – however we require that all trustees would be able to attend at least one ‘in person’ meeting in London each year.
Unlimit Health
Unlimit Health is an international organisation working to end parasitic disease. We work closely with affected countries, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our purpose is to support people to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease.
Our vision is for resilient systems that sustain good health, so everyone everywhere can reach their full potential. We achieve this by working across multiple sectors in numerous countries to deliver effective and robust health programmes that have a lasting impact.
We were founded in 2002 with a £20m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and started life as a research group, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, within Imperial College London. Consistently ranked globally as one of the most cost-effective nonprofit initiatives, we have received significant funding since our inception including from the UK Department of International Development (DFID), USAID and philanthropic investors.
What we do
Our work includes:
- Evidence-based disease elimination support
- Cross-sectoral health systems strengthening
- Building collaborative partnerships
Our main area of focus is the elimination of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (intestinal worms). Endemic infections of these parasitic worms are found in some of the world’s most marginalised communities, and they can have a hugely detrimental effect on individuals, including:
- Reduced productivity
- Internal organ damage
- Impaired child development
- Reduced school attendance
- Increased risk of HIV in women
- Infertility
The Role
Unlimit Health is looking for a Treasurer of the Board of Trustees to be responsible for: leadership and governance, strategic planning and implementation, sustainability, compliance & financial oversight and advocacy, stakeholder engagement and fundraising.
This role requires a candidate with demonstratable experience in senior financial leadership, ideally as a trustee, CFO, or finance director within a charity, international development organisation, or public health institution. It is key that the successful candidate has a strong understanding of UK charity finance, governance and regulatory frameworks, as well as internationally.
Applicants must be eligible to serve as trustees of a UK-based charity (see Charity Commission).
Time commitment
Board meetings are held four times a year during the working day. We welcome applications from people based outside the UK who can join meetings online but require that all trustees would be able to attend at least one ‘in person’ meeting in London each year. Unlimit Health is committed to creating a diverse board and will work to facilitate specific needs of individuals if required. The time commitment is approx. 1.5 – 2 days per month.
Diversity Statement
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups to better reflect our mission and work to improve health equity. Research has shown that women and people from marginalised groups are less likely to apply for a role if they do not meet 100% of the job criteria. Please consider applying even if you do not fully meet our essential criteria. We are happy to schedule an informal chat to discuss the role further prior to submitting an application.
Unlimit Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic background. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member is valued, respected, and has equal opportunities to thrive.
Closing date: 29 April 2026.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our online applicant portal to complete your application for this position.
No agencies please.
We are looking for 3 trustees. One from the global majority, one with an interest in the management of risk and one with skills in marketing, communications or PR.
Background to Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust
Mosaic’s vision is to build a proud, strong and cohesive LGBT+ community that is safe from abuse, free from prejudice, healthy and making a positive contribution to society. Over more than 25 years, we have supported, educated and inspired thousands of young persons.
We have two distinct services: for 12 – 18 year olds and for 18 – 25 year olds.
Services for 12 – 18 year olds
- weekly youth group (Wednesday evening or Sunday night but you come to only one): 20 -25 young people, in our dedicated facility in Camden. Adult mentors available to discuss issues, lots of games and chat and music and then settle down to that week's workshop. Coined by our members as ‘Mosaic’, the Youth Club has been regularly referred to as being ‘home’ or ‘like family.’ We are supported by a dedicated team of LGBT+ volunteer staff role models who run workshops and forums on a range of matters from sexual health to Queer literature.
- schools mentoring: for anyone in London, usually arranged via school, our mentor goes into school. Aimed at those who cannot make youth group
- culture club: around 6 times every month there is something we are doing cultural, be it going to a show, or a gallery or a museum. We raise the funds so these trips are free and often there is a meal before or after
- book club, film club, homework club, yoga club: regular sessions where the name is self explanatory
- drama therapy: team from RADA running a series of sessions a few times a year
- counselling: we have a group of fully qualified psychotherapists offering one on one, group and family therapy
- big events:Homoween, Garden Party, Pride Prom, Clothes swap - big events which we advertise widely and attract up to 100 people to
- summer camp and winter retreat: residentials, the first focused on outdoor activity and the second focused on calmer activities
- Discord group: around 200 members in our moderated Discord space
Services for 18 – 25 year olds
- month young adults group: similar format to youth group but less often so that they organise their own activities too
- Mosaic Works: CV, and interview advice, mentored paid work experience. This is a huge focus for this group
- outdoor group: meet every few weeks to go kayaking, hiking, cycling etc
- counselling: same as for youth group
- culture club: a monthly trip out, usually to theatre
- summer residential: usually at Pride Youth Games
What we are looking for
● A trustee from the Global Majority
● A trustee with an interest in the management of risk
● A Trustee with skills in marketing, communications or PR
We have spent several years developing a firm foundation, with strong finances and clear policies. We now want to grow our services and programmes even more.
We are a small charity. We employ full time our Executive Director, Services Manager and Business Development Manager. We have a part time Marketing Officer. We also have a great group of volunteers who dedicate time to the Youth Clubs and the other activities. Our Trustees should be very keen to be involved. We want you to be passionate about improving the lives of LGBT+ young persons. We also want you to be able to commit time to getting involved in our Trustee Board, picking up some of the tasks from there and working on them between meetings. We would also expect you to want to attend the Youth Club or some of the special events we run at least a few times a year.
How to apply
You will find the job descriptions and person specifications for each role below. To apply please send a CV along with a short email on why you wish to be a Trustee at Mosaic. Please explain why you think you are a good fit if your CV doesn’t make it clear. If you would like an informal chat before deciding whether to apply please drop Ken a note and he will be happy to set this up.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 19th April however we will process applications as they arrive so please send us your application as soon as you are ready.
All of our roles have an initial common job description
As a member of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust board (the “Board”) you help provide overall direction and leadership for the organisation’s strategy, with accountability for the organisation: sound management; financial health and quality of programme delivery.
General responsibilities (common to all Trustees)
In carrying out the collective responsibilities of the Board, individual Trustees should:
●Be an active participant, making relevant skills, experience and knowledge available to the organisation. This includes sitting on the Board and one of the Board subcommittees, occasionally attending events we are holding, and using personal networks to develop connections for the organisation
●Regularly attend Board meetings and prepare fully for those meetings including reading papers in advance, identifying key issues for discussion and providing advice and guidance on areas of expertise. Board meetings are held 5 times a year.
●Regularly attend the meetings of the subcommittee of which you are a member and prepare fully for those meetings including reading papers in advance, identifying key issues for discussion and providing advice and guidance on areas of expertise. Committee meetings are held 5 times a year.
●Have prior knowledge of, or take time to familiarise themselves with, best practices of Charity governance and operations including financial management. (We will provide guidance and training on this)
●Develop and maintain a sound and up-to-date knowledge of the organisation’s activities and any wider issues that affect its work
●Actively contribute towards the effectiveness of the Trustee Board, engaging in discussion, debate and voting in a considered and constructive way, participating in induction and training as required, and sharing ideas for how the Board can be improved
●Act in the best interests of Mosaic, including contributing to fundraising efforts, e.g. through personal contributions, introductions to potential supports and attending fundraising events
●Undertake an annual performance self-assessment, which will be reviewed in discussion with the Chair and Vice Chair.
●Act as brand ambassador when talking to other professionals raising profile and need for LGBT+ young persons’ services and placing Mosaic as a key provider of such services.
Specific to these jobs:
A trustee from the global majority
We need a Trustee from the global majority who will be able to provide us with insight and perspectives that are not fully represented at our Board meetings. We do have a diverse Board, but we are conscious that our membership, particularly in the young adults group, draws heavily from the global majority. We think we would benefit from another Trustee from this background. We are passionate about having diverse voices in our leadership because it helps us make better decisions. We also think we need to be sure we are hearing from people who have similar experiences to those we work with.
This Trustee position is open to those with a range of skills or specialisms, including but not limited to the provision of frontline services (for example safeguarding, working with young people, working with or knowledge of the challenges faced by LGBT+ refugees), marketing and fundraising (for example working in PR, having a knowledge of fundraising or events management) or charity management (for example financial skills - maybe gained outside the charity sector, governance or risk management).
We don’t need you to have been a Trustee before – we are committed to providing the training and support for anyone where this is their first Trustee role. Many of our current Trustees took this on as their first role and would now be regarded as experienced Trustees with a good knowledge of what is required to make the role a success..
Person Specification
Essential
● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community.
● Lived experience of being from the global majority
● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.
● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role
● Good communication skills and creative thinking
● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision
● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically
● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation
● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee
Desirable
● Experience managing a team
A Trustee with an interest in management of risk
We need a Trustee with an interest in the management of risk. For us that means keeping the risk register (we already have one, and its up to date and in good shape), and working with the chairs of the committees to ensure that their committee reviews the risks that they own (our experience is that they need a bit of a push to do it, but when they do it, it is done well). It also means saying “have we considered the risks here” when we discuss things at Board and making sure we keep that as a focus.
You don’t actually need to have done this before because it is relatively easy to understand and the role is keeping the organisation focused on risk rather than actually doing the risk management yourself.
We have a robust risk register and in the last 12 months we have spent half a day thinking specifically about our risk posture. We are losing the trustee who led this area and we need to replace them. If you have experience in governance of risk that would be great, but if you are simply interested in working with us and happy to pick up this area that is fine too. You don’t have to have been a trustee before, but if you have been that would be good.
Responsibilities specific to this role
● To work with the members of the Finance, Risk and Governance committee to maintain a register of the critical risks that the Charity faces.
● To work with the chairs of the Board Committees to ensure that the committees are regularly assessing their risks, and regularly taking action to mitigate those risks
● To be responsible for the keeping the risk register up to date
Person Specification
Essential
● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community.
● Knowledge of risk, or willingness to learn, in relation to a charity for young persons and vulnerable adults.
● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.
● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role
● Good communication skills and creative thinking
● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision
● An ability to work with others
● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically
● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation
● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee
Desirable
● Have managed a team of people
● Have an interest in corporate governance
A Trustee with skills in marketing, communications or PR
We need a Trustee with experience in marketing to join our Board and also our Marketing and Fundraising committee. We have a part time staff member who creates our material and posts it. We need ideas on how we might do better, reaching out to those who would benefit from what we do. You may have ideas about how we can improve our messaging, or where we could start to advertise and talk about what we do. We don’t need specific marketing skills but rather someone who is familiar with the way marketing works, who understands messaging and who has ideas on what we could do better. If you are familiar with new trends and technologies we could be making better use of that would be great.
Responsibilities specific to this role
● To work with the members of the Marketing and Fundraising committee to improve awareness of what Mosaic does among our target audiences.
Person Specification
Essential
● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community.
● At least 2 years in a marketing role
● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.
● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role
● Good communication skills and creative thinking
● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision
● An ability to work with others
● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically
● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation
● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee
Support, educate and inspire LGBT+ young persons and young adults from London and beyond
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.