Grants and contracts manager volunteer roles

About Quilombo UK

Quilombo UK is a social justice organisation dedicated to inspiring individuals to "See, Think, Behave and Speak Differently" about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We create engaging experiences—ranging from our Beyond Bias training to our "Voices for All" podcasts—that raise awareness and empower unheard voices within our diverse communities.

While we host the Professional Development Programme (PDP) to support career changers and newcomers to the UK, the Bid Writing department operates as a core strategic function focused on the long-term financial sustainability and growth of the organisation's mission. This role is essential for securing the resources required to tackle discrimination and support equality across all our platforms.

Head of Department (Bid Writing)

The Opportunity

This position offers a significant career step-up, providing experience in managing high-stakes fundraising and income-generation strategies within a social justice framework. In this Head of Department capacity, you will gain the leadership credentials and strategic oversight necessary to advance your professional trajectory while ensuring the financial sustainability of our mission to empower unheard voices.

Role Purpose

The Head of Department (Bid Writing) sits between Directors and Managers, turning high-level income-generation goals into a clear, deliverable bid-submission pipeline. You own the direction, research structure, and delivery control of the department to ensure that all grant applications, tenders, and funding proposals are submitted with high quality, accuracy, and pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Pipeline Planning: Turning Director funding objectives into a practical calendar of bid submissions, including research phases, drafting cycles, and submission deadlines.

• Manager Leadership: Coaching Bid Managers to coordinate research and evidence-gathering effectively, ensuring all proposal components are visible in MeisterTask.

• Assurance & Quality Control: Reducing rework by refining the "case for support" and ensuring all bids are proofed against funder requirements before reaching the final sign-off stage.

• Director Reporting: Providing weekly reports on the bid pipeline (submitted, pending, and upcoming), WIP status, and risks to funding timelines.

• Culture & Standards: Ensuring all proposals align with Quilombo UK’s tone, values, and professional communication standards.

Additional Professional Benefits

• Career Development: A full CV and profile review conducted by our Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams.

• Operational Support: Access to the services of the Legal, HR, PR, and Graphic Design teams for up to 10 hours per month for professional or departmental support (e.g., legal review of contracts or graphic design for proposal decks).

• Proactive Recruitment: Use of the Talent Acquisition team to actively search out new roles and opportunities via industry portals and LinkedIn.

Requirements

• Proven experience in bid writing, grant applications, or technical writing.

• A portfolio of successful funding bids, tenders, or professional writing samples / CV.

• Familiarity with research methodologies and project management software (such as MeisterTask).

• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of funding streams (trusts, foundations, and government tenders).

• Focused, organised, and able to prioritise complex tasks under tight deadlines.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments.

• Strong team player with the ability to lead through others.

• Excellent written communication skills with a keen eye for detail.

• Degree in English, Creative Writing, Business, or a related field is a plus.

• This is a 100% remote-only position.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

Selection Process

• Informal interview.

• Requirement of two professional references.

Interested in supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse?

We are currently recruiting Trustees to help us take the charity forward into the future.

Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline is a registered charity led by a Board of Trustees.

The Trustees (all unpaid volunteers) act individually and collectively, to provide overall stewardship of the charity, in accordance with our governing document and relevant legislation. In essence we look after the staff, volunteers and the organisation, so they can support the community.

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience to be a trustee and we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience.

Prospective candidates will need to:

• Have empathy with the work of the Helpline

• Be able to devote the necessary time and effort

• Have well-developed communication and interpersonal skills

• Have good judgement

• Be able to work as a team

• Have the ability, commitment and drive to take the organisation forward

Trustee Opportunities

For any charity succession planning is important and with that in mind we are currently looking for people to join our Board as Trustees.

1. Chair: Our Chair will be stepping down soon after 15 years and we are looking for someone to learn the ropes beside her before taking on the role. 

2. Treasurer: After 10 years, our Treasurer is looking to retire in the next year. The Treasurer’s role description is on our website.  

3. General Trustees: Please see the role description on our website

If you would like to apply please complete the application form on our website.  You are welcome also to email Chris Roach, Chair, at that address to arrange an informal chat.

Independent Chair and Non-Executive Director Recruitment

Somerset Skills & Learning CIC (SS&L)
Voluntary roles | Somerset / Hybrid

Changing lives through learning

Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) is a thriving Community Interest Company delivering education and skills to around 4,000 learners each year. Working with over 145 employers, we improve confidence, wellbeing, employability and life chances across Somerset and beyond.

We are now seeking two Independent Non-Executive Directors to join our Board at an exciting and pivotal time.

Following seven successful years on the Board, our Chair will step down in November 2026. As part of this recruitment, we will identify our next Non-Executive Chair, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future direction of a values-driven organisation making a tangible difference.

The Opportunities

Non-Executive Director – Finance & Sustainability

You will bring senior financial leadership experience to help guide SS&L’s long-term sustainability.

You will contribute to:

• Financial strategy, oversight and resilience
• Risk management, audit and governance
• Supporting sustainable, values-led growth

Non-Executive Director – Further Education Quality & Impact

You will bring expertise from the further education or skills sector to help ensure high-quality outcomes.

You will contribute to:

• Quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Learner outcomes and progression
• Strategic curriculum development aligned to community need

About the Roles

As a Board member, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight, challenge and support
• Help shape organisational direction and impact
• Work collaboratively with fellow Directors and the Executive team

From these appointments, we are particularly interested in individuals with the capability and interest to step into the Chair role.

Commitment

• Approximately 4–5 hours per month
• Four Board meetings per year (hybrid)
• Participation in sub-committees
• Voluntary roles (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

About You

We are looking for individuals who:

• Bring senior leadership or Board-level experience
• Can offer constructive challenge and strategic insight
• Share our commitment to inclusion, learning and community impact

We particularly welcome applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
 

How to Apply

Full details about this opportunity in the attached brief. For a confidential discussion, please contact Anna Jay, Managing Director, Public Leaders Appointments

Closing date for applications: Midday, 21st May 2026. Interviews 10th or 11th June 2026.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to help shape an organisation that is transforming lives through learning, we would love to hear from you.

Haven Products

Non-Executive Director

Meetings held in Larbert  

Voluntary Position 

Haven Products is a long-established social enterprise and registered charity with a clear mission: investing in people and changing perspectives.

For over 70 years, Haven has been committed to providing sustainable employment and development opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged individuals. Today, the organisation employs over 100 people across sites in Clydebank and Larbert, with more than 80% of its exceptional workforce living with a disability.

Operating at the intersection of social impact and commercial delivery, Haven provides textile manufacturing, contract packaging solutions, and document scanning services. As a supplier on the Scottish Government Supported Business Framework, Haven partners with both public and private sector organisations across Scotland.

Haven provides employment that offers a fair wage and equivalent terms and conditions, alongside opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence, and increase independence—supporting greater social and economic inclusion.

This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of one of Scotland’s largest employers of disabled and disadvantaged individuals in a commercial environment. The organisation is entering a period of growth and expansion, supported by a substantial Scottish Government grant and a clear ambition to scale its impact.

About the Role of Non-Executive Director 

Haven is looking to appoint one or more Scotland-based Non-Executive Directors to join its Board at an important stage in the organisation’s development. This is an opportunity to contribute to the delivery of Haven’s three-year business plan, supported by the Scottish Government, which aims to return the organisation to a sustainable, profit-generating position while remaining true to its charitable mission.

As a Non-Executive Director, you will work with fellow Board members to provide effective governance, oversight, and stability, ensuring Haven operates in line with its values and long-term objectives. You will bring independent perspective, constructive challenge, and strategic insight to support the Executive team through a period of change and growth.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to Haven’s strategic direction, offering insight and oversight on planning and implementation
• Support business development and diversification through networking and stakeholder engagement
• Identify and facilitate strategic partnerships, including supporting transition from Rehab Group
• Provide governance and policy oversight, ensuring robust and effective decision-making
• Offer constructive challenge and guidance to the Executive team
• Attend Board meetings, alongside occasional events, training sessions, and seminars

We are particularly interested in individuals with senior-level experience who can contribute to organisational recovery, growth, and long-term sustainability. At least one appointment will bring strong commercial or business development experience. Candidates may come from backgrounds such as manufacturing or operational leadership, business turnaround or organisational restructuring, or roles focused on sales, marketing, or income diversification. Experience within social enterprise, the charity sector, or working with disability-focused organisations would also be valuable.

Local business connections and networks within Scotland would be advantageous.

Beyond experience, we are looking for individuals who bring integrity, sound judgement, and the confidence to both support and challenge constructively. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with a proactive mindset, are important. You should be comfortable navigating complexity, contributing to collective decision-making, and maintaining a focus on both mission and commercial sustainability.

Time Commitment

There will be a minimum of four half-day Board meetings per year, with an expectation to attend an additional four to five meetings annually as required. Meetings are typically held at Haven Products’ Larbert site (FK5 4RU), with some held remotely or at other locations across Scotland. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.