Senior pr officer volunteer roles in Belfast

Are you an experienced Board-level leader passionate about education, social mobility, STEM, and creating opportunities for young people?

The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) is seeking an exceptional Chair of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to its Board. This opportunity would suit an experienced Chair, Trustee, Non-Executive Director (NED), Board Member, CEO, Executive Director, Managing Director or senior leader with expertise in governance, strategy, financial stewardship and organisational leadership who is passionate about education, STEM and social impact.

 We’re looking for someone with senior leadership experience, strong understanding of charity governance and finance, and the ability to support and challenge at Board level.

About EDT

EDT is a UK-wide education charity delivering over 50,000 learning experiences each year through the Industrial Cadets Awards. We bring together employers, educators and young people aged 9–21, helping them explore STEM pathways and access rewarding future careers. EDT plays a critical role in tackling skills gaps, improving social mobility and increasing diversity across STEM industries.

About the Role

This is a high-impact trustee leadership opportunity for someone who wants to shape the future of a national charity. As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, financial oversight and organisational effectiveness.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive, acting as a trusted sounding board while maintaining accountability for delivering EDT’s mission and strategy. You will also act as an ambassador, representing EDT to partners, funders and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees
• Ensure effective charity governance and compliance
• Oversee financial health and sustainability
• Support and challenge the Chief Executive
• Lead Board development and performance
• Act as an external ambassador for EDT

About You

We are seeking a collaborative, strategic and values-driven leader with experience operating at Board, Trustee, Non-Executive Director (NED), Chair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Director, Managing Director or senior leadership level.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership, executive, trustee or non-executive experience
• Strong understanding of charity governance, corporate governance, risk management, financial oversight and organisational strategy
• Experience working with Boards, Trustees, Committees or governing bodies
• The ability to provide both support and constructive challenge to senior executives and leadership teams
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, partnership-building and ambassadorial skills
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, social mobility and creating opportunities for young people
• Strong judgement, integrity and a passion for delivering social impact

Experience gained within the charity, not-for-profit, third sector, education, STEM, skills development, employability, workforce development, youth development, public sector or social enterprise sectors would be particularly valuable, although candidates from the commercial sector with relevant governance experience are equally encouraged to apply.

Commitment

• Approx. 4 Board meetings per year plus committee involvement
• Regular engagement with the Chief Executive
• Attendance at key events and stakeholder meetings

This is a voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Why join EDT?

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across the UK, while helping to address critical skills shortages in STEM. You will join a committed Board and executive team and play a central role in shaping EDT’s future at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the sector.

We welcome applications from experienced trustees, board members, non-executive directors, charity leaders, public sector leaders, education leaders and senior executives who share our commitment to improving outcomes for young people and strengthening the future STEM workforce. We actively welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to get involved in an impactful charity making a tangible difference to the lives of refugees here in the UK.

Our work is simple – we refurbish unwanted bikes and donate them to refugees and people seeking asylum, many living on less than £7 a day, giving them freedom and independence whilst they rebuild their lives.

A bike makes a huge difference – not only is it a practical tool for tackling poverty, those who receive bikes from us report they are more connected in their community, happier and healthier as a result:

• 91% of people use their bikes weekly for essential journeys

• 84% of people are better able to access legal and other vital support services 

• 93% report better physical and/or mental health

Alongside our core Bike Donations Programme, we support refugee women to learn to cycle through our Pedal Power Programme; provide ongoing support with bike maintenance through our Repair or Replace Programme; and offer the opportunity for connection and friendship through our volunteer-matching Bike Buddy Programme.

“The Bike Project has given me so much more than just a bicycle — it has given me confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Receiving a bike as a gift allowed me to feel free in society, explore my community, and even join a cycling group where I’ve met wonderful people. 

Thank you again for everything you do. Your work changes lives, including mine.”  
Ladan, Bike Recipient 

About You and the Role  

You don’t need to have experience of being on a Board, in fact the role would be ideal for someone considering taking on their first role as a trustee. We will work with you to understand your duties and support you.

You will, however, have an excellent understanding of charity finance and understand the unique set of challenges charities of our size face in delivering impact and ensuring financial resilience. You will be an excellent communicator – able to provide constructive feedback and scrutiny at the same time as helping the team to articulate financial information to others who may not have a finance background.
 
You will be joining a highly committed group of trustees who give their time, expertise and contacts to support the charity. Our trustees are critical in enabling us to thrive and this role plays a key role in supporting the wider board to fulfil its financial responsibilities.

You will work together with the board and wider staff team to set our strategic direction and improve our work with refugees. At the heart of everything we do is the real and immediate impact a bike makes to the lives of those who have been through so much. You will be part of us achieving that.
 
The time commitment for a trustee generally totals approximately 8 hours per month. Please see the role description for further details.

We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the asylum process, women, people of colour / people of the global majority, and people with disabilities.  

Application Process 

Deadline for Applications: Friday 28th August 2026

Interviews: Late September - Early October 2026

Appointment: October 2026
 
Feedback will be provided to all applicants whether taken to interview or not.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact hradmin [at] thebikeproject [dot] co [dot] uk.

The Organisation
Martin James Foundation (MJF) is a global network working towards one vision: a world where every child grows up in a safe and loving family. We support the transformation of child protection and alternative care systems, shifting away from institutional care and strengthening families and communities to keep children safe.
The unique composition of our Foundation brings together our Key Assets teams in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand and represents a network of over 1,000 foster care and child care practitioners. We combine this practical expertise with international advocacy and grant making through our MJF Global division to champion global care reform and support local organisations working to prevent family separation.

Structure
Our structure enables us to share and build on our collective experience, knowledge, practitioner skills, and proven best practice models as we continue to deliver innovative and quality services. Each organisation within the Martin James Foundation has its own strategy and mission of how it works towards our shared vision of a world in which children grow up and thrive in safe and loving families.
In addition, a set of shared strategic objectives enables us to achieve a greater combined impact. These objectives span a range of interventions that seek to support children, families and communities, as well as the structures and systems designed to protect them. Our work is informed and guided by the principles of the Guidelines of Alternative Care for Children, designed to enhance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Role of the Martin James Foundation Board
The Board of Trustees has strategic oversight of the charity, ensuring that ambitious strategic goals are set and worked towards effectively. The Board of Trustees works in collaboration with the Executive team to make decisions on key issues, offering support and challenge on a range of matters. The Board of Trustees acts as a point of escalation for internal and external stakeholders, for example any complaints or grievances, in line with agreed processes. The Board of Trustees also has legal oversight of the charity, including responsibility for ensuring that statutory and reporting requirements to the Charity Commission are met.

Board Statement of Values and Decision Making
Board Members embrace the entrepreneurial ethos of the Martin James Foundation. The Board is keen to take innovative approaches to delivering the Foundation’s work and commits to working collaboratively and effectively, as a collective decision-making body, to ensure the success of the charity. In doing so, board members commit to upholding the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

The Role of the Martin James Foundation Trustee
All Martin James Foundation Trustees contribute to the effective governance of the Foundation, through supporting the Board to make objective, long-term decisions on key issues in order to advance the charity’s mission and goals. Typically, such key issues will include: strategy, goal-setting, programme or project design, relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. government), public relations, finance, safeguarding, or any other legal matters. The Chair will hold the Board of Trustees and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. Each Trustee will support the Chair and Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives.

Person Specification
1. A strong and visible passion and commitment to Martin James Foundation, its strategic objectives, values and cause
2. Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
3. Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees. An understanding and experience of international issues and the challenges facing NGOs working internationally is desirable
4. Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
5. Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
6. Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events.
7. Desirable: Broad knowledge and understanding of children’s protection and social care and current issues affecting it.
8. Desirable: Lived experience of foster care or other family-based care.
9. Essential: Expertise in charity law and regulations gained through operating as a legal professional for Not-For-Profit / Charitable organisations.

Commitment and Conduct
The average time commitment is approximately 1 day per month, encompassing the following activities:
• Attendance at four quarterly Board meetings including review of all relevant papers and policies in advance of meetings. Meetings are held remotely with one in person annual general meeting. Papers for these meetings are circulated one week in advance. Meetings will focus on new projects, annual report and accounts, and other strategic decisions.
• Occasional exceptional Board meetings may be convened as required and are held by video call.
• Attendance at four quarterly Finance, Risk and Audit sub-committee meetings. Additional Board Committees are under consideration to which new Trustees would be invited to join in accordance with relevant skill sets.
• Meetings with executive leadership team members in relation to specific policies and projects, linking to relevant skills and specialisms brought by Trustees.
• Optional monthly meetings with the Chief Executive.

The Martin James Foundation strives to enable a diverse range of participation and contributions to the Board, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. People with lived experience of alternative care, and from people outside of the UK are encouraged to apply. All Board positions are voluntary, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed, and any training costs will be fully covered.

New Trustees will be provided with a structured induction and ongoing training and one-to-one support as appropriate.
As part of the appointment process, all Board members are required to adhere to the Martin James Foundation Code of Conduct and complete the Declaration of Eligibility and Interest form. The content of the Declaration of Interest form may require you to withdraw from specific discussions where you, a partner or close relative stands to gain or where you are so close to a matter being discussed that it will be difficult for you to be impartial.

Director of Communications

Location: United Kingdom (Remote/Homebased)
Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer
Contract Type: Flexible – Voluntary or Commission‑Based Model available
Start Date: Immediate

This is an opportunity to help build something that matters, and see the difference your work makes.

About Us
We are a globally focused non-profit organisation, grounded in Christian values, committed to helping communities grow through education, empowerment, and poverty relief. Our programmes support families, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience by responding to real community needs.

Through long-term partnerships and sustainable approaches, we create opportunities that encourage self-reliance and deliver lasting impact, helping individuals and families move toward stability, dignity, and a better future.

Why Join Us?
Join Project Yananai and be part of something bigger than a role. As a growing, purpose-driven organisation working across multiple countries, we offer the opportunity to shape meaningful change while developing your career, skills and experience.

Here, your voice matters. Your ideas help shape direction, and your work delivers visible, real-world impact. You’ll collaborate with a diverse, global team, gain exposure to strategic initiatives, and grow through hands-on experience in a dynamic, evolving environment.

We recognise the importance of flexibility. Our approach to working hours supports you to contribute in a way that works alongside your personal and professional commitments, within a collaborative and outcome-focused environment.

If you are motivated by purpose, energised by pace, and want to contribute to something truly meaningful, we’d love to hear from you!

Shape Our Voice. Tell Our Story. Drive Global Impact.

Project Yananai is seeking an exceptional, hands‑on communications leader to join our Global Executive Leadership Team as Director of Communications. This is a rare opportunity to build and execute a global communications strategy from the ground up—developing compelling materials, managing digital platforms, and directly crafting the messages that will secure partnerships, inspire donors, and amplify the stories of communities we serve.

If you are a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable writing a high‑value funding proposal, designing a donor newsletter, and managing a social media campaign—and you thrive in a mission‑driven, fast‑paced environment—this role offers you the platform to shape the voice of a high‑performing global nonprofit.

Our integrated Theory of Change - the Project Yananai Ecosystem - brings together three core activities that work synergistically to create lasting impact: Family Foundations, Sustainable Skills Development, Relief Operations.

This is an opportunity to join a collegial group of highly skilled, specialised, and experienced professionals - each a leader in their respective domain - who are collectively committed to building a high‑performing global nonprofit that meets the highest standards of governance, impact measurement, and operational excellence.

The Role

As Director of Communications, you will be the architect and hands‑on executor of Project Yananai’s global communications strategy. You will ensure that our brand, our story, and our impact are communicated with clarity, consistency, and creativity across all channels - from donor communications and funding proposals to social media, press relations, and internal team updates.

This is not a purely strategic role; you will be expected to lead by doing. You will draft high‑value communications materials yourself, manage digital platforms, and produce content that resonates with diverse audiences - donors, partners, governments, and the communities we serve. You will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Director of Funding, the Deputy Chief Advancement Officer, and National Management Teams to ensure that our communications are aligned with fundraising priorities and partnership objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Brand Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global communications strategy that supports Project Yananai’s mission, Theory of Change, and growth objectives.
• Establish and maintain a strong, consistent brand identity across all channels and materials, ensuring alignment with organisational values and visual identity guidelines.
• Lead the creation of key messaging frameworks, ensuring that our story is compelling, authentic, and tailored to diverse audiences.

Hands‑On Content Creation & Production

• Personally draft and edit high‑value communications materials, including:
  • Funding proposals and donor impact reports
  • Press releases, media statements, and op‑eds
  • Website copy, blog posts, and case studies
  • Newsletters, email campaigns, and stewardship communications
  • Social media content (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
  • Internal communications (team updates, newsletters, leadership messages)
• Design and produce visual content using design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) to create compelling graphics, infographics, and presentation materials.
• Manage the production of multimedia content, including videos, photography, and audio, in collaboration with program teams and external partners as needed.

Digital Platforms & Tools

• Oversee the organisation’s digital presence, including the website, social media channels, and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Salesforce Marketing Cloud).
• Manage and optimise content management systems, ensuring that the website is up‑to‑date, user‑friendly, and aligned with SEO best practices.
• Use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights) to monitor performance, measure engagement, and inform strategy.

Donor & Partner Communications

• Work closely with the Advancement team to develop compelling communications that support fundraising, partnership development, and donor stewardship.
• Lead the production of high‑quality donor reports, proposals, and pitch decks that articulate impact and build trust.
• Ensure that all donor‑facing materials are consistent, professional, and aligned with regulatory requirements (including Fundraising Regulator standards).

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, media outlets, and sector influencers.
• Draft and distribute press releases, manage media inquiries, and coordinate interviews with senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for thought leadership, including speaking engagements, conference presentations, and contributed articles.

Internal Communications

• Develop and implement an internal communications strategy that keeps our global team informed, engaged, and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Draft and distribute regular internal updates, including leadership messages, team newsletters, and operational announcements.
• Ensure that National Management Teams have the communications tools and support they need to share local stories and coordinate messaging.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Build and lead a growing communications function, including recruiting, managing, and mentoring staff and volunteers as the team expands.
• Provide training and guidance to colleagues across the organisation on communications best practices, brand consistency, and storytelling.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure that all communications comply with UK charity law, Fundraising Regulator requirements, data protection regulations (UK GDPR), and local laws in our focus countries.
• Maintain accurate records of communications activities and materials.

About You

Essential Experience & Track Record

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing communications strategies for international organisations, preferably in the non‑profit or development sector.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences (donors, media, internal teams).
• Hands‑on experience with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal).
• Proficiency with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Salesforce) and social media management tools.
• Experience managing media relations and building relationships with journalists and influencers.

Skills & Competencies

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for translating complex programs into powerful stories.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to align communications with organisational goals and donor engagement.
• Proficiency in analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to measure and optimise performance.
• Highly collaborative, with proven ability to work across cultures and geographies.
• Creative and innovative, with a strong visual eye and ability to produce high‑quality content.
• High integrity, discretion, and alignment with Project Yananai’s mission and values.

Personal Qualities

• A hands‑on leader who is as comfortable drafting a funding proposal as designing a social media campaign.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a dynamic, growth‑oriented environment.
• A proactive problem‑solver with a “can‑do” attitude.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required to support National Teams and capture stories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or related field highly desirable.
• Professional qualifications in communications, public relations, or digital marketing are advantageous.

What We Offer

• A seat on the Global Executive Leadership Team (GELT) , with visibility across the entire organisation.
• The opportunity to build a global communications function from the ground up, shaping the voice of a high‑impact nonprofit.
• A role with genuine creative and strategic influence, working alongside exceptional leaders in advancement, partnerships, and operations.

A Commission‑Based Model of Remuneration is available for candidates who wish to incorporate fundraising activities alongside communications responsibilities,

Project Yananai is an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. Project Yananai is a UK registered charity number 1209060.