Senior programmes coordinator volunteer roles

About FirstGens 

FirstGens is a UK-based startup social enterprise on a mission to reduce the educational outcomes gaps in higher education by providing information and guidance to undergraduates who are the first person in their family to pursue university. Supporting students to complete their education through our royal award-winning Navigating University Programme and staff training. 

As we grow our impact, we seek to secure funding from trusts, foundations, philanthropists and private donors. To support efforts as a new organisation, we’re looking for a dedicated Grant & Application Review Advisor to strengthen our application review process and ensure strategic and compelling submissions. 

Role Purpose 
The Grant & Application Review Advisor will be responsible for reviewing written funding applications prior to submission on a monthly basis. This role ensures that all applications align with FirstGens’ strategic priorities, meet funder requirements and present a strong case for support. The individual will serve as a senior‐level reviewer, bringing social enterprise fundraising experience and constructive feedback, acting as a quality gate for our submissions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• On a monthly basis, review draft funding applications (typically trusts, foundations). 

• Using Google Docs comment section to provide detailed feedback on content, structure, logic, alignment with funder criteria tone and clarity. 

• Ensure each application: 

• Reflects FirstGens’ mission, strategic model and impact evidence (e.g., our programmes and research on first-generation student success) 

• Is tailored to the funder’s priorities and questions 

• Presents a compelling and coherent narrative, with clear outcomes, activities, budget alignment and measurement of impact 

• Is free of errors, is consistent in style and voice, and meets all submission guidelines (including deadlines, formats and attachments) 

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and finance coordinator, to ensure alignment between narrative, budget and monitoring plans. 

• Act as a senior quality assurance resource: challenging assumptions, raising questions, suggesting strengthening of logic or evidence and proposing ways to sharpen the “ask” and the case for support. 

• Advise on any gaps in our fundraising process to help us strengthen operations. For exmaple, suggesting the creation of application templates, standard content libraries (e.g., organisational overview, impact statistics, case studies) and “lessons learnt” logs to improve future bids. 

• Strategic oversight for quarterly grant applications. Checking in with CEO on a quarterly basis to discuss upcoming grants. 

• Help CEO to build quarterly reports to Directors on the health of the application pipeline, quality issues identified and improvements made. 
   

Essential Qualifications & Experience 

• Proven senior experience (minimum 5 years) in reviewing or leading grant applications for non-profit organisations (preferably UK funders). 

• Expertise in grant writing and submission processes, including trusts and foundations 

• Strong demonstrable track record of successful funding applications or as reviewer of such. 

• Strong organisational skills: able to manage multiple deadlines, work to a calendar of monthly reviews and ensure timely feedback loops. 
   

Desirable Experience 

• Experience in private donor and philanthropic giving (high-net-worth individuals, family offices) as well as institutional funders. 

• Experience working with social-mobility, higher-education access, student support or widening participation organisations. 

• Experience building standardised application toolkits, content libraries and “bid review” processes for an organisation. 

• Experience in working with budget alignment, monitoring & evaluation logic and impact measurement frameworks within funding applications. 

Working Arrangements 

• Flexible, remote working

• This role will start immediately; initial period will involve review cycle for upcoming submissions, followed by ongoing monthly reviews. 
   

Our Values/ Ways of working together  

We strive for inclusivity, honesty, transparency and positive wellbeing to create an innovative and collaborative team environment. 

Recruitment Process Options 

• Interview formats include in-person for Bristol based applicants, video conferencing, phone interviews) to accommodate any needs. 

How to Apply 
Please submit your CV, a cover letter highlighting your relevant senior grant application experience, and one recent example of an application you have reviewed or led (or a summary thereof). In your cover letter, please outline your experience with monthly application review cycles (or equivalent) and any philanthropic/private donor experience. 

Why join FirstGens? 
Education has the power to transform people’s lives. You’ll join an innovative startup organisation, making real, measurable change for first-generation university students across the UK. You’ll be supporting young people to complete their education with confidence  and turn their dreams into realities. Your role will be pivotal in securing the social funding that enables us to deliver on our first 3 year strategy. 

RSPCA Oxfordshire Branch

Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for an enthusiastic person who understands charity finance to support us in our mission to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.

Overview of the Branch Treasurer opportunity

We are looking for someone to volunteer as a Branch Treasurer for our OXFORDSHIRE Branch. This role would play a vital role in supporting the Branches affairs so that it is governed and managed effectively, whilst continually having animal welfare at the forefront of their mind.

As a minimum, trustees would generally attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 1-2 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for over 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers, who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA OXFORDSHIRE Branch

The OXFORDSHIRE Branch was founded in 1875, we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by our Operations Manager and a team of volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is on rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals, we take in the animals the Inspectors rescue from cruelty and neglect, we provide them with the veterinary attention, love and care, then we find them loving new homes. We also to help members of the public with financial assistance for their animals for neutering, microchipping and unexpected veterinary fees

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Treasurer

• Implement and maintain sound financial systems.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plan the branch income and expenditure.
• Provide a written financial report for every branch meeting.
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and treasurer’s report.
• Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.
• Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory.
• Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and to ensure their correct use.
• In the absence of a branch box secretary, to assume responsibility for the branch network of collection boxes.
• Arrange payment of the annual branch contribution to the appropriate RSPCA fund.
• Coordinate financial control of all branch fundraising activities.
• Make quarterly VAT returns to headquarters promptly.
• Ensure the production, monitoring and annual review of the branch’s financial risk management strategy following the charity commission’s requirements.
• Liaise with branch officers, Branch Partnership Managers and Branch finance coordinator on Financial affairs as necessary and alert them immediately to any possible difficulties or irregularities.
• Ensure the retention and safekeeping of the branch’s financial documentation for the appropriate time as set by the charity commission.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager, write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out your branch's short and long-term aims.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

• We are particularly looking for someone who has knowledge and experience in finance, who may already understand charity finance.
• As a trustee, you would be able to dedicate the time to attend monthly committee meetings, which last approximately 3 hours.
• There will be additional volunteer duties between meetings, such as; providing financial reports at committee meetings, monitoring the budget that the trustees have set for the year, processing payments, querying invoices, VAT returns, and processing Gift Aid claims.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Treasurer

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff and any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that directly impact local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• To become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Oxfordfordshire Branch

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.