Volunteer roles for the Human Rights sector

Skaped is excited to announce that we are recruiting at least two new Trustees to join our current Board! We are particularly interested in people with a background in HR, community organisers, fundraising, and business development/or social entrepreneurship, and those with a strong passion for social justice. 

Our Board currently consists of three trustees dedicated to guiding and overseeing the organisation. We are now looking for new board members who want to see Skaped expand its ambitious plans for the future. As a trustee, you will play a key role in ensuring we stay true to our core values: Creativity, Inclusivity, Intersectionality, Community Empowerment, Empathy, and Social Justice. If you resonate with our values, please apply today!

We are striving to be unconventional, creating an organisation that prioritises care and acceptance both within our activism and general workspace. We aim to be prominent and committed to building a truly inclusive and diverse organisation. We welcome applications from individuals from all walks of life, particularly those who have lived experiences of the migration system, racism, sexism, and/or marginalisation in any form.

As a member of the Skaped Board, you will be expected to champion the Skaped values and support our senior team leaders as we begin the next chapter of our journey.

About Skaped:

Skaped is an East-London community-led Artivist organisation that encourages young people to engage with community building and social change through the creative arts. As an organisation, we run relatable creative workshops, educational programmes and art projects for 11-30-year-olds mainly from marginalised communities. Our programmes have sparked conversations surrounding societal change, decolonisation, gender equality, gentrification, migration, anti-discrimination, and the like.

Job Responsibilities

• A trustee must comply with he charity's governing document and the law
• Support the development and provide support for the CEO and Team in the running of SKAPED
• Review and approve the organisation's annual and financial report
• Keep accurate records and provide periodic accounting to the beneficiaries
• Champion Skaped’s vision, mission, and values, driving the organization forward.
• Contribute ideas and help implement new systems, policies, and processes
• Advocate for creativity, inclusivity, and community-driven change.

Job Requirements

• An understanding of working with a founder who is still involved in the organisation's delivery.
• Commitment to Skaped policies and procedures.
• Understands the value of art and how this can lead to community and societal change
• Who possesses a good understanding of working with young people, especially in deprived areas
• Skaped is a women-led organisation, so we're looking for someone who has a strong commitment to supporting and championing the Skaped community of women: (by women, we mean anyone who ever self-identifies as such, be they cis, trans, non-binary, or gender fluid!)

Desirable Qualities:

• Previous experience of being a Trustee
• Experience working with small grassroots, creative community organisations and/or in social justice and community organising
• To be willing to be a main contact for HR-related enquiries
• Commitment to supporting Skaped’s business plan
• Desire to commit to further learning and development opportunities as a Trustee

For more details about the recruitment packs and the application form, please follow the link to our website below.

We are looking for a Social Media Specialist who can strategically identify, and post, engaging content for our social media feeds, which will inspire people to support our work with refugees and asylum seekers in Epirus.

In your role, you will interact with our Instagram and Facebook communities to increase engagement, followers and the quality of their experience. You will also identify key influencers and conversations where we can engage to better showcase our work and expand our reach. You are the person who thinks “this would make a good post” while activities are taking place. More than that, your interest and belief in social media as a force for good should be backed with an interest in data and analytics, using them to influence our social media communication strategy.

Skills Required:

• Strong written and spoken English skills
• Proactive, problem-solving mind-set
• Demonstrable ability to manage a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed in a professional capacity
• Ability to demonstrate your success at creating and delivering social media strategies for specific projects
• Ability to show your experience at producing regular reports using Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, Google Analytics or similar tools.
• Data-driven and have an evidence-led approach to social media strategy.
• Up-to-date with the latest trends/developments in social media communications.
• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks and respond flexibly.
• Ability to deal with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to identify key influential external figures and agencies to further our social media reach and impact.
• Ability to find creative solutions to communications challenges

Skills Desired:

• Experience working in a refugee context or with a vulnerable population
• Experience working in an NGO, Charity or in the field of human rights
• Language skills: Arabic, Persian, Dari, Sorani and/or Kurmanji

Your responsibilities:

• Regularly post and schedule content on Second Tree’s social media feeds.
• Work with the wider Second Tree team to ensure that all content on our social media feeds aligns with organisational, and specific project strategies.
• Work with Second Tree team to moderate and respond to comments and interact with followers to best develop our online communities.
• Produce regular reports on social media performance.
• Use Google Analytics (or similar) to produce reports on referrals to the Second Tree website and conversions attributable to social content.
• Advise colleagues and help them to develop content strategies based on previous reports and insights
• Develop social media strategies to expand our reach and impact through social media channels
• Identify key social influencers who we can engage with
• Maintain a strong knowledge of developments, innovations, and new tech in social media and identify any that may be of benefit/interest to Second Tree

What We Offer:

• Accommodation with all the basic amenities (WiFi, laundry, kitchen) covered in a shared team house.
• Transportation for work-related activities (if needed)
• Reference letter pending successful completion of engagement

We have two volunteer houses that can host up to nine people where long-term volunteers are accommodated. Some volunteers choose to rent their own accommodation. In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to join us on the ground and immerse themselves in our work. Your participation could take on many forms, from support in the education programs to activities in the kindergarten to the delivery of workshops and expeditions with the Youth Scouts – we look forward to hearing your ideas on how best to apply your skills in this context. By coming here, you would gain a first-hand experience of the situation on the ground, working in a grassroots organization with a small but dedicated team. This immersion will give you a solid sense of our work, our mission and our approach – which would facilitate your ability to attract supporters.

We encourage applicants to work with us on the ground, but even if you cannot physically come to Greece, we will still consider your application.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

How to apply

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana: Volunteers @ secondtree . org

1) Your CV

2) Your cover letter

3) Copy of your qualifications (If applicable)

In your mail, please: 

4) Put “Social Media Specialist” as the subject line

5) Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer (starting date and length)

6) At the end of the email, copy-paste the link of the ad you are responding to 

If the application includes all of these we will get back to you in a maximum of 48hs.

Service Introduction 

The Programmes & Services department keeps our organisation running. Our team work directly with volunteers by offering them support.  

Our Programmes & Services department is divided into four roles. Each of these roles reports to our Programmes & Services Manager. Our four roles are: 

• People Coordinator 

• Volunteer Engagement Coordinator 

• Referrals Coordinator 

• Training Coordinator 

Key tasks and responsibilities 

Recruitment & Selection 

• Assist in the preparation of comprehensive job descriptions, person specifications, and engaging job adverts to attract the best talent. 

• Manage the full recruitment process using our Applicant Tracking System (ATS), from candidate sourcing to selection. 

• Actively monitor and maintain various recruitment channels to ensure a continuous pipeline of candidates. 

• Screen resumes and applications, shortlist candidates, and conduct initial interviews. 

• Coordinate and schedule interviews and training sessions, liaising with applicants and interview panels to facilitate a smooth process. 

• Conduct reference checks and background verifications where required. 

Onboarding & Offboarding 

• Lead the onboarding process for new volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed and fully supported as they integrate into the team. 

• Develop and implement continuous improvements to the onboarding process to enhance the overall volunteer experience. 

• Organise necessary documentation and compliance requirements to ensure all records are up-to-date. 

• Facilitate offboarding procedures when necessary, ensuring a respectful and professional exit process. 

The Programmes & Services department keeps our organisation running. Our team work directly with volunteers by offering them support.

Our Programmes & Services department is divided into four roles. Each of these roles reports to our Programmes & Services Manager. Our four roles are: 

• People Coordinator 

• Volunteer Engagement Coordinator 

• Referrals Coordinator 

• Training Coordinator 

Key tasks and responsibilities 

• Track the attendance of all volunteers. 

• Maintain friendly relationships with caseworkers. 

• Be the first point of contact for queries from volunteers and signpost to the relevant team/person. 

• Support the accessibility needs of volunteers attending in person or online. 

• Organise socials for the organisation. 

• Feedback volunteer experiences to the management team. 

• Support the People Coordinator to ensure the smooth onboarding and offboarding of volunteers. 

• In person attendance on Saturdays is compulsory but there is no expectation of remote work throughout week. 

Want to support a migrant organisation striving for systemic change? We are looking for a trustee with HR expertise to contribute to the governance of an organisation, whilst centring migrant voices and experiences, and embedding our campaigning and policy work within a migrant-led agenda to help make a just society for migrants a reality.

​The role of an MRN trustee

As with any small charitable organisation, we are reliant on the skills and dedication of the trustees to support the organisation. We pride ourselves on a diverse board which primarily consists of those with the lived migrant, including refugee experiences.

As a trustee, you are instrumental in ensuring that MRN is achieving its objectives and purpose, and it is complying with its governing document and other legal requirements. Trustees are key to developing and delivering the strategy that will help drive the organisation forward.

With our Chair stepping down due to capacity reasons, we are seeking a Chair to lead the board and organisation. Alongside this, through a skills audit and analysis of our gaps, we have identified the following areas of expertise to have a full complement of skills and knowledge on the board: HR, fundraising and income generation for small/medium UK charities or businesses.

We want to reflect the communities we engage with, and therefore want to continue to attract those with the lived experience of migrating or the refugee system, who are from racialised or migratised backgrounds. We are also keen for those under 25 and those living outside of London to apply.

As a trustee you will be able to apply your significant skills and abilities, while working alongside devoted and enthusiastic trustees and staff who are committed to working and campaigning for the rights of all migrants.

Trustees duties and responsibilities

• Ensuring that MRN pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

• To ensure MRN follows effective governance to meet regulatory and statutory requirements and complies with its governing document (i.e., memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

• To make balanced and informed decisions in the best interests of the charity to achieve its purposes, and avoid personal conflicts of interest when making decisions

• Ensuring that MRN applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e., the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities might be) for the benefit of the public

• Ensuring that MRN defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets

• To act responsibly, reasonably, and honestly, and safeguard the good name and values of MRN

• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of MRN, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place

• Ensuring the financial stability and probity of MRN

• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds

• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, and remuneration of the CEO

In addition to the general qualities of a trustee, we are specifically looking for the following experience:

• A significant understanding of UK HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

• To provide oversight and strategic guidance on HR matters, advocate for best practices in employee management

We would expect the trustee with HR expertise to sit on the staff committee which is due to be formed.

The Salusbury World advice team have been successfully helping clients to navigate welfare benefits, immigration problems, housing support and to find work for 20 years. 70% of our clients require an interpreter. 

We particularly need interpreters to support our Arabic-speaking clients.

Some appointments take place virtually and some are face-to-face appointments, usually in the London borough of Brent. 

Your main tasks will be to: 

*offer clear independent interpreting of the client’s issue and responses from the advice worker to the client. 

*support clients from a variety of Arabic-speaking countries, many with almost no English.

Experience of interpreting is desirable but not essential. You need a warm personality and an ability to build a rapport with people quickly, a high standard of English, and a non-judgemental and supportive approach.

Commitment: this is an irregular commitment, as and when needed. It is likely to be 2 or 3 hours per month but may be less.

We offer induction training, support and reimburse travel costs. 

Could you befriend an asylum seeking or refugee young person? HIAS+JCORE is seeking volunteer befrienders for our transformative JUMP project! As a befriender, you'd meet fortnightly with your young person for at least 12 months, and receive full training and an enhanced DBS check. You'll also get ongoing support from our JUMP project staff.

The difference you'd make

The young people JUMP support might benefit from a befriender because they’ve left their families behind and often feel isolated, bewildered and lonely. Some have no one to talk to. Some want to improve their English. Some would like to get to know London better. The impact made by our befrienders is long-lasting and varies depending on both the befriender and young person's interests. 

What do volunteers get out of JUMP?

• A chance to help people in real need
• The opportunity to ‘give back’
• A new friend
• Increased understanding about asylum and refugee issues and policy 

Skills required

• Able to establish good relationships with young people.
• Able to use a non-judgemental, non-directive approach to working with young people.
• Empathy, sensitivity and patience.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Reliable in making and keeping commitments, including arrangements to meet up.
• Aware of the needs of young people.
• Sympathy for the difficulties that asylum seeking/refugee children and young people face.
• Willing to enhance own awareness of the issues facing asylum-seeking and refugee children/young people through training.
• Aware of safeguarding and child protection issues, and (i) willing to enhance this through JUMP training, and (ii) willing to follow HIAS+JCORE’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Willing to ask for help when uncertain when befriending and to discuss the experience of befriending through regular updates and supervision.

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers will be required to:

• Meet with an unaccompanied asylum seeking or refugee young person fortnightly for at least one year.
• Establish a warm, supportive friendship with the young person within JUMP befriending boundaries.
• Help to build up the young person’s self-esteem and confidence.
• A JUMP befriender will be someone the young person can talk to. They must be prepared to support the young person with a range of possible activities, such as: developing everyday life skills, getting around London, taking part in recreational or educational opportunities, applying for work experience or a job. They should be prepared to offer support with English, and where possible other types of academic work.
• They must make time to travel, if necessary, within London to meet with the young person. While we try to match people who live reasonably close by, this is not always possible, and young people can often have precarious housing situations and move neighbourhoods. It is important to consider the travel time, as well as contact time, potentially involved in befriending.
• A JUMP volunteer should be prepared to enjoy cultural/ sporting activities with the young person, and to take advantage of free entertainment and other opportunities in London.
• They should regularly communicate with the project coordinator after meeting the young person, providing feedback once a month about activities undertaken and to attend supervision face-to-face twice a year.
• They must submit monthly expenses incurred during the activities undertaken with the young person, and immediately alert the JUMP project coordinator or HIAS+JCORE Safeguarding Lead to any safeguarding (child and young person protection) issues.

What is the application process?

After submitting your application, you will be contacted to arrange an informal telephone interview. If all goes well at this stage, we would request two references and get you booked onto a day's training. The training will cover the role of the befriender and offer some more information about the experiences of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee young people. Before being paired with a young person we would also request an enhanced DBS check.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be part of our Governance team. The Data Protection Consultant will be responsible for overseeing the clinic's use of data and legal obligations under GDPR, maintaining high standards throughout. They will respond to the Governance and Compliance Manager.

We are a forward-thinking advice and support charity for the Trans Community. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Data Protection Consultant to consult on our data protection procedures to ensure we are compliant with all regulations relating to data privacy. The Data Protection Consultant will play a pivotal role in guiding our clinic through the data protection processes.

This senior consultancy position will involve overseeing the clinic’s data protection policies and procedures, ensuring best practices are followed, and fostering a culture of compliance. You will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategies for growth while safeguarding the clinic’s data protection.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing legal clinic through a pivotal stage of development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the clinic, ensuring it meets the highest professional standards while contributing to a meaningful cause. 

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be part of our Governance team. The Data Protection Advisor will be responsible for overseeing the clinic's use of data and legal obligations under GDPR, maintaining high standards throughout. They will respond to the Governance and Compliance Manager. 

We are a forward-thinking advice and support charity for the Trans Community. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Data Protection Advisor to consult on our data protection procedures to ensure we are compliant with all regulations relating to data privacy. 

 The Data Protection Advisor will play a pivotal role in guiding our clinic through the data protection processes. This entry-level position will involve overseeing the clinic’s data protection policies and procedures, ensuring best practices are followed, and fostering a culture of compliance. You will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategies for growth while safeguarding the clinic’s data protection. 

 This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing legal clinic through a pivotal stage of development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the clinic, ensuring it meets the highest professional standards while contributing to a meaningful cause. We offer a supportive and collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. 

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: Gain valuable retail experience you can add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

We’re looking for a new fundraising volunteer and/or director! Are you passionate about securing funds for grassroot organisations?

This opportunity involves overseeing Fuel Poverty Action’s fundraising plans and strategy, reaching out to donors and promoting our vital campaigns through grant bids to help end fuel poverty in the UK. 

This role would require an average of 16-20 hrs per month and can be done remotely. We are also open to you joining FPA’s board of directors, subject to capacity and experience. 

This offers a chance to directly contribute to tackling fuel poverty and ensuring access to affordable energy for all whilst strategizing and learning alongside great activists. If you're eager to contribute, we’d love to hear from you!

Tasks:

• Organise and manage our fundraising planning and pipeline

• Reach out to potential donors and help build relationships

• Lead on grant applications

• Work closely with the team to develop new fundraising strategies

• Contribute ideas and experience to FPA campaigns

Closing date for applications:  April 20th 2025

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do help out. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

Background:

Established in 2011, Kaleidoscope Trust is a UK-based charity fighting to bring about positive legislative, policy and social change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and gender diverse (LGBTI+) people across the Commonwealth and beyond. We fund, fight for, and empower those upholding the human rights of LGBTI+ people by working with governments, changemakers, and civil society organisations to effect meaningful and lasting change in the lives of LGBTI+ people.
 

At this exciting time for Kaleidoscope Trust, we are looking to find a candidate who can take on the role as Chair of the Board of Trustees to build on the charity’s momentum, while handling the evolving opportunities and challenges of the organisation. The Chair provides strategic leadership of Kaleidoscope Trust in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer.
 

Overall purpose:

To provide Leadership of the Board as a team, to facilitate and drive the governance and strategic direction of Kaleidoscope Trust and to communicate its values, mission, aims, and objectives.
 

Key Responsibilities:

- Working in Partnership with the Chief Executive Officer

- Fundraising & Acting as an Ambassador

- Governance & Strategic Direction

- Communication and Culture

- Board Meetings
 

The post holder will seek to remain both well-informed about the opportunities, challenges, and risks facing the association’s services and will aim to contribute specialist knowledge/expertise to debate and decisionmaking.
 

The Chair of the Board is responsible for ensuring that the Board is effective in setting and implementing the strategic direction of the organisation and can act as a leading ambassador for Kaleidoscope Trust.

We know that diverse boards are the most effective, they can think creatively and hold each other to account, therefore we are particularly looking for applications from trans people, women, People of the Global Majority, people without a degree, working class people and people of faith.
 

Please refer to the Job Description attached for more information on the role.

Law and Human Rights Records Volunteer Intern

Democratic Progress Institute

London based.

Next available volunteering role: beginning of May 2025or immediate start.

Full-time or part-time (3-4 days per week for a minimum of three months)
Closing date and interviews: recruitment on rolling basis

Fluency in English and computer literacy is essential.

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is seeking to appoint several Law and Human Rights Records Volunteer Intern with an interest in our work relating to Human Rights. We are offering a number of internships to outstanding candidates. Admission to our internship program is on a rolling-basis, lasting at least three months, and is unpaid. The successful candidates will be current undergraduate or a recent international law, political science or international relations graduate.

Volunteers recruited to DPI’s International Law Department will assist documentation/organisation of human rights issues, legal materials, ECtHR judgments.

The suitable candidate will be available ideally full time (Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 17.30) but other arrangements can be made. You will have the opportunity to assist with the general work of the legal department for a period of three to six months, with a particular focus on our legal casework and on the implementation of ECtHR judgments. Candidates are expected to have excellent verbal and written English skills, a strong visual eye, good attention to detail and strong organisational skills. Working well either alone or as part of a team, you will have experience of working with a diverse range of people.

Those interested should send a CV and Cover Letter stating your interests and experience. The candidates will be selected on the basis of their experience and suitability for the role. Please also state your availability and how many days you are available per week (minimum requirement of 3 days).

This is an in person internship and therefore it’s imperative that successful candidates have the right to work in the UK. 

Note this is an unpaid internship, however interns will receive a stipend for lunch.

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