Welfare team leader volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Birmingham

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Become a Fundraisng Team Leader Volunter!

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You'll be:

• supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• keeping financial records from fundraising events
• encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection
• following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What will you be doing?

As part of the Management team you will be responsible for ensuring that the group is acting in a way that recognises its safeguarding responsibilities in all its activities.

This will include carrying out Enhanced DBS checks on behalf of the group when appropriate and provide an induction for new Management Team Members so they are aware of the safeguarding requirements of the group and to initiate an annual short Safeguarding Refresher Session at a coach meeting.

Management team meetings are held typically every six to eight weeks, alternating on line and in person.

What are we looking for?

• Experience of adult safeguarding (desirable but not essential).
• Ability to work with discretion and confidentiality when required.
• A strong commitment to improving the lives of the people Read Easy works with.
• Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Reasonable confidence in using IT.
• The ability to use initiative and work independently.
• A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.
• A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.
• Energy and enthusiasm with an average of two hours a week to commit to the role. 

What difference will you make?

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life.

HELP US LAUNCH MINDSET — AND CHANGE MEN & BOYS’ LIVES IN LONDON

We’re ideally seeking Trustees based in London, but we welcome passionate volunteers from across England who can join meetings virtually and help steer the future of a charity with huge potential.

We’re MINDSET Charity, a bold new start‑up in London on a mission to equip and empower men and boys with the tools they need for better mental health, stronger resilience and long‑term personal growth.

We’re building a stigma‑free movement — a space where men and boys can learn real, practical, non‑clinical skills that help them build better habits, better mindsets and better lives. From 1:1 Life Coaching, to 6‑ and 12‑week self‑improvement programmes, to school workshops for teenage boys, we’re creating something powerful.

And right now, we’re getting ready to launch — and we need Trustees who can help shape our direction, strengthen our governance and guide us as we build a charity that will transform lives across London.

YOUR IMPACT WILL BE HUGE

Joining MINDSET as a Trustee at this early stage means you’re not stepping into a traditional board role — you’re becoming part of the founding leadership of a charity with ambition, energy and purpose.

Your decisions will directly influence:

• how quickly we can register as a charity;

• how strong and safe our governance becomes;

• how effective and impactful our programmes are;

• how we grow, scale and innovate;

• how we support men and boys across London for years to come.

This is your chance to help build a charity from the ground up — shaping its culture, its strategy and its future.

THE ROLE: TRUSTEE (VOLUNTEER)

1. A strategic leader.
2. A guardian of good governance.
3. A champion for men and boys’ wellbeing.

As a Trustee, you’ll help guide MINDSET’s vision, ensure we operate safely and responsibly, and support our start‑up charity as it builds momentum towards launch.

You’ll work closely with the Founder and Leadership Team, offering insight, oversight and support as we develop programmes, strengthen operations and build our organisational infrastructure.

This role is perfect for someone who wants to use their experience, judgement and passion to help shape a charity with real purpose.

WHAT YOU’LL HELP US BUILD

1. Governance & Strategy

• Helping shape our early strategy and direction.

• Ensuring strong governance and responsible decision‑making.

• Supporting charity registration and compliance.

• Helping us build a safe, ethical and effective organisation.

2. Oversight & Accountability

• Reviewing policies, procedures and safeguarding measures.

• Ensuring we meet legal and regulatory requirements.

• Supporting risk management and organisational stability.

• Helping us build systems that future teams can rely on.

3. Start‑Up Leadership

• Bringing insight, ideas and energy to a fast‑moving charity.

• Supporting the Founder and Leadership Team.

• Helping us build momentum towards launch.

• Championing our mission to improve men and boys’ mental health.

WE’RE NOT JUST LOOKING FOR ANYONE

We’re especially interested in people who:

• want to help build a new charity from scratch;

• bring strategic thinking, clarity and good judgement;

• understand governance, safeguarding or charity operations (or are keen to learn);

• can offer calm, steady leadership in a start‑up environment;

• care deeply about men’s mental health, wellbeing and personal growth;

• want to be part of a movement that will change lives.

If you’re someone who loves shaping vision, strengthening governance and building strong foundations — this is your moment.

JOIN TEAM MINDSET

Helping Men & Boys Build Better Lives.

LONDON

HELP US LAUNCH MINDSET — AND PROTECT MEN & BOYS’ LIVES IN LONDON

We’re ideally seeking Trustees based in London, but we welcome passionate volunteers from across England who can join meetings virtually and help steer the future of a charity with huge potential.

We’re MINDSET Charity, a bold new start‑up in London on a mission to equip and empower men and boys with the tools they need for better mental health, stronger resilience and long‑term personal growth.

We’re building a stigma‑free movement — a space where men and boys can learn real, practical, non‑clinical skills that help them build better habits, better mindsets and better lives. From 1:1 Life Coaching, to 6‑ and 12‑week self‑improvement programmes, to school workshops for teenage boys, we’re creating something powerful.

And right now, we’re getting ready to launch — and we need a Trustee Safeguarding Lead who can help shape our direction, strengthen our governance and ensure our charity operates safely, responsibly and confidently as we grow.

YOUR IMPACT WILL BE HUGE

Joining MINDSET as a Trustee at this early stage means you’re not stepping into a traditional board role — you’re becoming part of the founding leadership of a charity with ambition, energy and purpose.

Your decisions will directly influence:

• how strong and safe our safeguarding culture becomes;

• how quickly we can register as a charity;

• how effective and compliant our programmes are;

• how we protect men and boys across London;

• how we grow, scale and innovate with safety at the centre.

This is your chance to help build a charity from the ground up — shaping its culture, its strategy and its future.

THE ROLE: TRUSTEE SAFEGUARDING LEAD (VOLUNTEER)

1. A strategic leader.
2. A guardian of safety.
3. A champion for men and boys’ wellbeing.

As our Safeguarding Lead, you’ll guide MINDSET’s safeguarding vision, ensure we operate safely and responsibly, and support our start‑up charity as it builds momentum towards launch.

You’ll work closely with the Founder and Leadership Team, offering insight, oversight and assurance as we develop programmes, strengthen operations and build our organisational infrastructure.

This role is perfect for someone who wants to use their safeguarding experience, judgement and passion to help shape a charity with real purpose.

WHAT YOU’LL HELP US BUILD

1. Safeguarding Leadership & Strategy

• Setting the safeguarding tone and culture from day one.

• Ensuring strong, safe and compliant decision‑making.

• Leading on safeguarding policy development and implementation.

• Helping us build a safe, ethical and effective organisation.

2. Oversight, Assurance & Accountability

• Reviewing policies, procedures and safeguarding measures.

• Ensuring we meet legal and regulatory requirements.

• Supporting risk management and organisational stability.

• Providing safeguarding oversight to the Board.

3. Start‑Up Governance & Support

• Bringing calm, steady leadership to a fast‑moving charity.

• Supporting the Founder and Leadership Team.

• Helping us build momentum towards launch.

• Championing our mission to improve men and boys’ mental health.

WE’RE NOT JUST LOOKING FOR ANYONE

We’re especially interested in people who:

• have safeguarding experience (charity, education, youth work or similar);

• want to help build a new charity from scratch;

• bring strategic thinking, clarity and good judgement;

• can offer calm, steady leadership in a start‑up environment;

• care deeply about men’s mental health, wellbeing and personal growth;

• want to be part of a movement that will change lives.

If you’re someone who loves shaping vision, strengthening governance and building strong foundations — this is your moment.

JOIN TEAM MINDSET

Helping Men & Boys Build Better Lives.

LONDON

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Head of Bids and tenders to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender submissions.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Head of Bids to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Overall responsibility for delivering high-quality, accurate, compliant and commercially sound proposals on time, to budget, with inputs from key stakeholders.
• Responsible for the coordination and management of all Bid activities, for ensuring that Bid Plans are put in place and that all internal inputs are received promptly to meet Bid submission timescales.
• Responsible for the receipt, management, control and coordination of all external and internal information and documentation with respect to the enquiry and for the team acting as custodian for Bid documents, including all approved internal documentation signed by the Organisation.
• Responsible for compliance with all internal Bid policies and procedures and for passing internal and external audits.
• Contribute to the overall Bid strategy alongside other stakeholders.
• Responsible for the overall leadership of the team and ensuring that individuals within the team are given appropriate opportunities to grow and develop, and that the team maximises performance by creating and fostering a positive, can-do attitude and outlook on an ongoing basis.
• Responsibility to ensure that improvements are identified and those agreed upon are implemented continuously to support the growth and development of the team and those within it.
• There is a need to keep good records and to create and measure metrics on bidding performance to both review performance and drive continuous improvement in a key area of the business.
• Responsible for mentoring and training Bid Managers and Bid Writers to ensure they are up to date with bid requirements and improve their competence.

What are we looking for?

Education, Skills and Experience: Requirements

Essential:

• At least three years of experience in successfully leading teams within a bid environment.
• Proven track record of improvement and achievement - processes and people
• Keen understanding of numbers, spreadsheets, VOP/invoices, rates, cash flow, milestones, negotiations, and pricing audits.
• Ability to write strong proposals and experience as an estimator
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with local and international customers, and with an appreciation of cultural differences
• Ability to persuade and influence others
• Ability to lead team by example, with the ability to foster and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Strong business/commercial acumen
• Keen attention to detail
• Commercially sound judgement
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong financial skills

Desirable:

• Leadership qualification (CMI or ILM)
• Experience with an integrated project management / ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning)
• Experience in bidding roles in the Medical, Biochemistry, Biomedical, Public Services, Global Health, Humanitarian, NGOs, Public Health and Social Care industry
• MBA, Professional Qualification or formal leadership Qualification (CMI, ILM)

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge of bids will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex, high-stakes journey.

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free.  You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

Make a difference in the lives of children, families and women. Become a PACT Trustee.

We are seeking two voluntary trustees to join our exceptional Board of trustees: One with professional experience in Safeguarding and one with professional experience within the Violence Against Women and Girls sector, or closely aligned areas.

If you are committed to making a lasting impact and guiding a charity that makes a positive difference to hundreds of lives every year, this is an incredible opportunity to join us on our mission.

You do not need previous trustee experience as we provide a full induction and ongoing training. This is a unique chance to apply your expertise at strategic level, playing a pivotal role in ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services, championing the welfare of vulnerable families, and shaping supportive policies that protect children and strengthen communities.

PACT (Parents and Children Together) has been building and strengthening families since 1911 through outstanding adoption services and specialist therapeutic and trauma informed support services across Reading, the Thames Valley, and southern England. As one of the UK’s leading voluntary adoption agencies, we place children with loving, permanent families (over 81 placements last year) and offer lifelong specialist support through services like our Strengthening Families Team, CATCH and Adopter Champions. Alongside our adoption service provision, we empower women facing multiple disadvantages through our Alana House women’s centre and help children and their non-abusing parents recover from trauma via our Bounce Back 4 Kids programme.

Who we are looking for

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups, including those with lived experience of adoption, care or disadvantage to apply. Diversity of thought and experience strengthens our Board, and we value perspectives from different communities, cultures and lived experiences. Your expertise will help us deliver inclusive, high quality services for children, families and women.

These trustee roles are voluntary positions that are home-based with occasional travel to our Reading head office for in person board meetings or to collaborate with PACT colleagues relevant to your lead role (reasonable expenses covered) and support for our events. The time commitment is around one day per month, including quarterly Board meetings and input into wider charity matters. We aim to be flexible and will make adjustments where we can support accessibility and your availability.

For the Safeguarding Lead Trustee role, we would welcome applications from interested individuals who have current strong understanding and experience of safeguarding legislation, especially in children’s social care.

For the Violence Against Women and Girls Trustee role, we are looking for individuals with demonstrable experience of working in this sector, or in closely aligned areas (e.g. domestic abuse, sexual violence, women in the criminal justice system, safeguarding, trauma informed services). You will have a strong understanding of the policy, commissioning and funding landscape relating to this field.

What would you get as a PACT trustee?

· Satisfaction of helping vulnerable children, women and families, and giving something back

· An opportunity to exercise your skills and knowledge, possibly in a different environment or context

· A chance to contribute to the charity’s strategic growth

· A chance to expand your experience of charities and gain new skills

· An opportunity to work alongside other skilled and committed trustees

· High-quality induction, training and support from us and other charity-support organisations

· Being a Trustee can support the acquisition of valuable skills and experience that support career development

We understand that becoming a trustee is a commitment and you want to ensure that you are applying for a role that matches your values and requirements. You will find lots more information about PACT on our website and one of our trustees also kindly provided this short video with further details.

If you believe you can contribute to the skills and diversity of our Board and would like to apply, please visit the volunteer page of our website  where you will find the trustee recruitment pack and application form.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need the information in a different format or require adjustments during the application process, please let us know.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The closing date for applications is 9am on Tuesday 01 September 2026.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Bid Manager to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender opportunities.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Bid Manager to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Role Description:

Bid Management: Lead and manage the entire bid and tender process, ensuring submissions meet deadlines and align with client requirements across the UK & Ireland.

Proposal Development: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop tailored, high-quality, and persuasive proposals that align with our value proposition.

Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with sales, operations, legal, and clinical teams to gather critical input and ensure accurate, compliant, and compelling submissions.

Market Analysis: Stay informed on market trends, tender opportunities, and competitor activity to identify and secure strategic opportunities.

Compliance: Ensure all submissions adhere to company standards, client specifications, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement: Continuously refine bid processes, content libraries, templates, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Post-Submission Activities: Manage debrief processes and gather feedback to inform future submissions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead AHO bids: Manage the whole bid process with a hands-on approach.
• Create strong responses: Tailor solutions that clearly show our value.
• Support growth: Work with Business Development and Marketing to boost propositions.
• Drive best practice: Lead bid qualification, governance, and reviews.
• User-focused: Understand needs and clearly present our solutions.
• Know the landscape: Medical, research industries, and opportunities.
• Know our strengths: Stay sharp on our services and competitors.
• Seal the deal: Coordinate smooth contract closures.
• Stay tidy: Keep the bid library updated and accessible.
• Keep comms clear: Align stakeholders throughout the process.
• Stay compliant: Follow governance and secure approvals.
• Push for quality: Lead reviews to ensure high-standard submissions.
• Maintain the opportunity pipeline: utilising CRM and creating reports for management.
• Taking the lead on other business development activities, such as award submissions, whitepapers, and sales collateral.
• Supporting every stage of the sales funnel: by working closely with marketing, sales, implementation, and operations teams.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification: What You'll Bring:

• At least two years of proven experience in bid and tender management, preferably within the healthcare (NHS & private), medical, or technology sectors.
• End-to-end bid management experience: A minimum of 4 years' experience leading the whole bid process.
• Preferred qualifications include a degree in Business, Communication, Marketing, Creative Writing, English or equivalent.
• APMP Certification is also desirable.
• Sector versatility: Experience with both public- and private-sector bids in the medical, biotech, biomed, health, and social sectors is preferred.
• Industry knowledge: Understanding of contact centres and/or customer experience is essential.
• Commercial acumen: Strong business sense, negotiation skills, and a hands-on approach.
• Resilience under pressure: Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Detail orientation: High attention to detail to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Growth mindset: Self-motivated, proactive, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator: Confident and articulate, with the ability to build trusted relationships across stakeholders.
• Time management: Skilled at prioritising tasks and managing competing deadlines.

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex and high-stakes journey. impact

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free. You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

• Volunteer/Commission-Based Model
• Remote/Global/UK/EU preferred for time-zone availability
• Executive Leadership role
• 10hrs a week commitment

About Project Yananai

Project Yananai is a global non-profit headquartered in the United Kingdom, with Affiliate Entities and Management Teams in India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities by fostering enduring relationships, enhancing sustainable skills, and delivering compassionate humanitarian aid. We are dedicated to nurturing resilient societies that are self-sufficient and equipped to break cycles of poverty.

Build Yananai’s UK presence and connect UK expertise, partnerships and funding to our global mission.

Project Yananai is looking for an entrepreneurial and highly connected senior leader to build and lead our UK Operations and Partnerships function.

This is a new role with the opportunity to shape how Yananai builds its UK network, develops partnerships, generates funding and connects UK expertise and resources with our international programmes.

Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, you’ll turn ambitious ideas into practical, sustainable programmes and build the relationships and infrastructure needed to make them happen.

What you’ll do

• Build and develop Yananai’s UK operations and partnership network from the ground up.
• Develop our UK Volunteering Access Portal, connecting universities, education providers, professionals, trainers and skilled volunteers with our international Community Learning Hubs.
• Lead the development of UK AI InfoHubs, creating accessible opportunities for communities to develop AI awareness, literacy and skills.
• Build strategic relationships with government, universities, schools, colleges, education providers, businesses, foundations, charities, professional bodies and community organisations.
• Identify and develop funding opportunities across grants, foundations, corporate partnerships and philanthropy.
• Develop compelling proposals, business cases and partnership opportunities.
• Build relationships that bring funding, expertise, volunteers, resources and programme opportunities into Yananai.
• Establish robust governance, safeguarding, risk and compliance systems.
• Build and lead a lean, high-performing UK team as the operation grows.
• Represent Project Yananai externally and help position the organisation within UK and international networks.

About you

We’re looking for a senior leader who is comfortable creating something where there isn’t an established blueprint.

Your background could be in charity, education, international development, social enterprise, technology, business, government or another mission-driven environment.

What matters most is your ability to build relationships, develop opportunities and turn strategy into action.

You’ll ideally bring experience across several of the following:

• Building or scaling a programme, organisation, education initiative or new organisational function.
• Developing strategic partnerships and/or securing funding.
• Working with government, universities, schools, colleges, corporates, foundations, charities or community organisations.
• Programme development and delivery, ideally with an international, education or social-impact focus.
• Senior stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Leading teams, budgets, governance and operational delivery.
• Turning strategy into action and taking ownership in an entrepreneurial environment.

You don't need to be an AI specialist or have a traditional charity background. We’re looking for someone who can bring people, ideas, partnerships, funding and opportunities together — and turn them into meaningful programmes.

Why join Project Yananai?

This is an opportunity to build a UK operation with a genuinely global purpose. You’ll have significant autonomy, direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to shape innovative initiatives from the beginning.

The role is initially offered on a voluntary pathway or commission-based model, with an expected commitment of approximately 10 hours per week, with the intention of building sustainable funding that can support a future contracted position.

If you’re a builder, connector and strategic leader who wants to create something with lasting international impact, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

Chair of the Board of Trustees

The Ripple Pond Charity - Supporting Armed Forces and Veteran Families

A Voluntary Trustee Position
With reasonable expenses reimbursed

Please note that although the closing date for applications is 11 September 2026, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply early, as the recruitment process may close once a suitable appointment is made.

 Help Shape the Future of Support for Military Families

The Ripple Pond is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Chair of our Board of Trustees.

This is an opportunity to lead a unique and growing charity that supports the families and carers of Armed Forces personnel and veterans who have sustained a service-related physical or psychological injury. Through peer support, advocacy, collaboration and innovation, we help military families feel seen, heard and supported throughout their journey.

We are looking for a values-driven leader with strategic vision, strong governance experience and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of military families and the wider Armed Forces community.

About the Role

As Chair, you will lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that The Ripple Pond remains focused on its charitable purpose, strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and fellow Trustees, you will help guide the charity through its next phase of development, strengthening our impact, partnerships and influence across the military, veterans, health and social care sectors.

You will function as an ambassador for the charity, helping to build relationships, influence decision-makers and create opportunities that support lasting positive change for those we support.

Who Are We Looking For?

The Chair of The Ripple Pond leads a small but complex charity that provides support to more than 1,200 Armed Forces and veteran family members across the UK. Around 20% of new Members joining our services live in environments that place them at high risk.

These challenges often arise from complex and overlapping circumstances, including addiction, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns, risk of homelessness and wider welfare needs.

This places significant responsibility on the Chair to provide strong board leadership, support and develop trustees, maintain effective governance and strategic oversight, and work in close partnership with the CEO to ensure the charity remains focused on delivering meaningful impact for military families. The Chair also acts as one of the charity's principal ambassadors and public representatives.

We are seeking an individual with a broad range of experience and perspectives, ideally gained across multiple sectors. This might include commercial business, the public sector, healthcare, social care, the arts, the Armed Forces, emergency services or the voluntary sector.

You will have experience in developing and delivering regional or national strategies that have achieved sustainable and measurable positive outcomes, preferably through collaboration and partnership with a range of stakeholders.

You will have operated at executive or equivalent senior leadership level and be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, where success is achieved through influence, relationships and shared purpose rather than formal authority alone.

You will possess a strong understanding of risk, including strategic, organisational, and people-related risks, and be able to explain complex issues in a way that is clear, practical, and accessible to others.

Most importantly, you will demonstrate humility, integrity and compassion. You will care deeply about people, value the contribution of others and be motivated by a desire to serve the Armed Forces community and improve the lives of military families.

Role Profile

We are seeking an experienced senior leader who can provide effective governance, constructive challenge and confident stewardship to help guide The Ripple Pond through its next phase of development.

The successful candidate will bring:

Experience and Capability

Organisational Leadership and Change

• Significant executive, board-level or equivalent senior leadership experience.
• Experience of leading organisations through growth, transformation or periods of significant change.
• A proven ability to develop and deliver complex strategies, align stakeholders behind a shared purpose and achieve sustainable outcomes.
• The ability to balance organisational ambition, opportunity, risk and long-term sustainability.

 Governance, Finance and Risk

• A strong understanding of governance, accountability and effective board leadership gained through charity trusteeship, corporate governance, public service or other relevant senior leadership experience.
• Experience of supporting effective decision-making, constructive challenge and organisational assurance.
• Financial confidence and literacy, including the ability to understand budgets, financial performance, investment decisions and long-term sustainability.
• An understanding of risk management and the importance of robust oversight.

Influence, Partnerships and Representation

• Experience of building effective partnerships and relationships across sectors.
• The ability to represent an organisation with credibility, authenticity and professionalism.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage and influence a wide range of audiences.

Leadership Style and Values

We are particularly interested in individuals who demonstrate:

Integrity and Accountability
A commitment to ethical leadership, transparency and maintaining the highest standards of governance.

Collaborative Leadership
The ability to build trust, bring people together and create an environment where trustees, Members, workforce, partners and other stakeholders feel valued and able to contribute. You will listen, encourage open discussion and help create a shared sense of purpose both within The Ripple Pond and across the wider community.

Compassion and Respect
An understanding of the experiences of military families and carers, with genuine respect for different perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences.

Courage and Constructive Challenge
You will be confident asking the difficult questions, challenging thinking and encouraging open and honest conversations. You will build trusted internal and strategic relationships, using your influence to ensure the experiences of military families and carers are understood and reflected in wider conversations and decision-making. This will help ensure that The Ripple Pond continues to play its part in shaping a stronger support landscape for military and veteran families.

Self-Awareness and Learning Mindset
A willingness to listen, reflect and continue developing, recognising that effective leadership requires curiosity, humility and openness to new ideas.

Commitment to Our Purpose
A genuine desire to improve the lives of military families, carers and veterans affected by service-related injury. You will understand the importance of lived experience in shaping services, strategy and practice, ensuring that those we support remain central to organisational decision-making.

Experience within the Armed Forces, veterans, healthcare, social care, public service or charity sectors would be beneficial but is not essential.

Safeguarding and Creating a Safe Culture

The Ripple Pond is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all Members, volunteers, staff, trustees and partners. Safeguarding is fundamental to our work, and trustees share responsibility for ensuring that people feel respected, listened to and able to raise concerns.

The Chair will champion a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring the Board maintains appropriate oversight of safeguarding practice, risk management, policies and organisational culture.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Ripple Pond believes that diversity of experience and perspective strengthens our organisation and improves the support we provide. We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including those with relevant lived experience.

The Chair will help ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded throughout governance, decision-making, culture and service development, creating an organisation where everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute.

Time Commitment

The role of Chair is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of Armed Forces and veteran families. While voluntary, it carries significant responsibility and requires a consistent commitment throughout the year.

Key responsibilities include:

• Chairing at least four formal Board meetings annually.
• Participating in occasional committee, strategic planning and development meetings.
• Maintaining regular engagement with the Chief Executive, providing guidance, support and constructive challenge.
• Supporting trustee recruitment, development and succession planning.
• Attending selected events, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
• Acting as an ambassador for The Ripple Pond with partners, funders, supporters and the wider community.
• Providing occasional availability for matters requiring Chair input between scheduled meetings.

Many meetings are held virtually to maximise accessibility and efficiency, although some travel will be required for Board meetings, key events and stakeholder engagement.

Professional Practice

As a national charity supporting over 1,200 military family members across the UK, the Chair will maintain an informed understanding of The Ripple Pond’s work, operating environment, opportunities and risks to provide effective Board leadership and appropriate support and challenge to the Chief Executive.

Applicants should be able to commit sufficient time in line with Charity Commission guidance and recognised principles of good governance. The time requirement will vary throughout the year, with additional involvement likely during periods of strategic development, organisational change or significant emerging issues.

Above all, the Chair will view this not simply as a governance appointment, but as an opportunity to help shape and strengthen an organisation making a lasting difference to military families across the United Kingdom.

Digital Confidence and Ways of Working

The Ripple Pond is a digitally enabled charity, with services, meetings and engagement activity delivered predominantly through online platforms. The Chair should therefore be comfortable working in a digital environment and using technology to support effective governance and communication.

This includes participating in virtual Board meetings, reviewing digital reports and documents, communicating with the Chief Executive and engaging with stakeholders online. Confidence using video conferencing, shared document systems and online collaboration tools is essential to ensure effective participation, timely decision-making and organisational agility.

Term of Appointment

The appointment is for an initial term of three years.

Trustees may be reappointed for further three-year terms up to a maximum of nine years, subject to the charity's governing document and Board approval.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to lead the Board of a growing charity with a clear purpose and a strong commitment to military families across the United Kingdom.

The Ripple Pond exists because the experiences and challenges faced by families caring for injured serving personnel and veterans are often unseen and not fully recognised. As Chair, you will help shape our next chapter, working with an experienced team and community of Members to strengthen our impact, ensure the voices of military families and carers are heard, and help influence wider understanding, services and support.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to support University of Birmingham Guild of Students in their search for their next Chair of Trustees. 

The Guild of Students plays a key and pivotal role in the student experience at Birmingham, offering a range of services and activities which not only help to attract students to the University, but which also contribute to a vibrant student experience, as well as supporting the wider sense of community and belonging.

The breadth of the Guild’s service and activity portfolio is comparable with other large students’ unions in the Russell Group and as an organisation the Guild is well regarded within the sector. As leaders in the field, the Guild has paved the way in key areas such as representation, student groups and societies, social opportunities, events and activities.

About the Chair opportunity

This is a brilliant opportunity to join an award-winning, multifaceted, and complex charity as our next Chair of Trustees. The Trustee Board is collectively responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Guild and ensuring that the Guild works for and with its membership in all that it does.  The Chair’s role is to steward this at the highest level. They act as a role model for the Board, maintaining the highest standards of good governance, with a focus on strategy, risk, and long-term sustainability.

They must ensure a culture of inclusion, trust, and openness where all Trustees contribute their views and expertise, and champion student democracy. The Chair will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, supporting them to achieve the aims and objectives of the Guild’s strategy and vision, and ensure the Guild meets the needs of its diverse student membership.

We are in the final year of the Guild’s 2022-27 strategy (aligned to the University’s priorities under its strategic framework, ‘Birmingham 2030’), making this a formative time as we look beyond 2027, in a challenging time for the Higher Education sector. We are seeking skilled leadership to continue to support us to deliver excellence and are, therefore, looking for an experienced non-executive, with demonstrable experience of supporting organisations at Board level.

The Guild values applications from a wide range of backgrounds that are reflective of the full diversity of Birmingham’s community, in particular from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnicities as we seek to continually enhance diversity within our governance structures.

We would encourage candidates with current or previous experience in charities or the public sector, with experience of chairing meetings and of non-executive leadership, to apply. A connection to the Guild or University and/or to the West Midlands area is also beneficial, but not essential. Full details are outlined in the role description and person specification.