Volunteer Trustee (Fundraising Lead)

What will you be doing?

Our Journey Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB) was formed initially as an informal grassroots group, in response to the escalation of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015. We were a group of friends who decided to cook and distribute 2,500 portions of biriyani and bananas for all residents of the unofficial refugee camp in Dunkirk, Northern France. Over the years, our work has grown and the charity has gone through several stages of development and professionalisation.  At times, RBB has been a highly mobile organisation, providing humanitarian assistance in refugee and IDP camps, squats, and other unstable settlements along the migratory pathways in France, Greece, Iraq, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey, Poland, and the Ukraine Border.  Our current main bases of operations are in Athens and Chios Island in Greece- where we have been operating since 2017. We have built deep connections with the community of displaced people living there. Due to our size, and nimble operating model we are able to adapt to shifting needs on the ground, filling in gaps that larger NGOs miss. This has included running a free shop, alongside more conventional aid distributions, advocacy and signposting. We are enmeshed in the interconnected network of organisations operating in the region, cooperating and coordinating to ensure effective support in difficult conditions.  In 2022 a new board were appointed to drive a new phrase of development. Our focus has been on building sound financial and governance processes and hiring our first full time staff, while ensuring effective impact. Due to trends in the fundraising environment, the board concluded that additional expertise is needed in this area to ensure ongoing sustainability, alongside recruiting some paid fundraising capacity. Our primary income at the moment comes from grants, with the other notable segment coming from individual giving - though grants are now becoming smaller and harder to source. Who we are looking for We envisage this role being taken up by an early career fundraising specialist, who is looking for an opportunity to get experience on a board and working on strategy. As an international board supporting a charity that operates primarily outside of the UK, you will need to be comfortable working primarily as part of a remote team - though we do aim to meet in person at most once a year (expenses of this are covered in line with our policies). 

What are we looking for?

Essential 

Be eligible to hold a trustee position in UK Charity Law Understanding of the grant writing sector in the UK.  Experience leading fundraising or income generation in the charitable sector through at least one of the following channels - trusts and foundations/grant applications, major donors, individual giving, corporate partnerships, events/community fundraising Ability to work effectively in a diverse, remote team. Good communication and interpersonal skills Ability to think creatively, with sound judgement Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences  A commitment to learn more about the charity, our context, history and challenges and to helping us improve. 

Desirable: 

Insight/experience or working with people who are refugees and asylum seekers and/or the migratory pathway Experience on a trustee board or of charitable law Experience in communications

What difference will you make?

This role is a key component of our ongoing plans for sustainability and growth. As recent news has shown us, the refugee crisis is not over - and the need for our work on the ground has not gone away. We are determined therefore to forge a path that allows us to continue our mission of dignified and equitable provision of urgent humanitarian aid for displaced people.  This role is a key component of our plan to do just that - and will lead the development of our fundraising strategy and support our CEO and wider team to implement it. We are looking for someone who is energised by these challenges - and who can help spread that energy and passion with them.