Treasurer Trustee - Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS)

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre; City Of London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A charitable organization in London is seeking a Treasurer to manage financial oversight and report to the board. The role includes overseeing budgets, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and contributing to the charity's strategic direction. Strong candidates will have experience in finance, a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and effective leadership skills. This position requires attendance at quarterly meetings and occasional activities.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in finance, preferably charity finance.
• Ability to listen and engage effectively.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and present budgets and financial statements to the board.
• Ensure proper accounting records and financial resource management.
• Advise on financial viability and strategy of the charity.

Skills

Professional experience in a finance role

Keen sense of strategic purpose

Inclusive leadership style

Effective listening and engagement

Championing advocacy

Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Flexibility in availability

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in becoming the next Treasurer for CARAS?

We are looking for a treasurer to oversee the financial management of the charity and report to the trustees at quarterly meetings about its financial health.

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) works with people of refugee backgrounds to provide practical, educational, and social help. We create supportive relationships, networks, and spaces that enable people to access what they need in order to improve their wellbeing and safety. Our team of staff and volunteers run a large range of activities and services which offer a place of welcome to refugees and asylum seekers, working with them to recognise skills and develop potential.

CARAS has become one of the largest providers of refugee support in South London, including working with large numbers of unaccompanied and separated children. We have responded to changes in demographics and are proud of our ability to remain agile.

Co-chair Role

• Oversee and present budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements to the board
• Ensure that proper accounting records are kept and financial resources are properly controlled, invested in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements
• Oversee the charity’s financial reserves, liaise with the finance manager, CEO and any other relevant members of staff
• Responsible for the financial activities of the organisation
• Chair the finance working group and manage the agenda
• Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity
• Oversee the implementation of and monitor financial controls and adherence to systems
• Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategy
• Liaise with the risk lead regarding financial risk management
• Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and important applications to funders
• Liaise with the independent examiner/auditors

What We Are Looking For

• Professional experience in a finance role (charity finance would be a bonus)
• A keen sense of strategic purpose
• An inclusive leadership style
• The ability to listen and engage effectively
• An advocate to champion CARAS’s work through personal networks and other channels
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Flexibility (as a growing charity, it helps to have co-chairs who are available and responsive)

We encourage applications from people who have been through the UK asylum or immigration system, people of colour, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

Time Commitment

Four meetings per year (in the evenings, alternating between online and at CARAS’s office in Tooting), one away day per year (usually at the weekend), leadership of the finance working group, regular meetings with the finance manager, and occasional attendance at activities (this can be arranged either during the day, in the evenings, or weekends).

To Apply

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to [e-mail]. You can also request a conversation with our co-chairs, Helen Gribble and Keith McGuinnes, if you need more information.

Closing Date

We will assess and respond to applications as they are received.