General Trustee Opportunity at Refugee Biryani & Bananas: Join a Grassroots Charity Board|Deadline 30 Sept 2026

Overview

Refugee Biryani & Bananas is recruiting General Trustees to sit on its Board. The organisation is a female and community-led grassroots group that works with people affected by displacement, war, conflict, injustice and instability, with activity in Greece, Gaza and Cairo. It combines direct humanitarian support with advocacy and awareness-raising, and it involves people with lived experience in decisions and in the design and delivery of its support. The Board is being enlarged to strengthen governance as the charity grows.

Trustees provide oversight rather than running day-to-day operations. They work together to set strategic direction, support sound decisions and keep the charity focused on its mission. Duties include taking an active part in Board business, representing the organisation and helping raise its profile, and occasionally giving practical support where skills and availability allow. Trustees report to the Chair of Trustees.

Who can apply

The charity is looking for people with fresh ideas, good communication skills and an understanding of charity governance, who are comfortable working independently and remotely as well as with trustees, staff and volunteers. Candidates must accept the legal duties and liabilities of trusteeship, share the organisation's values, and know the Charities SORP or be willing to consult it. Impartiality, fairness and respect for confidentiality are expected. Experience with refugees, asylum seekers or displaced communities, or in committee work, fundraising or income generation, is an advantage.

Applications are welcome from people new to charity boards and from groups underrepresented in governance, including disabled people, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from the global majority. Lived experience of migration or asylum is welcomed but is not the only route to a strong application.

What you get

The role is voluntary and unpaid, though reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed under the volunteer policy. The commitment is roughly six to eight hours a month, with Board meetings about every 12 weeks by video call and some chances to meet in person. Trustees are appointed for an initial three years and may be reappointed. Appointment follows a DBS or police check, references and a three-month induction.

How to apply

Applicants send a CV with full contact details and a short covering letter setting out their motivation, the skills they would bring and how they meet the role description, by email to the named contact with the subject line General Trustee Application.

Key dates

The application deadline is 30 September 2026.