Volunteer Charity Treasurer & Finance Chair

Overview

The objective of Spotlight on Africa (“SoA”) is to improve the livelihoods and opportunities of those in need in Africa through the following activities:

Improved healthcare, improved access to education, improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene, and economic empowerment through relevant skills training. SoA provides grants to Spotlight on Africa-Uganda Foundation (“SoA UF”), a registered international NGO in Uganda, who execute the work and manage the activities in Eastern Uganda.

In this region we have built two primary schools serving 1,400 children, a health clinic treating 50,000 patients annually, and a maternity hospital delivering 1,250 babies safely each year. We drilled 50 deep boreholes supplying clean water to 40,000 people. We have also built two technology centres that provide teachers, students, health workers and tradespeople with essential digital skills and alternative career prospects, and we provide vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, agriculture, hairdressing, and borehole maintenance.

SoA continues to grow and in 2025-26 raised over £1 million from donations and fundraising events. It has governance provided by its UK Board of Trustees chaired by a King’s Counsel, and by the Board of SoA UF, with patrons including the former Chief Justice of Uganda and the Ugandan Ambassador to the UK.

As Treasurer you will chair the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and act as the Charity’s lead voice on financial matters. Working closely with the Chair, Assistant Treasurer and SoA-UF’s Executive Director and Accountant you will help ensure SoA remains financially resilient, well-governed and delivering value by:

• Finance — overseeing planning, budgeting and reporting processes including KPIs; guiding the Trustees and SoA-UF Board in reviewing the monthly management accounts, performance KPIs, and approving annual accounts; advising on the financial implications of strategic decisions; and liaising with external auditors.
• Risk management — providing oversight of internal controls, financial control framework and risk register, and ensuring appropriate insurance and anti-fraud arrangements are in place. Actively managing foreign exchange risks and maximising interest income from deposits. Close stewardship and oversight of the application of grants to SoA-UF through to expenditure on its charitable activities.
• Governance — chairing the Finance Committee, leading the Trustees’ duty to ensure proper financial stewardship, and supporting compliance with Charity Commission and other regulatory requirements. Also supporting SoA-UF Board in ensuring they provide proper financial stewardship and compliance with local laws and regulations.

You will be a qualified accountant with strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate financial information clearly for a Board audience. Beyond the technical qualifications, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Experience of organisational risk management and internal controls, ideally from an international perspective
• A solid understanding of charity governance, trusteeship and the legal duties of a trustee
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to non-finance colleagues and stakeholders
• The leadership skills to chair the Finance committee and bring people together around shared goals
• Willingness to travel occasionally to our projects in Africa
• Above all, a belief that we can deliver sustained change that transforms the lives of the poorest in Africa through our charitable activities.

This is a voluntary, unremunerated role but with reimbursement of travel and other related expenses. The time commitment is:

• Monthly SoA Trustee meetings and quarterly SoA-UF Board meetings
• Monthly Finance meetings with the SoA Chair, SoA Assistant Treasurer, SoA-UF Chairman, SoA-UF Executive Director and SoA Accountant
• An annual UK away day strategy session (weekend day)
• Additional time (average 10 hours a month) for preparing reports, liaising with the Assistant Treasurer, managing FX and deposits and ad hoc matters

The initial term of office is three years but can be extended by mutual agreement.

The final cut off for applications is 5 pm BST Monday 27 July 2026. Please get in touch if you have the right skills, experience and passion for our cause.

To apply, upload your CV and a brief covering letter indicating why you are interested in becoming a Trustee and Treasurer, and how your skills, experience and values match the requirements of this key trustee position.

SoA actively encourages diversity, equity and inclusion, and we look to recruit a diverse range of people to reflect the communities in which we live. We seek a diverse membership of both the trustee body and committees to support our objective of delivering sustained change to the lives of those in Africa.

Thank you for considering this role.