Charity Trustee and Honorary Treasurer

An opportunity to step into a high-impact charity leadership role and to shape the charity's future during an exciting phase of evaluating a potential merger as a pathway to organisational growth.

Mavar's current Treasurer will be stepping down at the end of 2026, after completing his tenure. Driven by the outgoing Treasurer and a new CEO who joined Mavar in April 2026, the charity is nearing completion of a significant back-office overhaul, strengthening its financial management, governance and administrative infrastructure.

Mavar is also currently in active discussions regarding a potential merger with another charity in the sector. The Treasurer will provide financial advice and oversight throughout this process.

Mavar's Mission

Founded on the belief that everyone has the right to choose their own path in life, Mavar's central mission is to empower individuals who choose to explore opportunities beyond the strictly orthodox (Charedi) Jewish community to develop and fulfil their personal goals. Mavar supports the efforts of its members (i.e. service users) to achieve independence, live authentically and cope with the obstacles they may encounter as they explore options to live, work or study in the wider world.

Mavar is not associated with any faith-based community or organisation. Operating across the UK, our service is confidential, impartial and free. Mavar neither advocates leaving nor remaining - we assist without judgment. That said, most members will be questioning their life in the Charedi community or have decided to leave the community.

Mavar helps by offering confidential, one-on-one mentoring and guidance to those who turn to us in desperate need of support and advice. We assist on all aspects of life - first and foremost education, but also legal advice, housing, referral to counselling and financial assistance.

Role

The Honorary Treasurer is a Trustee with responsibility for providing financial oversight, governance and advice to the Trustee Board. This is of course a pro-bono role. Mavar's Trustees are legally responsible for the governance of the charity. Trustees have a collective responsibility - they work together for the best interests of Mavar and its members (i.e. service users).

The Treasurer works with Mavar's CEO and the charity's bookkeeper to ensure that the Board has a clear understanding of Mavar's financial position, and that appropriate financial controls, budgets and reporting arrangements are in place. The day-to-day operations of Mavar are conducted by staff and volunteers under the leadership of our CEO and with the overall oversight of the Trustee Board.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Oversight

• Lead the setting and monitoring of realistic and financially viable budgets.
• Monitor Mavar's financial position, cash flow, reserves and significant financial risks.
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of significant decisions.
• Ensure Mavar's funds and assets are properly managed and used in accordance with its charitable objectives.

Controls and Reporting

• Ensure appropriate financial controls and authorisation arrangements are in place.
• Work with the bookkeeper to create and/or review regular financial reports and ensure the Board receives clear and relevant financial information.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual accounts and liaise with the independent examiner.
• Ensure significant financial or accounting issues are brought to the Board's attention.

Support of Current Merger Discussions

• Provide financial input and advice throughout the merger discussions.
• Contribute to financial due diligence and assessment of financial risks, liabilities, costs and opportunities.
• Challenge financial assumptions and proposals and help protect Mavar's charitable assets and interests.
• Support financial planning and integration should the merger proceed.

Person Specification

Essential

• Commitment to the charity's mission and values
• Familiarity with the Jewish cultural context
• Understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of charity trusteeship
• Strong relevant financial experience and sound judgement
• Ability to understand and constructively challenge financials and explain them to the Board

Desirable

• Experience as a charity Trustee and/or Treasurer
• Experience of charity mergers
• Qualified accountant or corporate financial experience
• Familiarity with Xero
• Lived-in experience in the Charedi community