UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Company Secretary in Manchester

This is an unpaid volunteering role. The Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteer-led think tank that supports and advocates for blockchain technology in the global fight against climate change. We are seeking a dynamic, self-starting volunteer to join our organisation as Company Secretary. The role reports to the General Counsel and involves operational and administrative tasks, ensuring meetings are effectively organised and minuted, maintaining records, and upholding the legal requirements of governing documents, charity law, and company law.

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that the BCI’s corporate entities are administered correctly (including making all necessary corporate filings);
• Liaising with the Director General & General Counsel to plan meetings;
• Receiving agenda items from Executive Committee members;
• Drafting and circulating agendas, discussion papers, and reports;
• Taking minutes at Executive Committee meetings;
• Circulating approved minutes;
• Checking that agreed actions are carried out;
• Keeping up-to-date contact details (i.e., names, addresses, and telephone numbers) of the Executive Committee and BCI Fellows;
• Filing minutes and reports;
• Maintaining a diary of future meetings;
• Producing research briefings for distribution within BCI and (possibly) externally;
• Assisting in the management of projects on blockchain and various climate change policy areas.

Core Competencies:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to synthesise complex discussions into concise, accurate minutes and reports;
• Meticulous attention to detail, strong organisational discipline, and the ability to balance competing demands and deadlines;
• Professional, respectful stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-moving volunteer environment;
• Resilience under pressure and commitment to working to established policies and procedures.

Requirements Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;
• Excellent English writing;
• The highest levels of attention to detail;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to balance competing work demands;
• Respectful and effective interpersonal relations;
• Ability to analyse and synthesise complex topics of discussion and write them up in concise minutes;
• Ability to work under pressure and keep deadlines for the preparation of documentation for the Executive Committee;
• Ability to work according to policies and procedures.

General & Specialist Knowledge:

• Advanced Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive;
• Basic knowledge of Airtable and/or Trello;
• Some knowledge on topics central to the BCI, such as climate change, climate finance, and blockchain technology, is preferred.

Education & Training:

• Qualified Company Secretary and/or Solicitor with extensive company law knowledge or similar;
• Experience with project administration or management.

Relevant Experience:

• 2+ years of experience as a company secretary;
• Experience in working independently and with teams to meet deadlines on time.

Benefits:

• You will hone or learn new skills including research, presentation, writing, professional etiquette;
• Your mind will be mentally stimulated, hence providing you with a sense of purpose;
• You will advance and boost your professional career by helping you to make professional connections and giving you real-world experience at the intersection between climate and emerging technologies;
• Help you develop long-lasting professional relationships with others. People who come together to make the world a better place forge a close connection.