Volunteer Chief Operating Officer in London

Location: Remote (UK-based preferred)

Position: Volunteer (with progression to paid consultancy/employment as funding is secured)

Time Commitment: Approximately 8–12 hours per week (flexible)

Reports to: Founder & Director, Dr Fiona Igwe

About Fionita's Project

Fionita's Project CIC is an award‐winning social enterprise dedicated to promoting and educating individuals and communities globally on life‐saving skills and essential health knowledge to reduce preventable deaths and vulnerability.

Core Pillars:

• Emergency First Aid & Response Training
• Community first aid training
• First Aid Community Champions (FACC)
• School and youth programmes
• Event medical services
• AI-powered first aid innovation
• Community Health Education
• Sexual health awareness
• Maternal health education
• Mental health awareness
• Medical outreach programmes
• Community Empowerment
• Digital skills programmes
• Provisions Pack Project (PPP)
• Community support initiatives

Our projects span the UK and Sub‐Saharan Africa, with current programmes in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and the UK.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and strategic Volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help lead the operational growth of Fionita's Project during an exciting phase of expansion. This is an opportunity to join the organisation's senior leadership team and play a pivotal role in building sustainable systems, strengthening governance, expanding our first aid training programmes, and supporting our long‐term vision of becoming a globally recognised provider of community‐based first aid and health education. The successful candidate will work closely with the Founder to translate strategy into action and help establish the organisation as an approved first aid training centre.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership
• Support the implementation of the organisation's strategic plan.
• Develop operational systems and processes.
• Monitor organisational performance and project delivery.
• Help scale programmes across the UK and internationally.
• Identify opportunities for sustainable organisational growth.
• Operations Management
• Oversee day‐to‐day operational activities.
• Develop policies and standard operating procedures.
• Improve organisational efficiency and quality assurance.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within agreed objectives.
• First Aid Training Development
• Support the development of Fionita's Project as an approved first aid training centre.
• Lead or support applications to awarding organisations such as Highfield Qualifications or Qualsafe Awards.
• Assist with trainer recruitment and quality assurance systems.
• Help establish governance required for regulated training delivery.
• Partnership Development
• Build relationships with corporate partners, funders, NGOs, government organisations, and educational institutions.
• Support sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Represent the organisation at meetings and networking events where appropriate.
• Governance & Compliance
• Ensure operational compliance with relevant policies.
• Support safeguarding, quality assurance, and risk management.
• Assist with reporting to funders and partners.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Previous experience in operations management, project management, or organisational leadership.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience developing operational systems and processes.
• Strong leadership and decision‐making skills.
• Experience working within charities, CICs, social enterprises, healthcare, education, or community organisations.
• Based in the UK.

Desirable:

• Qualified First Aider or First Aid Trainer.
• Experience running or managing a first aid training organisation.
• Experience working with regulated qualifications.
• Knowledge of Highfield Qualifications, Qualsafe Awards, or other awarding organisations.
• Experience establishing or managing approved training centres.
• Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) qualification or experience.
• Teaching qualification (e.g. Level 3 Award in Education and Training).
• Experience in health and safety training.
• Experience with fundraising, sponsorship, or grant management.
• Experience working internationally or within global health programmes.

What You'll Gain:

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact while developing your leadership profile. Benefits include:

• Executive leadership experience within an international social enterprise.
• Opportunity to shape organisational strategy and growth.
• Opportunity to build an internationally recognised first aid training programme.
• Involvement in innovative projects, including our AI‐powered first aid initiative.
• Networking opportunities with public health professionals, funders, corporate partners, and international organisations.
• Professional references and LinkedIn recommendation upon successful contribution.
• Opportunity for progression into a paid consultancy or salaried leadership position as funding is secured.

Our Current Priorities:

• Launch the First Aid Community Champions programme internationally.
• Become an approved regulated first aid training centre.
• Develop sustainable income through accredited training.
• Expand partnerships across the UK and Africa.
• Build operational systems that support long‐term organisational growth.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a short covering statement explaining why you are interested in the role (maximum one page). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 20–30 minute online interview via Microsoft Teams.

Join us in equipping communities with life‐saving skills and essential health knowledge, helping to reduce preventable deaths and build healthier, more resilient communities worldwide.