Trustee Vacancy: Treasurer, ORP-Kenya
Job reference: ORPKTTR002
Kenya based, 100% remote working
This position is voluntary and unpaid
3 year appointment
12-15 hours per month + quarterly meetings
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
Help shape the future of ocean & sea turtle conservation
Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research, and educational outreach. At the core of our work is a passionate and dedicated team of scientists, conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers. ORP is at the forefront of sea turtle conservation, influencing local policy makers, fishing communities and collaborating with research institutes. We are headquartered in the UK and have bases in Kenya, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, and Seychelles.
We are a growing and ambitious charity at the forefront of sea turtle conservation, working alongside fishing communities, researchers, and policymakers to create practical, evidence-based solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing our oceans. At the heart of ORP is a passionate, collaborative team united by a shared purpose and a deep respect for the natural world.
Our journey in Kenya began in 2018 with just one team member and a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats in the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve along the south coast of Kenya. What started with simple monitoring dives and small-scale education sessions has since grown into a dedicated team driving impactful long-term research, community-powered conservation, and marine awareness programmes across the Kenyan coast.
In 2024, ORP-Kenya, a branch of ORP, became a locally registered NGO (NGO-EPFPJ6), with its headquarters in Diani Beach.
ORP-Kenya is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Treasurer to join the Board of Trustees.
Why become a trustee for ORP-Kenya?
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the protection of our environment, oceans and precious sea turtles, while helping to shape the future of an organisation committed to conservation.
Trustees are motivated by many different things. Some are passionate about the cause and want to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience to benefit an organisation they have an interest in. For others, it offers an opportunity to take on a rewarding challenge, broaden their experience, and develop new skills.
As a trustee, you will play an important role in helping to lead ORP-Kenya as the Board of Trustees are responsible for directing the affairs of the NGO and ensuring that it remains solvent, well managed and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up. You will join our passionate team at a key time when we are expanding our mission and strengthening our impact. You will be using your skills, expertise and experience to help shape the strategic direction of the NGO through these exciting times, ensuring good governance and accountability as we carry out our purposes and achieve our goals. You will also be acting as an ambassador for all aspects of our work.
What’s in it for you?
This is a great opportunity to gain board-level experience while playing an active role in shaping, getting involved and supporting every aspect of the NGO. You will have the opportunity to use your professional skills for a meaningful cause, contributing your ideas, knowledge and expertise to the NGO, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to help strengthen the NGO and advance its mission. You will be engaged in something purposeful, vital and stimulating as part of a dynamic team.
By providing financial management and guidance to ORP-Kenya, its employees and its volunteers, you will be helping to ensure that ORP-Kenya is able to continue protecting sea turtles (most remaining species are threatened with extinction) and their habitats and, by extension, contributing to a cleaner ocean and greener planet.
About the Treasurer Trustee role
ORP-Kenya is seeking an experienced, Kenya-based Treasurer to join its Board of Trustees and provide financial oversight and practical leadership. The role involves managing the NGO’s financial affairs, ensuring its financial sustainability and maintaining appropriate financial records, controls, and procedures. The Treasurer will also provide advice and hands-on support to the Kenya branch, helping guide its activities and ensuring accountability to the UK-registered Olive Ridley Project charity.
Trustees play an active role in the governance and day-to-day running of the organisation
The position is voluntary and unpaid.
The three particular duties of a trustee, as set out by the Public Benefit Organizations Regulatory Authority, are the duty of obedience through monitoring compliance; duty of care and skill; and duty of loyalty and resource protection.
Trustees must:
- Ensure that ORP-Kenya is, and remains, solvent.
- Ensure that management uses funds and assets reasonably, and in accordance with ORP-Kenya’s objectives, which are set out in the PBO’s Regulatory Authority Alignment.
- Exercise a high standard of care, skill and diligence, especially relative to their specific expertise, when managing ORP-Kenya and its institutional risk.
- Avoid undertaking activities that might place OPR-Kenya’s funds, assets or reputation at unnecessary risk.
- Take special care when investing or borrowing funds for ORP-Kenya to use.
- Understand and ensure ORP-Kenya operates exclusively for its registered public benefit purpose.
- Submit annual returns, audited financial statements, and updated project plans as well as KRA Tax and eTIMS Compliance.
Specific duties for the Treasurer will include:
- All aspects of financial management and control, including creating financial information, data, and reports, budgets, and statements, annual accounts, and dealing with the bank and Charity Commission in financial matters;
- Overseeing and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements to the Trustee Board;
- Liaising with designated staff about financial matters;
- Ensuring that accounts meet the conditions of contractual agreements with external agencies such as funders and statutory bodies;
- Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic and operational plans;
- Advising on all the organisation’s policies, including reserves policy, and any specific matters arising;
- Ensuring annual returns, audited financial statements and updated project plan are submitted, as well as compliance with KRA Tax and eTIMS;
- Continued review of the current status of ORP-Kenya and how it is being run;
- Overseeing everything ORP-Kenya does and helping the Country Manager lead the NGO;
- Ensuring ORP-Kenya complies with PBORA law requirements and other relevant legislation that apply to the NGO;
- Managing and ensuring ORP-Kenya and its trustees, employees, and volunteers use the NGO’s resources responsibly;
- Ensuring the NGO is accountable, particularly when tasks or decisions are delegated to staff or volunteers;
- Helping to raise funds for the NGO and manage donors, as well as complying with the POCAMLA Act;
- Advising on strategic development;
- Working collectively as a group to ensure the best outcome for ORP-Kenya; and
- Representing and acting as an ambassador for the NGO.
Experience required
- Experience in accounting and/or finance and financial management is mandatory.
- Previous charitable and business experience at an appropriate level is highly desirable.
- Previous experience as an NGO/PBO trustee in a Kenyan or International organisation would be an advantage.
- Commitment is a must.
- Based in Kenya.
- An interest in marine life and ocean conservation is desirable.
Time commitment
As a small but growing NGO with energy and ambition, we need Trustees who are willing to be hands-on and able to invest a suitable amount of time on a flexible basis each month. The successful applicant will be able to commit approximately 12-15 hours per month to their role. In addition, we require participation in quarterly trustee board meetings, which take place via video conferencing due to the international nature of our operations. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years with the possibility to renew.
How to apply
If you are interested in joining the ORP-Kenya Board of Trustees team as a Treasurer and possess the skills and experience needed for this rewarding opportunity, please forward your current CV, along with a covering letter stating your motivation for applying for the role and how you feel your skills and experience could be of benefit to ORP-Kenya, to sahya.haria@oliveridleyproject.org by 30 November 2026.
Please include Job Reference ORPKTTR002 and Your Full Name in the email subject line.
Equal opportunities
ORP-Kenya is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
