Job Description: Fundraising Officer

Name of projectBlack Country Women’s Aid (BCWA)

Address of projectThe Cedar Centre Sandwell, Landchard House, West Bromwich, B70 8HY

Job titleFundraising Officer

Salary scale£20,849 - £23,997 dependent on qualifications/experience

Responsible toDevelopment and Communications Manager

Job purpose:To deliver a comprehensive fundraising programme to support BCWA’s diverse strands of work

Working hours9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday,37.5 hours per week

Special conditionsMileage allowance

Out of hours work may be required on occasion

General Fundraising
  • To work with the Development and Communications Manager to develop and deliver a comprehensive fundraising programme to include community fundraising, trust applications, individual giving, corporate sponsorship and legacy donations
  • Understand the needs of BCWA and communicate them clearly and consistently to funders
  • Contribute new ideas for fundraising and develop and implement robust processes for identifying potential donors, funders and fundraisers
  • To be an ambassador for BCWA, representing our work to members of the public and supporters
  • To recruit and maintain donors, funders and fundraisers through strong relationship building. This will include meetings, presentations, written communication and utilising appropriate media outlets

Community, events and appeals
  • Growing alternative areas of community fundraising across the Black Country including: schools, universities, golf clubs, Rotaries, faith and community groups, engaging with and motivating the community to support BCWA
  • Recruit, manage and motivate volunteers to undertake fundraising and awareness activities
  • Manage and develop relationships with supporters, delivering excellent levels of supporter care which rewards and motivates supporters to encourage their long term support
  • Development, marketing, delivery of a minimum of three flagship community fundraising events a year
  • To coordinate BCWA Christmas Appeal, as well year-round appeals to secure items(food, toiletries, toys etc) or in-kind support to enable us to meet the needs of our clients

Trusts and Grant-Making Bodies
  • Research and identify funding opportunities from charitable Trusts and Foundations, and statutory sources, and build on an annual calendar of key prospects
  • Develop high-quality, compelling applications addressing grant-making priorities as specified by individual trusts and foundations, as well as core generic trust proposals
  • Source and maintain knowledge of relevant statistical information and use effectively in applications
  • Ensure that supporting documents including budgets, work plans, job descriptions, and case studies are produced to a high standard
  • Build on relationships with existing trust supporters, contributing to reporting as needed and submitting further applications for funding
  • Maintain an accurate record of applications made and outcomes
  • Ensure that monitoring and branding requirements of successful bids are promptly communicated to management teams to ensure delivery of projects as required by the funders

Corporate
  • Identify and approach corporate prospects, securing financial contributions and employee support
  • Manage corporate partnerships, suggesting a number of ways to build on relationships, maximising engagement with employees at all levels
  • Work with corporate partners to deliver events/sponsored challenges to raise funds and promote BCWA

Administration and record keeping
  • To develop and maintain a comprehensive database of key networks, funding agencies, commissioning bodies, donors and other supporters, ensuring accurate information is recorded and ensuring compliance with Data Protection legislation
  • Log all received income/donations accurately and acknowledge funding awards and donations in a timely and consistent manner
  • Maintain organised hard and soft files of all fundraising information
  • Provide administrative support to the Development and Communications Manager as necessary

Communications
  • Support the delivery of BCWA’s communications strategy and action plans
  • Assist with copy writing and for Annual Review, press releases, e-newsletter, and website content
  • Ensure the website fundraising and communications information is up to date and contribute regular fundraising information to BCWA social media platforms
  • Maintain, update and distribute charity fundraising display and distribution materials
  • Through direct engagement with staff and clients, capture case studies, quotes, testimonials, photographs and maintain case study database
  • Assist with design and production of marketing and communications materials as necessary
  • Identify and submit applications for prizes and awards that will raise the profile of BCWA

Monitoring and performance
  • Work with the Contracts and Training Manager to ensure that monitoring and evaluation reports are submitted to project funders within given time-scales, and be pro-active in supplying unsolicited reports and information to funders
  • Work with the Development and Communications Manager to prepare reports for the Executive Director and Board of Trustees where required

General
  • Produced detailed annual action plans on specific areas of responsibility, identifying areas for growth and development and outlining measurable objectives
  • Objectively review the success and achievements against agreed targets, identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas for development
  • Participate in the day to day work of the organisation – such as reporting, attending team and Board meetings as required, and taking a flexible approach to general adminand support tasks
  • Participate in staff appraisals and appropriate training for the role
  • To develop, maintain and represent positive, collaborative working relationships with all BCWA staff.
  • Remain up to date and compliant with all organisational policies, procedures and professional codes of conduct and uphold standards of best practice
  • Any other duties which the Executive Director may feel necessary from time to time. This may include out of hours working where appropriate
It is essential to the development of Black Country Women’s Aid’s service delivery that the post holder is able to respond flexibly to changes in the requirements of the post. This job description is therefore not an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities the post holder may have over time, consultation periods will be sought when changes to the job description are deemed necessary.
Person specification: Fundraising Officer
Criteria / Essential/ desirable / How measured?
1 / Education/ qualifications / 1.1 / Educated to degree level or equivalent (NVQ Level 5), minimum Level 3 / Desirable / Application form
1.2 / Institute of Fundraising or other fundraising qualification / Desirable / Application form
2 / Experience / 2.1 / Experience of fundraising within the voluntary/third sector or local government / Essential / Application form/ interview
2.2 / Understanding and experience of funding streams for work with women, victims of crime, young people, social exclusion, or social development / Essential / Application form/ interview
2.3 / Demonstrable track record in securing funding from trusts and foundations / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.4 / Demonstrable track record in securing funding from individuals, community and event fundraising / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.5 / Demonstrable track record in securing funding from corporate donors / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.6 / Experience of securing legacy donations / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.7 / Experience recruiting and working with volunteer fundraisers / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.8 / Good I.T. and Microsoft Office skills, and working knowledge of social media platforms / Essential / Application form/ interview
2.9 / Experience of using social media for fundraising / Desirable / Application form/ interview
2.10 / Experience of recording, maintaining and managing data on a fundraising database / Desirable / Application form/ interview
3 / Abilities/skills/knowledge / 3.1 / The ability to respond to challenging funding situations with creative thinking and problem solving skills. / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.2 / Excellent writing and communication skills, for different audiences / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.3 / The ability to write compelling, persuasive funding applications/cases for support with clarity and flair / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.4 / Ability to present complex information accurately and precisely / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.5 / Excellent analytical and research skills, attention to detail and ability to learn quickly / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.6 / Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage their own time and prioritise tasks effectively under pressure. / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.7 / Excellent interpersonal skills with a range of people including staff, service users, donors, volunteers and partner organisations / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.8 / Evidence of the ability to build effective relationships, both internally and externally, showing sensitivity for others’ viewpoints and valuing diversity / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.9 / The ability to work effectively as part of a team / Essential / Application form/ interview
3.10 / Ability to deliver effective presentations with the ability to motivate and influence supporters to maximise their fundraising / Essential / Application form/ interview
4 / Personal Characteristics / 4.1 / An interest in social justice and genuine desire to support those affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking, and exploitation / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.2 / A commitment to the work and philosophy of BCWA / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.3 / Confidence and enthusiasm in approaching new people and taking on new tasks; / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.4 / A natural self-starter who has a proven track record of initiating and driving process and meeting targets / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.5 / Demonstrates openness to change and actively seeks solutions to challenges andcomplexities / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.6 / Motivated to complete work to a high standard / Essential / Application form/ interview
4.7 / Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude / Essential / Application form/ interview
5 / General / 5.1 / Prepared for occasional travel / Essential / Application form/ interview
5.2 / Prepared to work unsocial hours as required eg evenings/weekends / Essential / Application form/ interview
5.3 / Driving license / Essential / Application form
5.4 / All candidates must have the right to work in the UK. / Essential / Application form
5.5 / Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies. Due to contact with service users the post holder must be female in accordance with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Part 7 (2) (e). / Essential / Application form