Senior Programmes Fundraiser

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Programme Fundraiser to join Start Network to support our Bangladesh and Nepal programmes. Based in UK, this is a critical role within our Resource Mobilisation Team, focusing on raising new income for the two programmes, while providing an excellent donor experience to existing funders. Both of these nationally led contingency funds are part of Start Network’s flagship programme, Start Fund, and are currently supported mainly by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The role will support the management of relations with FCDO for these programmes while driving the diversification of funding to other institutional donors and private funding such as corporates, trusts and foundations to ensure sustainability. The post holder will also focus on donor mapping, writing proposals, pitching to donors, donor event planning, and ongoing donor engagement and donor reporting.

We are looking for candidates who have significant experience of high value fundraising within the humanitarian/development sector. Candidates should have experience working with institutional donors such as FCDO, and experience in new business development, bid writing and donor reporting. Candidates must be excellent communicators, both oral and written, and able to build relationships across international and remote-working teams and with potential donors.

Please note the role is offered on a fixed term 2 year contract, 35 hours per week and salary starting from £36,300 per annum with benefits.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

FCDO new business case development (Bangladesh)

• Support the SFB Country Manager to secure the new FCDO business case (April 2022 onwards).
• Prepare all required materials, as necessary liaising with SFB, the Fund Team, and the MEAL team.
• Engage FCDO in the process of developing this new business case, making sure they are invested in this new stage of the programme

Case for support and marketing materials

• Developing a standard case for support for SFB and SFN
• Work with the SFB and SFN teams to develop a series of case studies (impact stories) for sharing with donors
• Develop slide decks aligned to the strategic objectives of donors
• Support, as required, the development of additional communications products including brochures and website content

Fundraising plan for Start Fund Bangladesh and Start Fund Nepal

• Develop a plan for diversification of funding, in consultation with SFB, SFN, the Resource Mobilisation Team, and other parts of the Network as necessary
• Identification of key geographic target markets for SFB and SFN
• Prospect donors in those identified markets and have a clear strategy in place for the various type of donors
• Organise donor round table/prospecting events
• Draft and submit proposals in cooperation with SFB and SFN Managers
• Work closely with SFB and SFN teams and the Start finance team to ensure that donor funding requirements are met

Reporting and engagement of existing donors

• Work with in-country teams to submit grant reports for donors, following their guidance
• Work closely with Start Network finance team to make sure financial reports follow donor guidelines and submit according to reporting timings
• Support the SFB and SFN teams with ongoing engagement of existing donors, including regular update calls and correspondence.
• Support the planning and execution of donor visits as required

Supporting and incentivising country facing partner engagement

• Provide leadership, advice and support on donor engagement and positioning to team in Bangladesh and Nepal
• Increase donor/partner intelligence and insights leveraged with country teams
• Support SFB and SFN Managers and team to execute prospecting calls and approaches

PERSON PROFILE

Essential Skills and Experience
We are seeking candidates who bring an interesting combination of skills and experience in the following:

• Government funding
• New business development
• Bid writing
• Strategic thinking
• Donor reporting
• Building relationships across international and remote-working teams
• Project management
• Resilience
• Identifying opportunities and taking calculated risks to capitalise on opportunities that further our purpose and mission without compromising our vision
• Inspiring and motivating others by creating passion around our vision and focus, connecting with humility and empathy, and showing openness and resilience
• Actively promoting collaboration by spotting and breaking down barriers to siloed working, connecting colleagues, teams and initiatives

Key Competencies

• Flex communication style to convey complex information concisely to different audiences, avoiding jargon and using simple language
• Deliver results with awareness of impact on others internally and externally by considering the positions and perspectives of relevant stakeholders
• Build trust by showing commitment to your role, explaining your thought processes, checking your reactions and encouraging others to share their insights
• Embrace diverse perspectives by using collaborative language, recognising and taking account of power dynamics
• Seek to understand and act upon own areas for growth, reflecting and learning from things that have not gone so well by showing vulnerability and openness to change
• Able to reprioritise and shift focus in response to changing needs of the organisation or network by being aware of how your role sits in the system

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Centrally located WeWork office with onsite drinks and snacks available free of charge
• Flexible working with options to work from home and remotely
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies, particularly maternity pay
• Training and development opportunities for individuals and cross-organisationally
• 25 days’ holiday plus 2 company days over the Christmas period

ABOUT START NETWORK

We are tackling what we believe are the biggest systemic problems that the humanitarian sector faces. Start Network’s vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at-risk of crises. We aim to achieve this vision by making systemic-level shifts in the way humanitarian assistance is approached and delivered. To achieve this, we need a substantial change to the current structure evolving from the centralised structure of today to a dispersed, international network of hubs operating nationally and regionally. Our aims are to see:

LOCALLY-LED ACTION: We believe that a more balanced international aid system, which shifts power to those closest to the front-line, will generate more effective and appropriate responses for people affected by crises.

NEW FORMS OF FINANCING: Our pooled funds enable fast and early action to tackle the kind of crises that are often overlooked by other funding mechanisms. Our risk financing pilots are introducing new ways of working that can save even more lives.

INNOVATION: New ways of working are needed to tackle the challenges we face. By innovating collectively, we can share expertise, insights and perspectives to shape a more effective humanitarian system.

We are evolving into a decentralised “network of networks” in line with our vision. We are currently working with five national and regional hubs made up of civil society organisations in Pakistan, DRC, Guatemala, India and the Pacific. They are developing locally owned ways of anticipating and responding to humanitarian crises. We aim to support the emergence and development of further hubs in the coming years. Our ultimate ambition is to devolve leadership and decision making to the hubs, while the central team transitions to become a service provider.