Fundraising Officer, RSPB NI

Job Description

Do you have the passion, drive, professionalism, and enthusiasm to raise funds to support nature and people in Northern Ireland for the RSPB, and play your part in helping protect our wonderful wildlife? We’re offering a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in fundraising and project management as part of our dedicated fundraising team. If you are enthusiastic about the RSPB’s mission and can demonstrate your talents and transferable skills for fundraising we would like to hear from you.

We are looking for a well-organised, friendly, energetic and helpful fundraising officer. You will be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and enjoy getting things done whilst working as part of a team. With a keen eye for detail, you are both confident in managing financial and other numerical information and you are a persuasive and versatile writer. You are confident in presenting your case in 121 or small group situations and you have proven ability to manage competing priorities to tight deadlines.

What's the role about?

The post holder will work with colleagues across RSPB to help ensure our funders have an excellent partnership experience with us, increasing their understanding and awareness of RSPB's work in saving nature. You will be responsible for planning and attending meetings and events to manage funder and partner relationships. This role involves preparing and submitting grant claims to external funding bodies, securing income to support our work from grant-making trusts, foundations, and other grant makers.

Key role activities will include;

• Identify potential external funding sources and match these to agreed priority work on our nature reserves and projects in support of the RSPB's aim to save nature.

• Complete funding bids tailored to external funding bodies to secure income to fund and grow RSPB work

• Compile financial claims and monitor and report progress on project delivery to stakeholders. Plus identify action needed against KPIs to ensure appropriate oversight of income streams.

• Monitor and ensure accurate administration of funding to ensure effective governance and transparency

• Update and make use of contact databases to ensure accurate records are kept to facilitate effective funder management across the organisation

• Work with colleagues from across the RSPB to ensure our funders have an excellent supporter experience with us. Raising their awareness and understanding of RSPB.

• Identify the requirements of our funders, including the communications requirements, and manage the delivery of any funding conditions to optimise opportunities and build effective relationships

• Produce regular reports to assess progress and action needed against KPIs to ensure agreed annual performance targets are met

• Plan and attend appropriate meetings and events to manage funder and partner relationships and advocate the work of the RSPB to grow support in order to save nature.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

Understanding of fundraising (grants, trusts, businesses), donor and supporter motivations

Sales and/or fundraising experience

Excellent written skills

Ability to interpret complex information and communicate it simply to target audiences

Persuasive communicator and negotiator with the ability to influence

Ability to work under own initiative, with the confidence to ask for support & direction when needed

Solutions focused approach, with the ability to overcome setbacks in order to get the right outcome for the RSPB

Ability to organise oneself effectively and prioritise work to get the right things done

Ability to deliver a high level of customer service to a variety of audiences

Competent user of core Microsoft Office software

Proven experience of relationship development in an outward facing role

Strong team worker

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Interest/passion for nature

Degree or equivalent

Professional or academic qualification in fundraising

Experience of working with volunteers

Understanding of the charity sector and associated fundraising techniques

Understanding and application of project management principles

This is a permanent role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 28th June 2023. For further information please contact darren.roberts@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.