RSPB Fundraising Direct
Vacancy pack
Important information for overseas applicants
Applications from candidates who require a certificate of sponsorship under the UK ‘Points Based’ system of entry may not be considered if there are a sufficient number of other suitable candidates. This is because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they recruit an individual from overseas. For further information, please visit the Home Office (UK Border Agency) website.
This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:
Useful Information
Details on how we use CV’s, shortlisting and pre-employment checks and UK Identification requirements
Applicant letter
Details on how to apply
Job description
A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities
Working for RSPB Fundraising Direct
RSPB Fundraising direct pay structure
Our basic salary and commission structure
Person specification
A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet
Useful Information
Shortlisting
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.
All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.
As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering opportunities across the organisation.
Pre- employment Checks
All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of UK Residency, Satisfactory Pre Employment Health Check, Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Check
RSPB Fundraising Direct
Maritime House, Basin Road North, Hove, East Sussex, BN41 1WR
Dear Applicant
Field Fundraiser - RSPB Fundraising Direct
Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. Please see enclosed the job description, person specification and other background information about RSPB Fundraising Direct.
RSPB Fundraising Direct is a new business unit under the RSPB's trading subsidiary, RSPB Sales Ltd, and provides supporter recruitment services to the charity's marketing and fundraising teams.
The role of the Field Fundraiser is to attend private sites and events delivering, high volume, high quality, low attrition, new memberships for the RSPB.
If you have seen this vacancy advertised on the RSPB website, please refer to Working for RSPB Fundraising Direct information sheet.
If you require any further information about this post please contact our recruitment team on 01273 704880
To apply, please send us a CV, along with a covering letter explaining why you feel you are suitable for this role, and how you meet the person specification to by the closing date advertised.
We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they are in contact with RSPB Fundraising Direct as the post you have applied for may involve contact with children and has significant financial responsibilities additional checks at the interview and offer stage of the recruitment process, will be carried out. These can include checking id, and taking up references.
We are currently recruiting on an ongoing basis across the country (with further expansion plans in the future). Upon receipt of suitable application forms we will conduct interviews, induction and training sessions at suitable locations across the regions.
As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted.
We look forward to receiving your application in due course.
Keely winch
Recruitment and HR Manager
RSPB Fundraising Direct
Job Description
Job Title:Field Fundraiser
Location of Job: Home based with travel to venues within 90 minutes of your home address
Post holder reports to:Area Manager
Key Working Relationships:Operations Manager, Area Manager, Recruitment & HR Team, Venue Coordinator.
1. Overall Purpose of the Job:
To represent the parent charity, the RSPB, conveying key messages and campaigns to the public and potential supporters, with the aim of securing, high volume, high quality new memberships with low attrition rates.
2. Main Duties:
- Attend private sites to engage with the public to gain support for the RSPB through recruitment of new members
- To achieve your target of 3 new RSPB members per shift, ensuring your contractual minimum of 2 new RSPB members per shift is attained.
- Attend Pre-arranged small-scale events; this will involve carrying equipment to sites and setting it up, dealing with last-minute changes and adapting to these developments without disruption to the purpose of the event.
- You will be responsible for complying fully with the Data Protection Act. This includes keeping records securely in such a manner as to protect the confidentiality of any information disclosed and retaining no records of any RSPB donors after submitting the forms to the office.
- Represent the RSPB in a professional and informed manner at all times, whether engaging with members of the public, RSPB staff & volunteers, or any other supporters.
- Carry out all of your responsibilities in line with the PFRA (Public Fundraising Regulatory Association) guidelines.
- Provide accurate reports and tally sheets to the RSPB Fundraising Direct office on recruitment activities and results in line with management requirements.
- Provide own means of reaching agreed work sites with all necessary equipment. You will be expected to travel regularly to events, these will generally be within 90 minutes travelling time of your base. You will be reimbursed for all reasonable travel expenses.
- The nature of the role will require working unsocial hours including weekends, Bank Holidays and some evenings. Occasionally you will be required to stay away from home to attend recruitment events in other parts of the country, or for training and conferences.
- Support and provide information to the public on key national and regional campaigns and PR initiatives of the parent charity, the RSPB; such as the Sumatra rainforest campaign, the Marine Bill, Big Garden Birdwatch and Feed the Birds Day.
- Liaise cooperatively with RSPB Fundraising Direct, and RSPB training staff to develop your skills and knowledge that will aid in your recruitment success.
- Attend training and induction days as required.
- Identify new potential events for RSPB Fundraising Direct recruitment.
Other:
We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.
RSPB Fundraising Direct is a division of RSPB Sales Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and provides supporter recruitment services to the charity's marketing and fundraising teams.
RSPB Fundraising Direct
Working for RSPB Fundraising Direct
RSPB Fundraising Direct (RFD) was set up in 2009 and is the RSPB's own fundraising agency.
It was set up to combine the best of the agency culture together with all the advantages of working directly for the RSPB, Europe's largest conservation organisation and one of the most respected names in the UK.
The RSPB is no stranger to face-to-face activity. Back in Victorian times it was one of the first street campaigning organisations.
More recently, the RSPB has evolved this form of community campaigning into recruiting new members to the charity through face-to-face engagement on RSPB nature reserves, at country fairs, farmers' markets and most recently at private sites like shopping centres and supermarkets. This is where RFD comes in.
RFD has a fantastic Venues team which books spots at recruitment venues across the country, allowing our face-to-face fundraisers to turn up, inspire the public and raise money for wildlife.
Since 2009 we have been expanding our efforts and currently employ over 60 fundraisers across the region, with our head office in Portslade, East Sussex.
Our fundraisers are a passionate, pioneering and professional group, from varied and diverse backgrounds and are attracted by the great benefits, progressive training and excellent working culture that we offer. Our fundraisers are passionate about conservation and have come to us with the drive to become successful fundraisers, raising more money for the vital work the RSPB does.
Whatever path you have taken to get here, it's your future we are interested in.
What it's like?
Working for RFD is not like any other fundraising role – firstly, you're working directly for the charity, so you know that 100 per cent of the money you raise is going straight to the RSPB.
You're permanently focusing on just one organisation, so you develop a deeper understanding and connection with the work the RSPB does. You can take real pride every time you see the RSPB in the news or on Springwatch, knowing 'I made that happen'. You'll get the most up-to-date briefings from the press office and the newest fundraising materials from the marketing department.
You'll get a guaranteed salary each week so you can ensure the regular bills are paid, and high-flyers can expect market-leading commission every month. You'll also be paid for all of your training and reimbursed for your travel from door-to-door.
You'll be working in a friendly, fair and honest environment, where your manager does everything they can to help you succeed and do well, because the more success you have the more success the charity will have. In return we're looking for the highest standards of professionalism, fundraising skills and member retention.
After your interview and successful appointment you'll begin a week's induction training, three days of which will be residential (at RFD’s head office in Portslade). You'll learn about the RSPB's work, see it first-hand, and get to know your manager and a few of your new colleagues a bit better as well.
From then on you'll receive as much ongoing support as you need from our full-time training team, experienced mentors, and of course, daily contact with your Area Manager.
Our dedicated Events team will provide the places for you to work; all our fundraising takes place on private sites like superstores, shopping centres, music festivals, shows country fairs…essentially anywhere we can get you talking to people. We will kit you out with everything you need to set up an engaging display, including some RSPB branded clothing.
From there it's up to you! You'll be motivated, enthusiastic and resilient. You will need boundless energy and unfailing positivity. You'll know that every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes' and every 'yes' is a new voice for nature and a reflection on what a great job you are doing.
You can choose to work a four or five day-a-week contract. You'll receive a guaranteed basic salary, uncapped and market leading commission, paid holiday and, after a qualifying period, occupational sick pay and a pension (which the RSPB will contribute to). In addition, you will know that you are part of something that inspires and motivates people to change the world; you will be stepping up for nature.
RSPB Fundraising Direct
PayStructure
RSPB Fundraising Direct look to offer a fair and transparent pay structure. The pay structure has been devised so fundraisers who achieve the highest level of good quality members (members which stay more than 4 months) receive the highest rewards.
RSPB Fundraising Direct has two levels of pay please see below for the details.
This document outlines the current pay structure of RSPB Fundraising Direct based on a fundraiser recruiting new RSPB members who commit to a £6.50 monthly donation. Other levels of commission are payable for lower and higher ask levels (details can be provided upon request). RSPB reserves the right to change their pay structure at any time.
Standard Level of Pay.
£65 per shift (£16,900 per annum) + Uncapped Commission.
Commission Payable = £25 per new member after reaching your minimum*.
*Minimum requirement – each fundraiser is required to sign up two new RSPB Members per shift, commission is not payable on these first two members.
Commission is calculated over a one month period
Target = amount of shifts in the month x 2 (daily target).
Example:
If you work 5 shifts per week, your monthly target would be:
20 (shifts in a month) x 2 (daily target) = 40 members (monthly target)
You would then receive commission at £25 per additional member over your monthly target.
If you were to recruit 60 members in a month you would therefore receive commission for each of the members from 41 to 60 (20 Members).
Total commission payable= £500.00 = £25 x 20 (amount of members above monthly minimum)
Please Note: If your 4 month average is less than 2.0 you will not be eligible for commission
Enhanced Level of Pay.
£85 per Shift (£22.100 per annum) + Uncapped Commission.
Commission Payable = £50 per new member after reaching your minimum*.
*Minimum requirement – each fundraiser is required to sign up two new RSPB Members per shift, commission is not payable on these first two members.
Commission is calculated over a one month period
Target = amount of shifts in the month x 2 (daily target).
Example:
If you work 5 shifts per week, your monthly target would be:
20 (shifts in a month) x 2 (daily target) = 40 members (monthly target)
You would then receive commission at £50 per additional member over your monthly target.
If you were to recruit 60 members in a month you would therefore receive commission for each of the members from 41 to 60 (20 Members).
Total commission payable = £1000.00 = £50 x 20 (amount of members above monthly minimum)
Please Note: If your 4 month average is less than 2.0 you will not be eligible for commission
How do you achieve the enhanced rate of pay?
The device which we use to determine which level of pay you receive is based on your membership retention level and achieving 2.0 new RSPB members per shift. We base your retention level on the amount of members that make a minimum of three direct debit payments.
If your membership retention over a three month period is lower than 78% (meaning more than 22% of the new members who you have signed up have left before making their third payment) OR your average membership sign ups per shift is less than 2.0 you will receive the Standard Rate of Pay.
If your membership retention is higher than 78% (meaning less than 22% of the new members who you have signed up have left before making their third payment) AND your average membership sign ups per shift are higher than 2.0 you will receive the Enhanced Rate of Pay.
Expenses
RSPB Fundraising Direct will pay all travel expense related to you getting to and from the event you are working. Public Transport is refunded on retention of the VAT receipt and petrol is refunded at 35p per mile.
This document outlines the current pay structure of RSPB Fundraising Direct based on a £6.50 monthly donation. Other levels of commission are payable for lower and higher asks. RSPB reserves the right to change their pay structure at any time.
Application Form July 2009 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales No. 207076
Scotland No. SC037654
RSPB Fundraising Direct /Person Specification
Job Title: Field FundraiserHow criteria will be tested : A = Application Form, T = Test, I = Interview, P = Personality test, O = Other
Essential
/Desirable
Qualifications
/ A / T / I / P / O /Qualifications
/ A / T / I / P / OExperience
/ Experience1 / Experience in a face to face sales/marketing role with proven track record of success in dealing with members of the public. / x / x / A / Demonstrable track record in agency working for charity supporter acquisition. / x / x
2 / Experience of delivering targets under pressure with respect for the customer / x / x / B / Proven ability to ‘close a sale’ and ensure actions and commitments come out of the interaction / x / x
C / Proven record of negotiating simple contracts and prices / x / x
Skills/Abilities / Skills/Abilities
3 / Ability to communicate fluently in writing and verbally in English and to be numerate / x / x / D / Quick learner who can assimilate information and then communicate accurately / x / x
4 / Ability to complete paperwork in a timely and accurate manner / x / x / E / Able to prepare and maintain reports of recruitment activity / x / x
5 / Ability to act as an ambassador for the RSPB at all times / x / F / Inspirational personality with the ability to enthuse / x
6 / Ability to travel to meet the requirements of the role (this usually means access to a suitable vehicle) / x / x / G / Able to think on ones feet and – able to handle unexpected and challenging situations / x
7 / Ability to work on own initiative / x / x
8 / Regular access to a computer and ability to use spreadsheet and e-mail packages / x / x
Knowledge / Knowledge
9 / Understanding of the commitments in relation to Data Protection / x / x / H / Basic understanding of issues facing the environment and nature conservation / x / x
I / Ability to quickly learn the benefits of RSPB membership, campaigns and local issues / x
J / Main elements of the regulations relevant to charity fundraising, specifically IOF fundraising guidelines / x / x
Behaviours/Circumstances / Behaviours /Circumstances
10 / Highly self driven to exceed targets and expectations / x / x / K / Physical ability to set up a recruitment stand, including carrying recruitment materials / x / x
11 / Willing to work unsocial hours and occasional overnight stays / x / x / L / Highly self-motivated, able to deal with negative response/rejection / x / x
12 / Friendly, enthusiastic and positive personality / x / M / Highly flexible attitude to propose, embrace and drive through new ideas and change rapidly as required to deliver optimum results / x / x
13 / Able to operate alone for extended periods / x
Application Form July 2009 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales No. 207076