Individual Giving and CommunicationsOfficer

Summary

Establishedin1997,AfricanInitiativesisan internationaldevelopmentcharitybased in Bristol,UK.Overthelast20yearswehavebuilttrustingandequitablerelationshipswithcivilsocietygroups inTanzaniaand Ghana.ByfindingAfricansolutionsto African problems,wehavechangedthe livesof thousandsofmen,women and childrenforthebetter.

Building on their strengths, we empower women and girls with the ability to lift themselves out of poverty and bring about lasting change. Our vision is that women and girls in marginalised African communities enjoy equal status and are empowered to achieve their potential. Our mission is that, together with African partners we strengthen the capacity of individuals and communities so that they can demand and exercise their rights. Our programme priorities contribute to improving health and well-being, educational learning outcomes and livelihoods and resilience. We work with the most marginalised women and girls in the community, including people with a disability, people living with HIV and pastoralist women and girls.

Location: African Initiatives, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, Bristol BS2 8PE

Reporting to: Fundraising and Communications Manager

Salary:£18,000 to £22,000 (Pro Rata if part time)

Hours:Full-time (37.5 hours) or Part-time (negotiable – minimum of 22.5hrs)

Contract:Permanent

Purpose

Working in a small team, the post-holder is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of Individual Giving from recruiting, retaining and cultivating relationships with individual donors including cash and regular gifts through marketing, and managing ad-hoc gifts. Marketing activity is developed through a range of channels including direct mail, online and through annual appeals. The post holder will develop and oversee a planned communications schedule including developing and managing a schedule of annual appeals, public campaigns as well as tailored one-to-one correspondence.

The post holder will also support the Fundraising and Communications manager with the wider Individual Giving programme, which includes developing amajor donor programme.

As part of your communications role you will lead on African Initiatives’ communications and PR ensuring a balanced and effective approach that raises the profile of the organisation among a range of audiences. You will lead on the organisation’s Annual Review publication, website and social media content.

Main responsibilities

Individual giving(40% time)

  • Contribute to the delivery of AI’s annual Appeal strategy and Individual Giving appeals (including Big Give, International Women’s Day), taking responsibility for raising fundraising target linked to appeals, drafting content and ensuring that the mailings are fulfilled to an agreed schedule.
  • Co-ordinate the Regular Giving strategy to grow committed giving from individuals, which feeds into the Team’s overall strategy to grow multi-year funding.
  • Work with the fundraising team in the UK and Tanzania to research content needed for marketing materials and developcase studies; liaising with the Fundraising and Communications Manager to get sign-off on copy and creative, ensuring that materials adhere to brand, data protection and gift aid requirements.
  • As part of the wider IG strategy, develop supporter journey communications including newsletters and emails, and to manage the fulfilment of these, including set up of template thank you letters.
  • Oversee the administration of Individual Giving income (by post, telephone and online), including the thanking and banking of donations. Liaise with Finance Team to process Gift Aid.
  • Provide regular reporting and campaign analysis to the Fundraising & Communication manager and carry out ad hoc analysis of data as required.
  • Explore how we can develop relationships with payroll giving agencies to maximise and develop income from this area of giving
  • Assist the Fundraising & Communications Manager in the development of other individual giving activity, including donor care of existing donors.
  • Where appropriate help provide high quality stewardship of individual donors to ensure retention levels to an acceptable standard as well as adding value to these relationships and motivating donors to continue and scale up their support.
  • Work closely with both the Programme and Fundraising teams in the UK, and overseas partners to ensure that knowledge of organisational activities is up to date and can be cascaded to donors and prospects appropriately.
  • Keep abreast of the wider international development sector to inform communications with donors and targeted stakeholders.

Communications (40%)

  • Ensure that the website is kept up to date with relevant and complimentary case studies and information that align with current fundraising campaigns and Individual Giving activity.
  • Review AI’s brand guidelines and ensure AI staff are keeping to these.
  • Prepare and fulfil quarterly e-newsletters, as well as identify opportunities to increase dialogue through digital communications with existing and new donors
  • Developing African Initiatives press relations and media work, finding new opportunities for raising our profile on a local and national level.
  • To create materials to reach new specific audiences to support our work in fundraising, including new fundraising leaflet and annual review.
  • Support FCM with the data analysis of website and social media activity.
  • To write and manage the relevant copy for a range of different communication mediums including e-news, social media, blogs, and the website.
  • Lead on the development and publication of African Initiatives’ Annual Review publication
  • Reviewand proof read, ensure brand guidelines are adhered to for all external communications and publications produced by AI.
  • Desktop publish selected publications produced by AI.

Fundraising Administration and Other (20%)

  • Keep abreast of all changes in Data Protection and Gift Aid legislation, maintaining online and paper files and managing donor data in compliance with data protection laws and the Fundraising Regulator and at all times act in accordance with these regulations.
  • Field enquiries and requests for information by the general public in relation to fundraising and from the media where appropriate.
  • Manage volunteers when appropriate.
  • Support the Fundraising and Communications Manager with the development and implementation of AI’s overall Fundraising Team’s strategy, plan and budget.
  • Work within agreed income and expenditure budgets, being accountable for all spending within agreed areas of operation.
  • Carry out other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the post as requested by the Fundraising and Communications manager or as necessary to support other teams within the organisation.

Person specification

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in a similar role where they are able to demonstrate an ability to fundraise to achieve agreed targets. The candidate will have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing so that they are able to engage with, motivate and influence a wide range of donors. The candidate will be expected to work within a small team, but equally should be able to work independently taking ownership for and managing agreed areas of the Fundraising Team’s operational plan. The candidate will also need to show a creative approach, demonstrating how they would develop and apply innovative solutions to support fundraising success.

Person Specification

Professional Skills
Essential / Desirable
  1. At least two years working in a similar role within a registered charity generating income from individuals through appeals and regular giving
  2. Excellent written communication skills with the ability to summarise and present complex information to a wide range of diverse audiences and evidence of copy writing for charity appeals.
  3. Confident using a CRM database to manage and analyse donor data and run reports
  4. Experience of maintaining a website (preferably through WordPress)
  5. Strong understanding of latest trends in fundraising, and up to speed with fundraising regulations, best practice and HMRC Gift Aid regulations
  6. Proficient in IT, and utilising social media for marketing and communications purposes (including using campaign monitor programmes such as Mailchimp).
/
  1. Understanding of international development and sensitive to the aims and approach of AI
  2. Experience of working with/managing volunteers
  3. Experience of desktop publishing such as In-Design or Adobe (or others).

Personal Qualities
Essential / Desirable
  1. Commitment to African Initiatives’ mission and values and to a rights based approach to development.
  2. Ability to work to a high standard independently.
  3. Ability to prioritize and manage a varied workload and competing deadlines.
  4. Strong team player.
  5. Excellent organisational skills, and able to prioritise work effectively within a very busy team
  6. Excellent attention to detail and high level of numeracy skills
  7. Flexible team player, operating within a small and proactive team as well as able to operate under own initiative and unsupervised.

Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding

We must keep children and vulnerable adults safe. Our selection process reflects ourcommitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults from abuse. Employment is

subject to our child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to ourSafeguarding Policy.

How to Apply:

Please send a recent copy of your CV, a cover letter (no more than two pages), a completed application form and Equal Opportunities form to byTuesday 9th January 20185pm UK time.Interviews will be held on Monday 22nd January 2018.

Should you have any queries or questions regarding this position please contact Michael Auton, African Initiatives’ Fundraising and Communications Manager or phone 0117 915 0001

African Initiatives, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, Bristol BS2 8PE

No: 1064413Company No: 3322339