IRISH REFUGEE COUNCIL

POSITION OF FUNDRAISING OFFICER (part-time)

The Irish Refugee Council is the only national NGO specialising in work with and for asylum seekers and refugees. It is currently funded principally by two philanthropic organisations and does not receive any state funds. The organisation employs 11 staff, most of whom are funded by funds made available without restriction.

Fundraising is a constant issue facing the organisation and one that will become even more significant when one of our two major funders closes at the end of 2013.

For that reason the IRC wishes to appoint a Fundraising Officer to source and secure alternative funds to take the organisation into 2014 and beyond. It is hoped that the successful candidate will start work as soon as possible in 2013.

Job Title Fundraising Officer

Reporting to CEO

Place of Work IRC Office, Dublin

Hours of work17 and a half (two and a half days)

Normal hours of workBetween Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

SalaryBetween €15,000 - €20,000 p.a. (€30,000 - €40,000 p.a. pro rata) depending upon experience.

Application is by way of an application form (below) to be submitted with a covering letter and CV no later than Friday 25th January 2013 by 5 p.m. (GMT). Applicants must have the right to work in the Republic of Ireland. Applications submitted through a recruitment agency will not be valid and neither will applications by way of CV alone.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES:

  1. To support the CEO in the design, development and implementation of the IRC’s Fundraising strategy and its regular review, evaluation and, where necessary, its modification
  1. To establish and maintain effective relationships with a Development Committee and oversee contact with potential and actual donors, ensuring that relationships are managed in an effective, timely and a personal way.
  1. To undertake regular research and analysis into trends, opportunities and issues affecting donor and trust giving
  1. To identify and develop opportunities for fundraising activities in support of the work of the IRC.
  1. To work with colleagues in the IRC, especially those who specialise in certain aspects of the work, e.g. children, legal services, to identify and, where necessary, assist with applications for funding, including from the state.
  1. To identify and build alliances with the corporate sector and potential donors within the business community
  1. To identify and encourage Gift Aid, Legacy Giving and other forms of individual giving
  1. To ensure all donations/grants/communications are acknowledged and appreciated promptlyby the appropriate person in the IRC
  1. To assist CEO in research, collation and writing of miscellaneous funding bids
  1. To work closely with Communications and Public Affairs Officer to ensure the consistency of key IRC messages and brand.
  1. To effectively represent and market the mission, vision and values of the IRC at occasional Conferences, meetings and other events as agreed with the CEO.
  2. To maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all work.
  3. With the support of the CEO, to compile an annual fundraising plan and budget.
  4. To undertake additional tasks and responsibilities which may arise from time to time and which are relevant to the post or as required by the CEO.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential requirements

  1. A qualification in a relevant subject area such as marketing, fundraising, communications, Public Relations, event management, sales or 2 years’ experience in a similar role.

  1. Demonstrable track record of fundraising or sales and achieving targets set
  2. Experience of devising successful fundraising strategies
  3. Strong communications (written, oral and presentation) skills, with presence and authority to speak at senior levels
  4. Inspirational talker: ability to motivate, inspire and engagean audience into an action of supporting the work of the IRC
  5. Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
  6. Quick thinker and fast worker; ability to identify an opportunity and take prompt action to ensure a target is hit or deadline is met
  7. A good understanding of budgets
  8. Knowledge of fundraising practices, principles and techniques
  9. Knowledge of major funders of the Irish non-profit sector
  10. Competency in a range of computer packages including Word, Excel, Internet, E-Mail and Powerpoint
  11. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
  12. Commitment to human rights particularly as they affect minority communities.
Desirable requirements
  1. Knowledge of the issues facing refugees in Ireland.
  2. Experience in using new media resources (e.g. Facebook, twitter)
IRISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
APPLICATION FORM FOR FUNDRAISING OFFICER
Irish Refugee Council, Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2
Tel. 00 353 1 764 5854; email:
PLEASE NOTE: Please read the information sheet with the job description and person specification (see below) before completing this application form. The application form should be submitted with your CV and a covering letter briefly setting out why you want the post of Fundraising Officer at the IRC and what makes you the right person for the job.
All completed applications should be submitted by email to . Closing date for applications is Friday 11th January 2013 at 5 p.m. (GMT). Postal applications should be submitted to Sue Conlan, Irish Refugee Council, Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2.
  1. PERSONAL DETAILS
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
  1. EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Please set out relevant qualifications below
InstitutionYear AwardedQualificationSubject
  1. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Please answer the following questions limiting your response to a max. 250 words for each section:
  1. What are the qualifications, experience, abilities and/or skills which you rely on in support of this application?
  1. How would you apply those qualifications, experience, abilities and/or skills to the post of Fundraising Officer at the IRC?
  1. Give an example of an occasion when you have had to work under pressure and how you managed the demands upon you?
  1. When have you had to make a presentation (to an individual or organisation) in order the promote the organisation or a project and what would you say were the strengths and weaknesses of your presentation?
  1. Please give details of any work that you have done (paid or unpaid) in a fundraising capacity for any organisation or event, including your particular role in the fundraising and the lessons that you learnt from it.
  1. What would you see as the main advantages that the IRC has which could be used to secure funding and from whom (e.g. individuals, corporate bodies, trusts etc)?
  1. What do you see as the main challenges that the IRC faces in seeking to raise money for its work and how would you try to overcome these?
  1. Please give details of your computer skills including packages with which you are familiar and your level of computer use and how you have or would use these in fundraising.
  1. DECLARATION
I confirm that the information given on this form and in the accompanying CV is true.
Signed...... Date ......