Head of the Fundraising and Development Office

Transcription

1 Head of the Fundraising and Development Office Candidate information pack June 2015

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3 Director s message IDS will celebrate its 50th birthday in It has a long-built international reputation for its path-breaking research, its commitment to generating and applying knowledge that makes a difference, and its willingness to challenge orthodoxies. These values, and our deep-seated commitment to tackling poverty and injustice, must remain core to who we are and what we do. But the international development landscape is shifting fast, as new geographies of economic growth, power and inequality challenge old North- South distinctions; as interconnected environmental, financial and resource constraints and crises unfold, as novel actors and alliances across private and public sector and civil society come to influence change sometimes in unexpected ways, and as funder practice changes. To stay ahead in these globally-turbulent times, we will need to refresh our vision, strategy and structures and our capacity to secure resources to support our ambitions. Our new strategy, to be launched later this year, will commit us even more strongly to engaged excellence, to focusing top-level research on big forward-looking questions and ideas, to producing solutions-oriented knowledge that engages strongly with those who can act on it, and to making the most of the digital revolution in our research, teaching and communications. To make this strategy work, we will need to refresh how we approach the challenge of generating income to develop exciting and ground-breaking research, teaching and knowledge work. We will need a more global positioning building and strengthening our international partnerships, alliances and alumni networks. And we will need to ensure that our institutional structures, processes and funding give the flexibility to pursue our vision in dynamic contexts. We will need to foster a productive, supportive and rewarding environment for our very diverse staff. And the new position of Head of Fundraising and Development brings together critical areas of work for us. The post-holder will join at an auspicious moment, with key opportunities to shape and project to funders what we do and how we do it. If you share our ambition, please apply for this role. Professor Melissa Leach. 3

4 Head of the Fundraising and Development Office (Ref: 679): Full-time, indefinite Responsible to the Director of Research Grade 8 ( 43,047 to 53,507) 35 hours per week Closing date: 17 July 2015 (10am) Interview date: 24 July 2015 About IDS IDS is a leading global charity for research, teaching and information on international development. Our vision is a world in which poverty does not exist, social justice prevails and economic growth is focused on improving human wellbeing. We believe that research knowledge can drive the change that must happen in order for this vision to be realised. Founded in 1966, IDS enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of our work and our commitment to applying academic skills to real-world challenges. Our theory of change is at the heart of what we do. We think that knowledge should be generated by sound methodology and in partnership with other development and non-development actors. The Institute is home to over 120 staff working in research and teaching, 70 in knowledge services, communications and the library and about 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond this, encompassing an extensive network of over 360 global partners, 2,100 alumni and hundreds of former staff across the development community worldwide. The Institute is currently refreshing its vision, structures and strategy to meet the challenges of a rapidlychanging world. Directions of change include: Strengthening the engaged excellence of our work, including fuller integration of cutting-edge approaches to impact and communications throughout the Institute s research and knowledge activities and deepened collaboration with the University of Sussex; Building a more global vision of development studies, with associated shifts of emphasis in content and approaches to international partnerships and alliances; Combining thematically-focused work in research and knowledge clusters with Institute-wide progress towards a set of major strategic goals, provisionally around reducing inequalities, accelerating environmental sustainability, building inclusive and secure societies, and harnessing digital opportunities for social justice. Context IDS is a charity, with no core income (i.e. it raises all of its own funding). The Head of the Fundraising and Development Office is a new role that will have responsibility for working with senior colleagues to develop the fundraising strategy and for leading the professional function of the Office. 4

5 IDS has a successful track record of securing grants and contracts from institutional sources for the research and knowledge work that we do. This is currently achieved by the 70+ researchers and knowledge professionals in IDS through competitive and negotiated channels, with support from the current Development Office, Finance and professional project management staff. Most of these funds are restricted in their purpose, as specified by the funder. Our new Institute Strategy to be approved by our Board in July 2015 will have ambitious objectives to expand the scope of our work, to grow the Institute and to increase the impact of what we do. We are investing in new research staff and new ways of working, including new ideas about the interconnected nature of development issues and mobilising knowledge. The strategy will set out a number of defining challenges around which we wish to organise our work; and a number of high-level goals that will imply significant change in previous ways of working. To achieve these goals, we need a resource base that is broader and more diverse than our current income mix, if possible with more funds that are more flexible in their application and that operate at scale across research foci, disciplines, countries or organisations. We need to strengthen the way in which we scan the funding and funder environment; prepare and submit funding proposals to diverse funders; and support researchers and knowledge professionals in their relationships with funders and partners. We need to be proactive and smart about seeking, influencing and building new opportunities, relationships and sources of income. We want to be smarter and more strategic in how we develop and maintain critical partnerships, including with our alumni network around the world. We want to professionalise our proposal process and improve the quality of our proposals. We want to connect our fundraising work with our convening power to support high quality events and co-ordinated engagement opportunities. And we want to improve our success rate and secure more funding. We recognise that in achieving these goals, the research and knowledge work that we do needs to be placed centre stage so that prospective funders can be excited and engaged by its quality, reach and impact on policy, practice and real lives. The driving forces will be the passion and expertise of our research and knowledge professionals and the aspirations of our funders to make a difference. The Fundraising and Development Office The challenge is to align the fundraising strategy, with its audiences and aspirations, to the work of researchers and knowledge professionals across the Institute; underpinned by strong strategic partnerships, outstanding grants management and cutting-edge communications. The Fundraising and Development Office operates the following critical functions: 1. Forming and helping to implement a strategic approach to fundraising and development in support of the Institute s overall strategic vision 2. Scanning funding opportunities for the Institute s research and knowledge work across funders including the UK Research Councils, DfID, the EU, major Foundations and Trusts, corporates and high net worth individuals 3. Developing a pre-proposal map that captures key areas of Institute activity and identifies potential potential opportunities for development 4. Supporting the development and submission of successful funding proposals including operating the Institute s quality assurance processes for this activity 5. Forming and helping to implement a strategic approach to major partnerships including with our alumni 6. Supporting the Institute s overall research strategy and research ethics activity. 5

6 To do this, the Office will work closely with staff across the Institute in research and knowledge clusters, hubs, Communications and Engagement, Finance and the Directorate to develop a strategic and powerful approach that places the content of the Institute s work at the centre. We recognise that restructuring our approach to fundraising and strategic partnerships is challenging. We further recognise that fundraising from new sources takes investment of time and effort. As a result of these changes, we would expect to see the following, with specific and measurable targets (set by reference to sector benchmarks where relevant) to be agreed with the role holder during their initial six months in post: Significant progress in building the Institute s funding base and the range of funders, including growth in new funders Significant tangible financial results within three years An improved success rate for proposals to our current funders Demonstrable impact from the our partnerships work, including new, more coordinated relationships and networking which help to generate resources, create new opportunities, build our reputation and deepen the quality and impact of the Institute s work. As such, the Office is critical to the overall intellectual, financial and reputational success of the Institute. Overall purpose of the role The successful applicant for this post will lead and manage the Office to deliver the functions listed above. You will work closely with staff across the Institute including the Director, Head of Finance, researchers and knowledge professionals, project managers and specialist professionals including in research finance and research communications. All proposals for funding will be issued through the Fundraising and Development Office and staff in that Office will therefore have a central role to play in producing and ensuring the success of those proposals as well as in developing the overall fundraising and partnerships strategy for the Institute. Heading up the Office is therefore a business-critical role for the Institute and the role-holder will need to bring exceptional leadership and management skills to bear across the range of functions and funders in order to achieve the necessary impact. Key responsibilities 1. Develop and implement the Institute s overall fundraising strategy for the full range of funders/activity from familiar to novel, including: A detailed 3 year workplan with priority targets and approaches Advising on new mechanisms for giving Identifying clear roles and responsibilities Attending and advising the Fundraising Ethics Panel Engaging selected Fellows and others across the Institute in tangible support of the strategy, providing training and support where necessary Working closely with the Director and Director of Research on the fundraising strategy, to identify targets (financial and donors); leads; and approaches 6

7 2. Build, lead and manage a strong team of development and fundraising professionals and work with colleagues across the Institute to build capacity, maximise learning, find synergies and streamline and enhance systems and processes that support successful fundraising and income generation. Working with Finance professionals, Hub and other staff to provide policy solutions to funder requirements on features such as price, value for money, impact and risk Preparing concept and prospect notes and other strategic funding documents for potential funders Ensuring outstanding back office functions Analysing feedback on proposals, disseminating lessons learnt and leading on appropriate action 3. Lead and manage the overall fundraising and strategic partnerships effort, ensuring outstanding relationship and grants management and maximising the quality of funding proposals Ensuring the development of the alumni and partnerships strategies Cultivating key relationships including new funders, via fundraising events, the Alumni Advisory Committee and the alumni ambassadors network Networking with other fundraisers e.g. in the university and NGO sectors, and identifying possibilities of joint ventures with other similar organisations Developing the supporting infrastructure (eg. donor intelligence, back office systems, databases, proposal preparation routines) Developing the Institute s strategic partnership strategy, differentiating and mapping partners and ensuring clear and systematic communications with them Stewarding existing and future donors 4. Ensure that we develop a coherent strategy and systematic operational approach to anticipating and identifying possible projects, opportunities and prospective funders. Leading work to scan the funding environment across familiar, novel and potential funders and mapping these to the Institute s research and knowledge strengths Ensuring that the Office is at the forefront of intelligence about funder intentions and requirements and that the Institute is positioned to comply Working closely with Communications professionals across the Institute generating/commissioning and contributing to appropriate communications materials including an impactful case for support and a range of products, propositions and reports Ensuring high quality and timely management information for decision making including by the Board and Strategic Leadership Group Ensuring appropriate prospect research 5. Manage an Office, currently comprising the following staff Grants officer (1 fte) including line management Grants assistant (1 fte) Strategic partnerships and networks manager (1 fte) including line management Fundraising and development assistant (1 fte) Equalities You must be prepared to implement the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job and must at all times carry out your duties with due regard to the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy. Health and Safety You must be prepared to be responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, the provisions of 7

8 legislation relating to the health and safety of such employees and areas of the workplace as fall under your direct control and for complying with legislation relating to such works and contracts as are within your direct responsibility. General You will be required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and character of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Your duties will be set out in this job description but please note that the Institute reserves the right to update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. Significant permanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require agreed revisions to be made to this job description. You will be consulted about any proposed changes. Person specification Requirement Essential Desirable Method of assessment Qualifications First degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent Relevant postgraduate qualification Fundraising qualifications Application Knowledge Strategic fundraising development and delivery in a development and/or research context Mapping the institutional offer, the funder terrain and the areas of prospective match, in a research or relevant context Approaches, techniques and best practice across a range of fundraising disciplines Skills Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills Strong strategic thinking Strong analytical skills Highly systematic approach, wellorganised Outstanding customer relationship management Outstanding project management Outstanding oral and written communication, presentation, networking and negotiation with various audiences Proficient PC user: word processing and spreadsheet Planning, prioritisation and time management skills Legislation and regulation regarding charitable giving Networks in the international development arena Regulations for tax- effective giving, give as you earn, share giving schemes Digital fundraising Alumni relations Bequests Use of project management software Use of fundraising databases/software Application Interview Presentation Application Interview Presentation 8

9 Experience team leadership, staff management and motivation work in an academic or similar context substantial and sustained experience of successful fundraising or grants management in a relevant organisation track record of securing significant income in a competitive environment ( m+) working at a senior level in a relevant organisation involving extensive collaboration/networking Application, interview Attributes Dynamic and passionate manager Ambitious self-starter and ability to take the lead in developing a new area Outstanding communication skills a confident and winning personal style, able to interact professionally and influentially with a wide range of people from a variety of cultural backgrounds, build effective relationships (internal and external) with a diverse set of actors The ability to forge effective relationships with senior academics and funders The ability to work autonomously with a high degree of motivation and initiative and to motivate others Numeracy Enthusiasm, creativity and a strategic problem-solving approach Able to operate as part of a team and to motivate colleagues to achieve high standards A confident approach, able to remain calm and credible under pressure Willingness to travel in the UK and overseas Willingness to work flexible hours Application Interview Presentation 9

10 Structure Director of Research Head of Fundraising and Development Office Grants Officer Partnerships Officer Grants Coordinator Development and Fundraising Assistant 10

11 Information to candidates Benefits At IDS we offer a number of benefits to staff. These include: A competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. Please see for more details Interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period Support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy Childcare voucher scheme and childcare fund Competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 non-negotiable closure days Enhanced sickness pay entitlements Support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU Eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates. How to apply Applications on official form only (CVs are not accepted): Human Resources, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, BN1 9RE, UK. Location The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to: Alternatively please your application to hr@ids.ac.uk Please insert the job title and reference number into the subject line of the . We would recommend that electronic applications are sent 24 hours in advance of the deadline, to ensure there are no technical difficulties. Owing to the large number of enquiries received and consequential processing/postage costs, regretfully, it is not possible to enter into further correspondence with all applicants. Therefore, if you do not receive any communication by the interview date, please assume that, on this occasion, your application has not been successful. The closing date for applications is 17 July 2015 (10am UK time) and the interviews are scheduled to take place on the 24 July

12 Institute of Development Studies Brighton BN1 9RE UK T + 44 (0) E ids@ids.ac.uk W Institute of Development Studies Charitable Company Number Limited by Guarantee and Registered in England Charity Registration Number