Head of FR & Comms JD Jan 2014
Director of Fundraising and Communications:
Job Description
Salary and Benefits: c£50k
Location: Chiswick
Reporting to: UK CEO & part of the senior management team comprising the CEO, Head
of Finance, Head of Operations -Africa
Direct Reports:
Staff:
Trusts & Major Grants Fundraising Manager (who manages Trust Fundraising Officer);
Fundraising and Communications Manager
Office Manager
Volunteers:
DKLWLowe – Advertising
Axicom – (WPP) – Public Relations
Women’s Fundraising Committee
In addition, this role requires responsibility to lead and co-ordinate fundraising activities of
satellite fundraising offices in USA and Australia.
The Charity:
MicroLoan Foundation helps some of the poorest women in the world feed their families,
send their children to school and pay for life saving medicines. We are a very different kind
of charity, offering hope, not handouts. By providing small loans (Average £60) and
Head of FR & Comms JD Jan 2014
ongoing business training and support, MicroLoan empowers women in rural Malawi and
Zambia to set up self-sustainable businesses. The profits from these businesses enable the
women to work themselves and their families out of poverty. The charity has significant
plans for growth in both existing and new countries.
MicroLoan has pioneered an innovative and sustainable microfinance model suited to
remote rural areas and for people most in need in the community. The organisation
enables women to work their way out of poverty by providing opportunities to develop
lifelong skills, access vital financial services and establish sustainable small businesses.
Crucially, MicroLoan works at the grassroots, with people who are usually ignored by other
organisations in this sector because of their needs or location.
Role Purpose:
Based in London and reporting to the UK CEO, you will be responsible for developing and
implementing a strategy to grow MicroLoan’s UK and international fundraising and
marketing from all donor channels. These include institutional donors, corporate
partnerships, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), events and regular giving. As a member of
the Senior Management team you will lead a Head Office and international satellite office
team of fundraisers with the primary objectives of this role to grow the funding base further
(in particular for unrestricted and money for new country start-ups), whilst maximising
funding from existing donors
With a proven track record of success in securing major gifts, preferably from companies
and/or individual major donors, you will lead and inspire a highly talented team of staff
and supporting pro-bono agencies to maximise income. You will be an expert fundraiser
and relationship manager, able to deal with people at a senior level in a range of
disciplines and will be a skilled negotiator and diplomat.
Prime focus areas:





To develop strategies to grow MicroLoan’s fundraising income, with the aim of
achieving significant growth
Achieving an annual increase in income growing from £1.1M in 2014 to over £1.6 in
2016 and continuing to build a strong donor base with the aim of increasing annual
income in line with operational development in our African operations.
As the brand director for MicroLoan you will develop and deliver the
communications and marketing strategy which promotes MicroLoan, supports
fundraising activity and utilises pro-bono support from our creative and PR
agencies.
To contribute to the leadership and direction of fundraising through the Women’s
Fundraising Committee
Create and develop integrated supporter journeys and robust pipeline
management to drive significant uplifts in income
Head of FR & Comms JD Jan 2014
Targets will be discussed and agreed each financial year as part of the budget and
fundraising strategy preparations. Remuneration and subsequent reviews will be subject to
experience and will be linked to performance against targets.
Main responsibilities:










Develop and manage the fundraising strategy for the organisation. Exploring and
testing new ways of attracting prospective donors
Primary responsibility for securing new fundraising streams, by identifying and
approaching potential companies and individuals to work with, and creating
innovative & creative partnerships with them.
Oversee and support institutional and trusts fundraising activity (current institutional
donors include DFID)
Develop and direct the implementation of the charity’s communication strategy
with each donor and prospect audience. This includes responsibility for website
development.
Create, monitor and manage an annual business plan and budget for the
fundraising department in line with the operational/ programme plans in Africa
Work with the CEO, Trustees, satellite fundraising offices (USA, Australia) and the
Women’s Fundraising Committee to deliver fundraising targets
Primary responsibility for maintaining contact with existing HNWI supporters and
establishing relationships with new HNWIs.
Recruit, train and develop staff in line with MicroLoan’s policies and practice
including regular 1:1 meetings, team meetings and regular performance reviews.
Also, to coach and mentor staff to achieve high performance, growth and
personal development
Organise and deliver international fundraising trips to Malawi and Zambia as
required, specifically targeted to increase income from major relationship donors
To undertake specific projects as necessary and requested to support the
fundraising function and the programme teams in the UK and Africa.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
1. Track record of successfully securing high value gifts, corporate and/or institutional
partnerships and individual donations
2. Experience of developing and delivering a strategy for growth in income and
developing and managing budgets
3. Experience of a wide range of fundraising disciplines including corporate, major
donor, events, individuals.
4. Excellent people management skills and experience of leading and motivating a
team of fundraisers (or equivalent) to build profitable relationships and significant
income
5. Experience of preparing and delivering against agreed plans and budgets
6. Knowledge/understanding of marketing principles and/or donor communications
Head of FR & Comms JD Jan 2014
7. Exceptional communication skills – written and oral. An ability to communicate
confidently and clearly to senior board-level/trustee level audiences
8. Ability to plan, monitor and implement major projects to agreed deadlines
Personal Characteristics
1. A personal commitment to reduce poverty and inequality in Africa
2. Excellent eye for detail
3. Excellent time management, organisational and relationship building skills
4. An ability to learn quickly
5. Ability to understand, interpret and communicate complex financial and social
issues
How to apply
Please clearly mark your application MicroLoan Foundation – Director of Fundraising &
Communications and sent to Michelle Chandler,
michelle.chandler@microloanfoundation.org.uk
Your application must contain the following information:
a.
b.
Your current CV
Supporting statement of no more than 500 words, outlining your interest in
and suitability to fill the role
Closing date: February 28th 2014
Interview date: Early March or before for stand out candidates.