AMREF UK
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title:
Director of Fundraising and Communications
Accountable to:
Key Relationships:
Chief Executive
Director of Programmes
Head of Finance and Administration
Other Fundraising and Communications leads across AMREF globally
Head of Marketing
Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships
£50,000 – 55,000, depending on experience
Clifford’s Inn, Fetter Lane, London
Responsible for:
Salary:
Location:
1. The Organisation
The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) is Africa’s leading health development organisation
working to achieve better health for Africa. AMREF is headquartered in Nairobi and has country offices in
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, as well as hubs for South Africa, and West Africa
(based in Senegal). AMREF UK supports AMREF in Africa to achieve its strategic goals and is comprised of 3
departments: Fundraising and Communications, Programmes and Advocacy and Finance and Administration.
AMREF UK’s Fundraising and Communications team exists to:
1) Raise income to support the work of AMREF UK and the work of AMREF in Africa
2) Raise the profile of AMREF as a unique African organisation and our work in Africa to the UK public and key
identified audiences where we have best synergy for maximum impact
3) Work across the One AMREF global structure to ensure that all opportunities are maximised, learning is
shared, and we play to our strengths in order to have greatest impact for the people of Africa whom AMREF
exists to serve
The Fundraising and Communications team has 2 key areas of focus: a) Marketing and b) Philanthropy &
Partnerships. The Marketing team (4 staff) is responsible for all fundraising marketing activities across all
channels, driving donations and fundraising from the public including Individual Giving, Community and Events
fundraising, Brand management, and Communications including publications, media and pr, website
development, social media and digital marketing. The Philanthropy and Partnerships team (3 staff) is
responsible for Corporate Donors, Trusts & Foundations and other Major Donors.
II. Key functions of the role
This role is responsible for developing and delivering AMREF UK’s Fundraising and Communications strategy.
The organisation has an ambitious business plan that will see our financial contribution to AMREF’s work in
Africa double in the next 5 years, with stretching but well grounded growth projections across – Corporate,
Trusts and Foundations and Major Donors, and Individual Giving.This vision for growth is fully supported by the
AMREF UK Board and AMREF senior volunteer network, and everyone is willing and primed to play their role
at this exciting time. . Working in close collaboration with AMREF staff in the UK, in Africa and across the
network of Country offices globally , you will help AMREF UK to maximize income and increase our profile to
key audiences. You will have responsibility for all AMREF UK’s external facing activities and work
collaboratively with colleagues across AMREF globally to ensure the AMREF brand is employed consistently
and effectively across all channels and external communications objectives are delivered for the benefit of the
AMREF brand. You will lead and manage a talented team of 7 and help them to work together and with others
to maximize income and impact. As one of four on the Senior Management Team, you will help to lead the UK
organisation. Overall, you will be a key member of a passionate, professional and talented team in an
organisation that is growing in profile, size, capacity and influence.
III. Objectives of the role
AMREF UK: Director of Fundraising and Communications: Jan 2013
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1. Develop and implement AMREF UK’s fundraising and communications strategy and activities

Further develop and take ownership of the fundraising and communications team’s strategic direction

Lead on and be accountable for the development and implementation of the fundraising and
communications operational plan, setting clear and demonstrable targets both financial and non
financial

Report against the achievements of the plan

Provide leadership, motivation and support in order to maintain high quality team outputs and help
AMREF UK to achieve its objectives.

Ensure that effective fundraising initiatives are developed and delivered that significantly increase
income to AMREF UK.

Develop strong relationships with major donors and key stakeholders in the UK, ensuring that AMREF
is their charity of choice.

Develop budgets, tailored to any financial and human resource constraints, and report on progress and
variances.


Identify risks and take mitigating action to minimize their effects.
Understand and build relationships with key stakeholders within AMREF globally and ensure there is
effective communications and knowledge management, strong stewardship of donors, coordination of
new approaches to donors and set priorities for future fundraising.
2. Raise AMREF’s profile with key target audiences and ensure regular communication of AMREF’s key
messages to stakeholders

Work with the AMREF UK Board and staff to develop and refresh key messages and ensure strong,
consistent and strategic communications across AMREF UK’s work.

Ensure all materials including fundraising appeals, reports and the website dynamically promote
AMREF’s key messages.

Be a confident and passionate spokesperson for AMREF.

Work across AMREF globally to strengthen AMREF’s global communications.

Identify opportunities to communicate AMREF to a wider audience by bringing an African voice to the
health development debate in the UK.

Keep abreast of developments in the field of health development to ensure AMREF UK’s
communications are strategic and relevant.
3. Lead Fundraising to deliver increased income for AMREF UK

Further develop the organisation’s income strategy evaluating alternative strategies, making the case
for investment and trialing as appropriate.

Lead the team in the identification of opportunities to increase AMREF UK’s income.


4. Manage the UK Fundraising and Communications teamLead and support the team to ensure
they are delivering objectives to time and within budget.
Line manage direct reports, motivating, mentoring, monitoring, and supporting them in their line
management duties. taking full line management responsibility for the team.

Support the team to deliver high quality supporter care.

Ensure that efficient systems and procedures are developed and followed so that resources are
maximized.
5. As part of AMREF UK’s Senior Management Team contribute towards the achievement of AMREF
UK’s strategy.
 Provide input to AMREF’s plans and strategies
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
Manage the implementation of cross-AMREF projects as appropriate.

Implement the human resources policies, procedures and practices of the organization

Contribute to SMT meetings and appropriate decision making meetings

Maintain and build good working relations across AMREF globally with particular emphasis on
Fundraising and Communications colleagues.
6. Improve Knowledge Management
 Pro-actively think of ways to improve Knowledge Management (KM) across AMREF UK and
provide input into the development of new processes, policies and templates.
 Adhere to all KM processes, policies and templates that are developed, and evaluate and mine
internal/external sources of knowledge which can then be introduced to the AMREF UK website to
promote effective policy influencing.
 Promote and encourage effective Knowledge Management within the team as well as within other
AMREF networks.
7. General
 Delegate suitable work to AMREF staff/volunteers as appropriate.
 Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the line manager.
 Adhere to all AMREF policies and procedures.
Some out of hours work may be necessary as may travel to work overseas.
III. Competencies
The Director of Fundraising and Communications should demonstrate competence in the following:
An interest and passion for African health and a specific interest in AMREF’s work.
i. Strategic planning and thinking: Determine strategies to maximise opportunities,
mitigate against risks, move the organisation forward, set goals, create and implement
ii. action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
iii. Relationship building: Establish and maintain effective working relationships and
networks with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the
organisation.
Creativity, initiative and innovation: On own initiative, develop new and innovative
ways to create new fundraising opportunities and to improve operations of the
organisation.
Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the
organisation.
Effective communication: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely
manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
iv. Problem solving: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process
relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or
resolve the problem. Ensure (if appropriate) that positive learning is embedded Good
diplomatic and negotiating skills.
v. Organisation: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals,
and track details, data, information and activities, and report on these.
vi. Focus on stakeholders’ needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs
vii. of internal and external stakeholders to meet or exceed their expectations within the
organisational parameters.
viii. Systems and processes: Evaluate and improve methods, systems and processes to
maximise efficiency within the organisation.
ix. Teamwork fostering: Work cooperatively, dynamically, and effectively with others
x. to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organisational
effectiveness whilst working in a resource poor environment.
xi. Decision making: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks,
xii. and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organisation.
xiii. Ethical behaviour: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices, and ensure
that their own and the behaviour of others are consistent with these standards and
AMREF UK: Director of Fundraising and Communications: Jan 2013
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xiv. with the values of the organisation.
IV. Recruitment Qualifications
Experience / knowledge:

A minimum of five years of relevant experience of working in a multi-disciplinary fundraising and
communications role or similar with or within the private sector and a commitment to the values of
corporate social responsibility. A minimum of three-five years management experience, leading a
multidisciplinary team, including leadership skills to inspire a team, supporting and developing
individuals. Able to lead and motivate volunteers in addition to staff.

Demonstrable success in generating major gifts/fund generation and support through proposals and
presentations.

Experience of developing and implementing successful communications initiatives, profile raising and
working with the media.

A good understanding and knowledge of best practice in fundraising as well as sources of incomes.

Significant experience of budget development, management and reporting.

Knowledge and understanding of and a demonstrable passion for Africa, health and the development
context

Culturally sensitive.
Skills

A strong negotiator with the ability to make face-to-face asks for financial support at a significant level of
seniority

Outstanding written and oral communication skills

Presentation skills

Excellent at building strong relationships across a wide range of individuals and organisations.

An ability and commitment to provide both strategic leadership and to be hands on and operational where
necessary.

Excellent networking credentials and a network of contacts who can be engaged in AMREF’s work

Evidence of impressive strategic vision and maturity and a capability to inspire peers and subordinates to
deliver against the adopted strategy

A proven ability to support and mentor individuals and proactively support the development of a high
performance team.

Excellent time management skills and a drive for results.

IT literate and competent with Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Raisers Edge / A N Other customer
database.
V. To apply
Please send CV together with a covering letter setting out how you meet the person spec by 10am 4th February
2013 to jobs@amrefuk.org
AMREF will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
Interviews will take place on the Tuesday 26th February 2013
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