Vacancies

Job Description

Job title: Programmes Fundraising Manager

Salary: £27,000-£29,000, depending on experience. Employer's pension contribution equivalent to 6 per cent of salary. Five weeks' paid holiday.

Type of post: Two-year contract, full time (part time of at least 25 hours a week is possible for the right candidate). Flexible hours. Six-month probationary period.

Location: St Neots, Cambridgeshire

Responsible to: Secretary-treasurer and chair of Trustees' Board

Purpose of post: 1) Manage and develop VST's fundraising strategy. VST's medium term objective is to strengthen and diversify its fundraising portfolio, with a focus on increasing unrestricted income. 2) Work closely with the secretary-treasurer to develop the programmes in India. Post includes travel to India.

VST background:

History - formed 1976 by volunteers who worked at a rural health centre near Aundipatty, Tamil Nadu. Evolved from original health focus to broader development organisation.

Structure - Works through Indian partner Development Action Consortium Trust (DACT) and with federations of women's self help groups. Focus on Dalits.

People engaged in VST operations:
At UK office in Cambridgeshire: Programmes Fundraising Manager (full time, paid.) Secretary-treasurer (unpaid, part time.) Volunteers and interns. Board of Trustees.

In Tamil Nadu, India: VST Field Officer - paid, part time, based Aundipatty.

DACT senior personnel, including managing trustee (unpaid, part time, based Chennai) and director (full time, paid, based Theni.)

Key duties:

Fundraising

• Prepare and implement a fundraising strategy with the aim of doubling VST's unrestricted income over the next five years
• Prepare fundraising budgets, set and monitor fundraising targets, monitor results of fundraising activities
• Maintain good relationships with existing and new donors and actively recruit supporters among individuals and trusts
• Prepare budgets, proposals and reports for trusts and for public sector funders such as Dfid and the Big Lottery Fund, with the aim of maintaining the level of funding from such sources, currently around £250,000 a year
• Produce leaflets or other materials required to support proposals
• Write and design newsletters for donors
• Oversee the website and develop and implement strategies for internet-based fundraising
• Maintain accurate records of all donations and correspondence and maintain the fundraising database
• Recruit, manage and support the work of volunteers and interns
• Speak on behalf of VST and represent VST at fundraising and networking meetings
• Explore and implement other fundraising ideas of any nature

Assist in programme management (working with secretary-treasurer)

• Consider long term direction and nature of programmes
• Assess the quality of the programmes and partners, identifying weaknesses and how they can be remedied, and strengths and how they can be built on
• Work with our partner organisation in India developing its capabilities
• Co-ordinate field reports and produce reports for funders
• Maintain frequent contact with partners by phone and email
• Visit partners in India up to twice a year to assess the programmes and support the development of partners; develop thorough understanding of nature and aim of programmes
• Keep up with current trends in programme management

Assist with office administration (working with secretary-treasurer)

• Respond to general correspondence/enquiries
• Maintain files
• Maintain strong relationship with trustees to both inform and engage them with VST's work. Arrange trustees' meetings and take a full part in them
• Consult closely with the Secretary-treasurer on all matters and assist with all reasonable duties
• Prepare an annual report, and Charity Commission annual return
• Keep records of payments and receipts (but not the full accounts or payroll and personnel matters)
• Undertake all matters concerned with the upkeep of the office and its equipment.
• As a member of a small team undertake any necessary duties

Person Specification