PURPOSE:
The post holder will be responsible for leading the development and overseeing the implementation of Saferworld’s Funding and Communications strategies; broadening and deepening Saferworld’s funding base; and ensuring that the organisation’s communications are targeted, effective and efficient. In addition, s/he will play an important role as a member of Saferworld’s senior management team, contributing to developing and implementing organisation-wide priorities.
Specifically s/he will:
- Lead and inspire the Funding and Communications Team, providing effective line management and good strategic judgement;
- Lead the development and monitor the implementation of Saferworld's Funding and Communications strategies;
- Together with the Director and Heads of Programme, identify opportunities and develop new areas of Saferworld's Funding and communications work, and ensure their effective integration across the organisation;
- Together with the Director and Heads of programmes, undertake high-level representation and donor liaison for Saferworld;
- Make a positive contribution to Saferworld's organisational management, including strategic and business planning, financial and grant management and other organisation-wide functions.
REPORTING TO: Director
LINE MANAGEMENT: Funding Coordinator and Communications Advisor. In addition, s/he will task manage Saferworld’s Publications Coordinator and other staff and interns as
KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Saferworld's Head of Operations, Heads of Africa, Europe and Asia
Programmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy; Saferworld's donors, supporters and programme partners.
BACKGROUND
Saferworld believes that everyone should be able to lead peaceful fulfilling lives, free from insecurity and violent conflict.
Since its establishment in 1989, Saferworld, a non-governmental organisation, has made significant progress on a range of conflict prevention issues, including promoting conflict-sensitive approaches to development and security provision, controlling international arms transfers, promoting effective and accountable security and justice sector development, and supporting initiatives to tackle the spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Saferworld has developed its work both at the international level across these themes and in countries affected by conflict or insecurity, we have programmes in Africa, Europe and Asia. Saferworld has 48 members of staff. In addition to our headquarters in London, we have staff based in Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kosovo and Brussels.
We receive funding from a range of donors including governments, the European Commission, charitable trusts and individuals. Our income for the last financial year was £3.2 million. Saferworld is a growing and ambitious organisation with a clear vision and strategy for our future development. The post of Head of Funding and Communications is a new position and will lead the recently established Funding and Communications Team. The post-holder will also be part of the senior management team and as such will play an active role in the management and development of Saferworld.
Experience of high level funding, particularly from statutory donors, will be an important asset of the successful candidate. In addition, a track record of developing and managing related communications strategies will be important, as will the energy, commitment and drive that is required to help Saferworld fulfill its vision.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic planning
- Lead the development and oversee the implementation of Saferworld’s funding strategy (identifying opportunities for deepening the commitment of regular funders as well as broadening the existing funding base, including through engaging new statutory donors as well as from supporters, trusts and major givers).
- Lead the development of Saferworld's communications strategies and methods, including through coordinating organisational discussions on communications priorities.
- Ensure that these strategies both inform, and are informed by, Saferworld’s country and thematic strategies.
- Provide strategic input into the development of Saferworld’s organisation-wide Strategic and Business Plans through ensuring coordination and complementarity with Saferworld’s funding and communications strategies.
Programme development
- Work with the Director and Heads of Teams to identify opportunities for growth and expansion of Saferworld's work in line with its strategies and plans.
- Work with the Director and Heads of Teams to ensure the effective integration of new areas of funding and communications into Saferworld’s wider work.
- Working with the Director, Heads of Teams and the Funding Coordinator, to identify new opportunities, and to undertake funding visits as appropriate.
- Provide oversight of - and prepare as appropriate - funding proposals, working closely with the Head of Operations, geographic and thematic teams and the Funding Coordinator.
- Coordinate reporting on existing grants and lead on the production of narrative and financial reports, in close collaboration with geographic and thematic programmes, the Head of Operations, Financial Controller and Funding Coordinator.
- In close cooperation with the Head of Operations, ensure all Funding and grant management is conducted in line with Saferworld’s Funding Protocol and relevant procedures.
- Coordinate the organisation-wide Funding and Grant Management group comprising the Funding Coordinator, Head of Operations and geographic and thematic teams as appropriate which will meet periodically to assess funding opportunities and provide input into funding and grant management activities.
- Working closely with the Communications Advisor, lead the production of organisational communications outputs, including Saferworld’s annual report, its website, regular activity reports, supporter newsletters and marketing materials.
- Working closely with publications coordinator, oversee Saferworld’s publications schedule and publications procedures.
- Ensure the quality of Saferworld’s reports and external communications are written in accordance with organisational standards.
- Lead the development of new communications methods and products.
Monitoring, evaluation and learning.
- Contribute actively to the design and implementation of Saferworld’s monitoring and evaluation tools and activities, ensuring that lessons are learned and that successes are communicated effectively.
- Lead the process of drawing lessons from the implementation of Saferworld’s funding and communications strategies and work with the Director, the Planning and Evaluation Unit and other Heads of Teams to ensure Saferworld's development is informed by these lessons.
- Oversee the coordination of organisation-wide working groups relating to funding and communications to encourage reflection and ensure a consistent and coherent approach to these issues across Saferworld.
- Working with Geographic programmes, supporting (including through capacity-building visits) the development of Saferworld’s funding and communications capacities in its overseas offices, and with its partners.
Organisational leadership and management
- Undertake high-level representation for Saferworld including, but not limited to, donors and potential funders.
- Actively contribute to all aspects of Saferworld’s organisational development and management through active participation in Saferworld's management team.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will need:
Demonstrable experience of funding and communications, ideally relating to conflict prevention, security or development, including the following:
- Designing funding and communications strategies and plans;
- Engaging with statutory funders, including government Teams and UN agencies;
- Designing and participating in approaches to new funders and potential supporters;
- Experience of electronic and ‘traditional’ communications and marketing techniques and of supporter development;
- A good understanding of security, development and conflict prevention issues and the environments in which these issues are addressed is desirable;
- Existing relevant contacts in statutory agencies, trusts and other potential funding bodies;
- Proven ability to communicate with a range of audiences, including writing supporter appeals, newsletters, writing for the web, and developing a wide range of marketing materials;
- Five years senior management experience, including of staff and budgets, with an NGO, government, regional or international organisation;
- Proven ability to undertake and lead strategic planning, programme development and evaluation;
- Proven ability to manage and develop staff at all levels;
- Successful experience in management of change;
- An appropriate degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science, marketing and communications or a related field;
- Excellent written and spoken English, and preferably one other language;
- Proven negotiation and influencing skills;
- Ability to travel as required.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Probation: There will be a probationary period of three months.
Holidays: There are 25 days holiday a year (Jan-Dec) in addition to relevant public holidays.
Salary range: £35,000 - £45,000 gross per year.
Pension: 6% contribution to a personal pension fund after six months service (with 2% contribution from employee).
Hours: Standard working week is 37.5 hours a week. However, the demands of the job are likely to be such that a willingness to work longer hours, as required, will be necessary.
The position is based in London.