Donor support officer jobs in Bristol

About EMMS International

EMMS International is Scotland’s longest-serving international healthcare charity, founded in 1841. From its Scottish base, it works with partners in India, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Scotland and Zambia to improve healthcare for people in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.

Its work focuses on four strategic priorities:

• Non-Communicable Disease: Improving access to care and quality of life for people with NCDs and life-limiting conditions.

• Global Healthcare Workforce: Training and empowering healthcare workers, especially women from low-income backgrounds, to address workforce shortages.

• Health Emergency Response: Supporting health systems to prepare for and respond to disasters and crises such as floods, earthquakes and food shortages.

• Sustainable Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare facilities and services, including infrastructure such as solar power, so they can withstand economic and environmental pressures.

EMMS works through local partners, takes a rights-based and inclusive approach, and designs sustainable programmes that respect the environment and promote human rights. Its origins lie in the Christian faith, and it serves people of all faiths and none.

Following an organisational review, EMMS is creating a new Director of Fundraising role, separating fundraising and communications into two Director posts. EMMS is financially stable with healthy reserves, currently raising around £400,000 per year in fundraised income, plus a significant time-limited major donor gift ending in 2028.

The Director of Fundraising will:

• Lead the development of a diverse, sustainable fundraising strategy across multiple income streams (trusts and foundations, major donors, individual giving, community, corporates, legacies).

• Be hands-on in delivering this strategy, supported by an experienced Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy and a Stewardship Manager.

• Manage and grow relationships with donors and stakeholders, meeting ambitious income targets.

• Oversee budgets, forecasting and reporting, and contribute to organisational strategic and business planning.

• Line manage fundraising staff, setting objectives/KPIs and supporting their development.

• Sit on the Executive Leadership Team and play a proactive role in the wider management and development of the charity, including reporting to the CEO and attending some Board meetings.

What they’re looking for:
An experienced senior fundraiser with a strong track record of strategic income growth across multiple channels, excellent relationship-building skills, strong leadership and team management experience, and knowledge of the Scottish charity and fundraising landscape. You should be confident operating strategically and operationally, familiar with fundraising regulation and good practice, and able to communicate effectively with both Christian and secular audiences in line with EMMS’ faith-based heritage and health mission. Degree-level education or equivalent experience is required; membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (or willingness to join) is expected.

Terms and benefits:

• Salary: £63,313 – £70,347 (depending on experience) with annual inflationary rise

• Remote role with monthly meetings in central Edinburgh (more frequently in first three months)

• 25–30 days annual leave (depending on length of service) + 10 public holidays

• 8% employer pension contribution with salary sacrifice

• Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicle lease

• Flexible working, travel expenses to office, access to Edinburgh office, some international travel

• Life assurance (three times salary) and Aviva Digi-Care app

Application:
Apply by CV and covering letter (each up to 2 pages) by Monday 12 January 2026.
Interviews in Edinburgh: First stage – Thursday 29 January 2026; second stage – Tuesday 3 February 2026.
You must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.

Summary

EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.

Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance. 

Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually. 

We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model. In the period, we are aiming to double our network reach, bringing an additional 50 Spots into the network.

We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the 2023 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder was a Finalist in the UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

We are excited by our future. 

About this role 

The Global Head of Operations is a new role being introduced in 2026 with the core purpose of strengthening systems, processes and strategic delivery across both EduSpots Global and EduSpots Ghana, offering hands-on support to the CEO and wider staff across a range of areas.

In this senior role, you will work closely alongside the CEO, offering her the advice and skills needed to move EduSpots successfully through a complex period of growth in a challenging fundraising context, enabling more learners and Catalysts to participate in a unique community-led model of education, whilst sharing our practice more widely.

We are looking for an organised and empathetic strategic leader, ideally with strong or developing skills across project management, finance, HR and MEL skills and an ability to work independently in a fast moving work environment.

This role has the potential to grow into a Director of Global Operations or Deputy CEO role in time for outstanding candidates, and carries significant organisation-wide responsibility.

Candidates should hold a genuine passion for educational equity, a strong belief in the power of community-led models to transform lives at scale and a high level of flexibility in a fast-changing yet friendly and playful work environment.

Whilst this role is remote, and open to all global candidates, you will need to have understanding and experience of UK law, accounting and policy development, or a strong appetite to build experience in this area quickly.

Main duties and responsibilities 

Systems

• Work with the CEO and staff to proactively strengthen systems and processes across the organisation, including monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and operations. 
• Support the wider team with IT, including general skill development, leading the Google Space system. 
• Monitor compliance to organisational policies and lead the quarterly review of the organisational risk register, working with the Ghana Head of Operations. 

Finance 

• Work with the Finance and Admin Officer to produce monthly and quarterly global management accounts, cash flow analysis and to complete the annual audit. 
• Lead the financial planning of the organisation, working with the CEO and the Ghana Head of Operations to create the annual budget. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to strengthen financial systems, processes, and training across the organisation. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to prepare budgets for funding bids as needed.
• Work with the grants team to track grant spending and produce consolidated financial reports (including expenditure from the UK and Ghana) for donors. 
• Ensure EduSpots’ new accounting software (QuickBooks) is fully embedded and utilised.
• Oversee bank account management, including payments, checking bank statements, and reviewing bank reconciliations for UK and Ghana.
• Ensure staff payroll (likely to be outsourced) and payments to freelancers / consultants are done accurately and in a timely manner.

HR

• Work alongside the CEO, Head of Operations, Safeguarding and Inclusion Managers  and wider staff to develop strategies to sustain and strengthen a high performing and friendly work culture. 
• Work across the team to strengthen HR and performance management structures, informed by best practice and legal frameworks. 
• Lead the recruitment of staff, consultants and volunteers in the UK (advertising roles, drafting contracts, contacting referees and completing all filing and administration relating to recruitment).
• Onboard new staff, provide training on policies and procedures, and track key information (leave, appraisals, etc) for UK staff. 
• Regularly review and keep the Staff Handbook up to date.
• Depending on skill-set, work with the CEO to lead professional development for staff across the organisation, liaising with trustees and advisory group members.

Administration & Governance

• Manage and maintain databases and our Google Drive system. 
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and adherence to our child safeguarding and protection policy. 
• Maintain insurance renewals, tracking and filing.
• Review and keep up to date all organisational policies in line with current legislation, working with the Trustees and Directors. 
• Assist the CEO in the administration relating to EduSpots’ governance, including board meeting arrangements and minute taking.
• Support the CEO in all ad-hoc tasks that arise, working closely alongside her to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. 

Strategic insight 

• Work closely with the CEO and staff/Catalysts across the organisation to ensure all EduSpots’ decision-making is strategic and in the best interests of the Catalysts, Sparks and Communities we partner with. 

Other areas 

• Depending on experience, you may in time take on management responsibilities for some staff, but this role is principally a systems strengthening and quality improvement role, working closely with the CEO to offer advice and additional capacity. 
• Depending on experience, you may support with grants writing / management and/or community fundraising. Experience of fundraising would be of significant benefit to the organisation in this key leadership role. 

Personal Specification 

Essential 

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience of operations in a small/medium charity context. 
• Self-starter with the ability to hit the ground running and work with minimal supervision with high levels of flexibility.
• Self-motivated, with an ability to motivate and energise others.
• High level strategic understanding, critical thinking and the ability to strengthen systems in a fast-paced high performance environment.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• The ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, creative and impact-driven culture. 
• Strong administrative skills with a high level of attention to detail. 
• Experience in creating user-friendly tools and processes to support project and quality management.
• Experience using Google Suite, with strong Excel skills.
• Tech savvy – ability to learn new tech tools efficiently.
• Experience coordinating others. 
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with strong empathy and cultural sensitivity 
• Strong personal alignment with the mission, vision and values of EduSpots. 

Highly desirable 

• Experience supporting charity Boards, and working with external bodies including auditors, tax authorities, and other official bodies is highly desirable.
• Experience complying and strong familiarity with UK charity regulations and requirements.
• Experience preparing budgets and financial reports for donors/grants. 
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural team.
• Experience of working with an international charity would be advantageous. 

Please send a tailored covering letter and CV addressed to the CEO Miss Cat Davison by Wednesday 31st December with a hope to meet shortlisted candidates for a first-round interview in the week starting Monday 12th January. 

Role outline and purpose

The Development Manager – Trusts & Foundations is responsible for delivering new relationships with a wide spectrum of Trusts and Foundations to grow our portfolio of high value funding partners. Responsible for developing compelling propositions and applications that drive transformational funding for our strategic programmes of work, maximising income generation, though prospecting, cultivating and securing funding to deliver against our strategic objectives and ambitious income targets.

This role is part of the Together with Trussell programme, the goal of which is to build stronger connections with our supporters, partners and donors in order to increase funding, campaigning, and other forms of support for our work. As a member of an enabling programme, this role is focused on the successful delivery of the Together with Trussell programme outcomes, which underpin and enable the outcomes of our 5 external programmes - together contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

· Work with the Programme Funding team to deliver our income generation strategy, meeting income targets based on long term financial forecasts, by proactively developing new opportunities, propositions and relationships with a wide variety of Trusts and Foundations – including corporate foundations, family trusts and institutional trusts.

· Proactively identify, develop and nurture relationships with potential funders to maximise fundraising potential.

· Work alongside the High Value Partnerships team to ensure new funders are onboarded and handed over to account management and supporting with compelling propositions to uplift and retain their support.

· Provide line management support to the Development Officer – Trusts.

· Collaborate with our marketing and content teams to ensure we can communicate the impact of our high value supporters on our mission.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· High value fundraising experience, preferably including raising funds from Trusts and Foundations, delivering strategic partnerships, or applicable commercial background.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to analyse data and budgets and use CRM software.

· Ability to establish credibility quickly with a range of stakeholders, with the influencing and clear communication skills.

· Able to manage multiple projects and relationships, communicate priorities and identify and resolve conflict.

Behaviours and competencies:

· Exemplify Trussell values and demonstrate a commitment to inclusive behaviour and leadership.

· Able to think strategically to identify synergies, linking programmatic activity with funder motivations.

· Comfortable working in a fast paced, high performing and highly relational organisation, combining problem solving with collaborative interpersonal skills.

· A confident communicator and presenter, diplomatic, effective at building rapport, and able to approach challenges with positivity and high energy.

Key Stakeholders

· Head of Programme Funding and team

· Partnership Development Team

· Potential Partners and Funders

· Programme Teams

Partnerships Manager: Grantmakers 

Reports to: Executive Director  
Contract: Full-time  

Role Purpose  

As Partnerships Manager: Grantmakers, you will lead the development and delivery of HOST’s Hosted Grantmaking service — ensuring that funders can move resources quickly, safely, and transparently to the people driving change.  

You will oversee funder relationships and hosted grantmaking delivery, building systems that ensure clarity, compliance, and care at every stage. Working closely with the Delivery Circle, you’ll strengthen due diligence, grant management, and reporting processes — enabling funders to trust that every pound achieves its intended impact.  

In order to respond to growing demand, you will build and manage the Hosted Grantmaking Community Support Team and liaise and coordinate with the Delivery Team, ensuring HOST has the capacity and expertise to meet growing global demand for hosted funds.  

This role is central to HOST’s ambition to become a trusted backbone for civil society infrastructure — connecting funders and change-makers through integrity, efficiency, and shared purpose.  

Core Responsibilities  

1. Hosted Grantmaking Leadership  

Lead the delivery and growth of HOST’s Hosted Grantmaking service, working closely with the Executive Director, Operations Director and other Partnership Managers, ensuring alignment between funder expectations, hosted partner needs, and internal delivery capacity.  

Co-design and coordinate the Hosted Grantmaking Delivery Team, coordinating with the Delivery Circle (Finance, Due Diligence, and Legal) to ensure seamless grant operations.  

Strategic oversight of hosted grantmaking cycles — from application to disbursement and reporting — ensuring accuracy, speed, and compliance in delivery.  

Reporting cadence: Monthly Hosted Grantmaking performance report to Executive Director and Operations Director.  

2. Hosted Grantmaking Community Support and Relationship Management  

Build and lead the Hosted Grantmaking Community Support Team, ensuring all funders and hosted funders receive consistent, proactive, and informed communication.  

Strengthen HOST’s funder community by developing engagement pathways, events, and resources that deepen relationships and mutual learning.  

Maintain high standards of care, responsiveness, and accountability across all funder interactions.  

Reporting cadence: Monthly funder community and relationship management summary.  

3. Due Diligence and Grant Facilitation  

Work with the Delivery Circle, Grants Manager, and Partnerships Manager: Funders to deliver due diligence processes that are rigorous, efficient, and scalable.  

Ensure all funder agreements, compliance documentation, and grant records are accurate, up to date, and audit-ready.  

Support the development of clear SOPs for due diligence and hosted grantmaking workflows in collaboration with the Legal Lead and Operations Team.  

Reporting cadence: Monthly compliance and due diligence report.  

4. Funder Relationship Stewardship and Growth  

Support the Partnership Team to manage relationships with key funders and philanthropic partners, ensuring HOST is recognised as a trusted, transparent delivery partner.  

Develop funder engagement plans and manage the funder relationship lifecycle from onboarding through renewal.  

Identify new funder opportunities aligned with HOST’s mission and facilitate introductions for the Partnerships Director and Executive Director.  

Reporting cadence: Quarterly relationship development review.  

5. Reporting and Communications  

Oversee funder reporting and impact communications, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with HOST’s tone of voice.  

Work with the Engagement Team to produce funder updates, case studies, and inputs to the HOST Impact Report.  

Ensure funders and partners understand the value, integrity, and impact of HOST’s services.  

Reporting cadence: Quarterly reporting and communications alignment.  

6. Systems and Process Development  

Maintain clear funder and grant records across ClickUp, Zendesk, and CRM systems.  

Develop and maintain SOPs for Hosted Grantmaking, funder engagement, and due diligence workflows.  

Ensure consistent alignment between partnership data and financial reporting.  

Reporting cadence: Quarterly systems and SOP review.  

7. Risk, Compliance, and Escalation  

Identify and escalate financial, operational, or reputational risks associated with hosted grantmaking or funder engagement.  

Collaborate with the Legal Lead, Delivery Team, and Executive Director on mitigation actions and documentation.  

Contribute to HOST’s monthly organisational risk report.  

Reporting cadence: Real-time escalation; monthly consolidation.  

8. Collaboration and Cross-Team Development  

Work with the Partnerships Manager: Funders to align Hosted Grantmaking within HOSTs wider donor engagement.   

Work with the Partnerships Manager: Changemakers to align Hosted Grantmaking with the Hosted Partner Journey.  

Collaborate with the Training Lead and Data Analyst to integrate learning, performance, and impact insights into service design.  

Contribute to the continuous improvement of HOST’s partnership management framework.  

Reporting cadence: Quarterly service development meeting.  

Key Relationships  

Internal: Executive Director, Operations Director, Partnerships Manager: Funders, Partnerships Manager: Changemakers, Finance, Legal, Operations, Communications, Data Analyst, and Training Lead.  
External: Funders, philanthropic networks, and hosted grant recipients.  

Required Experience 

• 5–8 years’ experience in funder relations, partnerships management, or programme delivery within the not-for-profit, social enterprise, or philanthropic sectors. 

• 3–5 years’ experience overseeing grantmaking, regranting, or fund distribution programmes, ideally across multiple geographies or funder types. 

• Proven ability to manage and grow funder relationships, including institutional, philanthropic, or high-net-worth funders. 

• Demonstrated experience leading or building a small team, with responsibility for coaching, supervision, and performance management. 

• Strong background in due diligence, compliance, and risk assessment, particularly in relation to funder funds and hosted grantmaking. 

• Proven success developing and maintaining systems, SOPs, and cross-team coordination for complex funder or grant processes. 

• Experience managing financial reporting and data-driven insights to meet funder and audit requirements. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver confident, values-aligned communications to funders and partners. 

• Strong organisational and project management skills — able to balance multiple grants, deadlines, and stakeholders effectively. 

• Experience working with CRM and project management platforms (e.g. ClickUp, Zendesk, Salesforce, or similar 

Contract: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week), permanent with 6-month probation period

Salary: £56,650-70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Location: Remote working, with option to use co-working space

Start Date: As soon as possible

Reports to: Executive Director

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

Closing Date: 4th January 2026 (23:59 GMT)

To apply, please submit the following: 

• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

• CV

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

BASIC is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function during a period of sustained growth. The Financial Controller will work across Programme teams ensuring strong financial management and reporting to funding partners, maintain strong financial controls, ensure compliance with charity finance regulations, and provide accurate financial reporting to our Directors and Board of Trustees.

The Financial Controller will oversee the small finance team, including line management of a Finance Assistant and management of an external bookkeeper consultant. This team will be responsible for the majority of financial accounting, processing payroll, and accurate bookkeeping, for which the Financial Controller will be ultimately accountable.

The role includes managing restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements and programme needs, preparing statutory accounts for external audit, and overseeing payroll processing. This role reports directly to the Executive Director to prepare annual budgets and financial strategy, and works closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee to present its implementation.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical accounting skills, experience in charity finance, and a proven track record of effective financial management of a growing organisation. You should be comfortable both managing a small team and working hands-on when needed, building collaborative relationships across the organisation. You will need to be a multitasker with the ability to work at pace, and be willing to develop the finance function and best practices to enable the organisation to grow further.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate financial records and bookkeeping in accordance with charity accounting standards (SORP)

• Prepare monthly management accounts including variance reporting and rolling forecasts

• Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the annual independent audit process in its entirety

• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements

• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and funding partners

Financial Operations

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including payment processing, staff expenses, and cost allocation (including staff costs)

• Oversee monthly payroll using QuickBooks (led by Finance Assistant)

• Manage treasury functions including bank and cash management

• Oversee procurement of key assets such as IT equipment

• Cashflow management

Grant and Budget Management

• Support budget development for funding bids and proposals

• Monitor spend against grants and projects, working towards full cost recovery

• Prepare financial reports for donors and funding partners

• Lead annual budget-setting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director

Financial Systems and Controls

• Develop and maintain robust financial systems, processes, and controls

• Continuously improve finance processes and identify efficiencies

• Advise on financial governance and best practice

• Manage financial risks and opportunities (e.g., insurance, foreign exchange)

Team Management and Stakeholder Relations

• Line manage the Finance Assistant and oversee external bookkeeper consultant

• Build collaborative relationships across the organisation

• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders including banks, international transfer services, and audit partners

• Work closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee and BASIC's Treasurer

Please note: This list is not exhaustive. Other tasks may be required as they arise.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or part-qualified with significant relevant experience
• Proven experience in a mid-level to senior finance role, with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting
• Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audit processes
• Experience in a growing organisation, implementing and improving financial systems and controls
• Strong technical accounting skills and understanding of financial controls
• Excellent numeracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency with accounting software (experience with QuickBooks highly desirable)
• Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable working hands-on when needed while also providing strategic oversight
• Ability to work at pace in a fast-growing organisation
• Commitment to BASIC's mission and values

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in charity finance and understanding of charity accounting standards (SORP)
• Experience line managing finance staff
• Experience in an international organisation or with international funding
• Understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements