Head of business support jobs in belfast

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

Project Manager, Policy Fellow

Terms: Part-time 4 days a week; fixed-term contract to 31 March 2026, with possibility of extension

Salary: £36,050-46,350

Location: Remote working, with the opportunity to work from co-working space if agreed and regular in-person team meetings.

Start Date: September 2025

Line Manager: Programme Manager, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament

Line Management Responsibilities: External Consultant (Non-Resident Fellow)

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK, Germany, or Italy. 

Closing Date: 5th September 2025.

Please note that, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.

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.

For nearly 40 years, we have developed a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to help states overcome complex strategic and political differences. 

We comprise an intellectually and culturally diverse team of expert-practitioners with wide-ranging areas of expertise, globally headquartered in London with presences in Berlin and Rome. We are recognised internationally for our inclusive and positive team culture.

We are proud to be an independent voice in policy debate, and we are transparent about our funders and funding ethics. We receive no core funding from any state.

About Nuclear for Good

Nuclear for Good is an interdisciplinary movement dedicated to promoting the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and combat the global ecological crises. 

The movement celebrates the myriad positive impacts that nuclear technologies can have when applied responsibly across human and environmental development, and is building a groundswell of international support and knowledge to advance their uptake and impacts.

The movement will represent a multi-stakeholder coalition of policy experts, academics, private sector technologists, nuclear regulators, and international development professionals globally unified by this shared belief in the positive roles of nuclear technologies.

Role Description

BASIC is seeking a motivated and dynamic leader to serve as the Head of the Nuclear for Good movement. This individual will be expected to lead the Nuclear for Good Steering Group to grow the movement’s membership, co-develop movement strategy, develop its funding, and supercharge its impact.

This high-impact role offers the opportunity to manage a positive and dynamic initiative seeking to advance multiple interlinked goals, including: sustainable development; food and water security, sustainable energy futures, and nuclear non-proliferation. The successful candidate will bring a strong record of policy engagement, project delivery, and leadership in international development, international security, or nuclear governance.

The successful candidate will oversee the project’s delivery across multiple outputs, working closely with internal and external partners, including international consultancies, technical experts, and UK government stakeholders.

The Head of Nuclear for Good is expected to be an enthusiastic professional with outstanding communication skills in the field of nuclear policy. Responsible for overseeing a set of specific tasks, they must demonstrate a clear understanding of and alignment with the movement's overall objectives, strategies and goals. The position will report to the Programme Manager of  the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Programme.

Taking charge of the Nuclear for Good movement, the appointed individual will navigate the entire project cycle, from generating fundraising ideas to developing them further and building knowledge of funding relationships. 

The Head of Nuclear for Good must be a strong communicator, with the ability to translate relevant scientific and technical ideas to a general audience. This skillset must be coupled with a proven ability to build community, conduct high-level networking and outreach activities. The ideal candidate is an established public figure with a specialisation in nuclear science and technology issues as well as, ideally, some knowledge of the peaceful uses pillar of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

The Head of the Nuclear for Good movement will need to deliver a set of key deliverables during the contract, to advance the project’s international reach and influence.

To advise the existing Steering Group, the successful candidate will need to start by appointing an Advisory Group to the project, comprising experts with diverse nuclear-related specialities to support the movement. The Advisory Group will meet quarterly.

The main thrust of the role is geared around an ambitious outreach and community-building strategy. The successful candidate will recruit new member organisations, individuals, and influencers to the movement – exchanging ideas and further developing Nuclear for Good’s strategy and goals as the movement evolves. As a multi-stakeholder movement, the pool of potential members could include policy experts, academics, private sector technologists, nuclear regulators, and international development professionals.

The successful candidate will attend a range of key conferences related to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, non-proliferation, and sustainable development. These include the UN General Assembly First Committee, the IAEA General Conference, and the UN Climate Conference. Participation in these events will help raise awareness of the project among relevant stakeholders. This will include organising a side event at the IAEA General Conference. This activity will not only promote the movement to new audiences, but also demonstrate our support for the IAEA and its flagship initiatives, while inviting attendees to apply to join the Nuclear for Good network.

2. Stakeholder Engagement

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead monthly Steering Group meetings. 

• Maintain active communication with UK government stakeholders.

• Oversee delivery by subcontracted partners.

• Ensure contractual obligations are met and outputs are delivered to agreed standards.

3. Fundraising

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop a project, by independently and confidently scoping funding opportunities.

• Liaise with the Programme Manager on funding priorities and opportunities.

• Manage projects with minimal day-to-day manager input.

• Develop new and existing relationships with funders.

• Write and edit funding applications.

4. Communications

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Collaborate with various stakeholders including international partners to build strong funding relationships.

• Facilitate dialogue and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.

• Promote our / their work confidently and internationally. 

• Skillfully use online social media platforms, and press contacts.

5. Office support

Applicants will need to be able to support the running of the organisation and colleagues with a range of administrative tasks wherever required.

Role Requirements

Essential:  Educated to Master’s level – or demonstrate the equivalent in work experience

Essential:  7+ years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues

Essential:  Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security

Essential:  Familiarity with issues relating to civil nuclear energy, strategic stability, or dual-use technologies is essential.

Essential:  Demonstrated ability and track record in leading the creative development and delivery of policy projects in the UK or internationally, including budgeting and reporting

Essential:  Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority and function

Essential:  Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research

Essential:  Well-developed interpersonal skills, including evidence of working successfully as part of a team

Essential:  Strong track record of previous fundraising experience and success

Essential:  Experience organising policy roundtables and workshops

Essential:  Willingness to travel internationally when required

Essential:  Strong organisational skills and an eye for detail

Essential:  Good personal network in their research area

Essential:  Previous line management experience

Desirable:  Science/technology or ideally science communication background

Desirable:  Formal project management qualification