Job title jobs in sittingbourne, kent

This is a new role at Befriending Networks, as we seek someone who is up for the challenge of fundraising to support the continuation of our work in supporting the network of befriending organisations and ensuring that meaningful social connection is available to all.

The role will work closely with the CEO to deliver a fundraising strategy, which will focus on trusts, grant-givers, and corporate collaborations across the UK.  

You will be a skilled communicator, and you will be influential in how you present our work. You will be a self-starter and someone who takes pride in producing high-quality work. You will be courageous and curious as you work to position Befriending Networks as an investable charity. 

The key focus of this role

1. Generate income from small grants from trusts and foundations for specific projects and activities over the short to medium term.  

2. Assist the CEO in the preparation of strategic grant applications for work across the UK, with an initial focus on England, Scotland and Wales to deliver key priorities of our Strategic Plan over the longer term.

3. Development of potential corporate partnerships and collaborations. 

Position Title: Helpline Supervisor
Reports To: Helpline Manager / CEO
Salary: £36,000 per annum, plus pension and employer NI contributions
Hours: 40 hours/week
Contract: Permanent, full-time, flexibility required in work hours
Location: Remote / Office-based – some evening/weekend work required

Role Purpose:

The Helpline Supervisor will provide support, guidance and supervise the helpline advisors and in the future helpline volunteers. The role will further provide emotional support and debriefing for the helpline advisors and volunteers during each helpline shift and when appropriate after each reported incident. They will also oversee the quality of service and ensure each report is dealt with appropriately to a high standard and that reports are logged appropriately recording all relevant information, ensuring data is protected and all procedures are followed.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and emotional support to helpline advisors.
   

• Monitor call logs, case records, and system reports to ensure quality and flag complex or urgent cases.
   

• Ensure safeguarding protocols are followed and lead on referrals involving serious risk or protection concerns.
   

• Deliver pre-shift briefings, post-shift debriefs, and facilitate reflective practice sessions.
   

• Coordinate rotas and ensure adequate shift coverage.
   

• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training of helpline staff (and volunteers when).
   

• Promote staff wellbeing and implement trauma-informed approaches in staff support.
   

• Liaise with external agencies and partners to strengthen referral pathways and collaborative responses.
   

• Lead on service improvement by identifying trends, risks, and areas for development.
   

• Monitor and analyse service data to contribute to internal reviews and funder reporting.
   

• Ensure compliance with data protection, confidentiality, and safeguarding standards.

• Undergo regular training in trauma-informed approach, safeguarding, anti-Muslim hate and any other relevant topics.
   

Person Specification:

• Supervisory or senior experience in helpline, casework, or support services.
   

• Proven ability to provide emotional and professional support to frontline staff.
   

• Experience in handling safeguarding referrals and risk assessments.
   

• Trauma-informed approach and working knowledge of hate crime, discrimination, and support needs.
   

• Strong understanding of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
   

• Excellent understanding of British Muslim communities, their diversity, and everyday practices.
   

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
   

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
   

• Experience using communication and case management platforms (e.g., RingCentral, Zoho, Microsoft 365) is desirable but not necessary.
   

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, or impact reporting is desirable.
   

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Strong commitment to inclusion, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds feel heard, respected, and supported. This includes working sensitively with people of all faiths and none, and with diverse identities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, queer Muslims, Muslims from minority sects, and other marginalised or intersectional communities.
   

• Enhanced DBS check required (to be obtained on your behalf if your application is successful).
   

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and amendment from time to time in line with organisational needs. As the helpline opening hours extend then there is potential for the working hours and timings to change or increase.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled with a suitable candidate, with the aim of appointing someone by mid-August to early September. To apply, please send your CV and cover letter, Applicants are responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to work in the UK and will be required to provide ID and verification if shortlisted.

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.