Fundraising and grants officer jobs

Salary: £49,100 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Closing date: 16 August 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: 24-25 August 2026

We are recruiting for two Interim Senior Programme Development Specialists:

· 5-month fixed term contract (from 21 September 2026 – 28 February 2027)

· 6-month fixed term contract (from 15 September 2026 – 15 March 2027)

Please specify in your application form which fixed term contract role you are applying for.

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

Do you want to play a key role in an experienced and passionate team supporting and shaping CARE International UK’s portfolio? Join the Programme Funding Team! The team shapes our restricted programme portfolio by securing funding from UK-based institutional donors, trusts and foundations, multilaterals and in some cases private sector donors.

The Senior Programme Development Specialist leads the design of complex proposals – including bids £20m+ and FCDO commercial contracts. They also play a vital role ensuring quality bid submissions to a variety of donors, aligning with CARE international UK’s impact objectives, in particular gender justice and local leadership. 

About the role

As the Senior Programme Development Specialist, you will manage a pipeline of institutional funding opportunities and be responsible for securing a significant proportion of CIUK’s restricted income. You will work in partnership with CARE country offices, national and international partners, finance colleagues, and technical advisory teams to identify, scope, bid for and secure new funding for programmes through both grant and commercial contract modalities. You will deliver a high-quality bidding process, submitting applications to funders such as FCDO, DEC, START Fund, Education Cannot Wait, Jersey Overseas Aid Committee, and Power of Nutrition. You will build learning from existing CARE programmes into bid design and design programmes in line with CARE policies and standards, as well as donor standards.

About you

You are a passionate and experienced funding specialist, with a proven track record in fundraising from key UK donors – including solid experience of commercial bidding and FCDO frameworks, trusts and foundations and corporate donors. You will have the ability to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams during proposal preparation, working with partners and colleagues in multiple locations. You have experience in and very good understanding of programme design and meeting institutional and corporate donor requirements. You have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. You are capable of building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders; you are a positive collaborator and a strong team player.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit theUK Government's guidance on right to work. 

Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be foundhere.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in theInter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).In line with this Scheme, we willrequest information from successful applicants’ previous employersabout any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment,or incidents under investigationwhen the applicant left employment.

· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equality and Diversity

We are committed toEquality and value Diversity. We are aDisability Confident Employerand particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to the HR Team.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

Role Overview

This is an exciting time to be joining the charity! Our new strategy focuses on growth and long-term sustainability, with ambitious plans to extend our reach and impact nationally and to expand and diversify our services. Our long-term ambition for the future is a transformed landscape of multi-disciplinary therapeutic support in schools, with UP acknowledged and recognised as a thought-leader, innovator, preferred collaborator and convener.

We are entering a period of significant growth and change driven by our new strategy, and the Clinical Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of our clinical approach, delivering our strategic priorities, and representing UP as a credible and influential clinical leader.

You will provide strategic clinical leadership and robust clinical governance across the charity, ensuring our services remain safe, effective, evidence-based and responsive to need. You will champion high standards of multidisciplinary practice, leading and developing our clinical workforce, providing clinical oversight and support, driving improvement and innovation, and building infrastructure, capability and clinical excellence needed to support our future growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic vision with operational delivery. While the role balances both strategic and operational responsibilities, we anticipate that, through building internal capability and capacity, the focus will evolve over time towards a greater emphasis on strategic leadership, innovation, growth and impact. There is real opportunity to make this role your own.

We are looking for a strategic, confident and adaptable leader who will thrive in a growing organisation and enjoy working innovatively and collaboratively. You will be able to inspire confidence and credibility across a wide range of audiences, be passionate about the value of multidisciplinary working to achieve the very best outcomes for children and families, and be motivated by the opportunity to lead meaningful and lasting change.

Making your application:

• Please make your application by submitting your CV, along with a cover letter which clearly demonstrates how you meet the person specification criteria (we will be shortlisting candidates closely against the person specification).
• Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis, as suitable applications are received. Please note that we may close the advert prior to the closing date, so please don’t delay submitting your application! We will keep you updated on your application by email, and will let you know about anything you will need to prepare if you are shortlisted.
• For further information, or if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application process, please contact us.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all those who work with us to share this commitment. It's a criminal offence for a person to apply to work with a group from which they have been barred from working.

Location: Bristol office, hybrid (minimum two days a week in the office)

Salary: £38,456 per year (Band F)

Job Type: Full-time (37.5 hours a week), fixed term for 12 months with the possibility of extension

The role:

Every year CSE's advice service helps thousands of people to cut their energy bills, improve their homes and stay warm. Thousands more struggle with cold homes and unaffordable bills without ever knowing that free, expert advice is available. This role exists to change that.

As Marketing Manager, you will grow awareness of, and referrals to, CSE's energy advice services across both B2B and B2C audiences. You will build relationships with the professionals and community organisations best placed to refer people to us and develop campaigns that reach householders directly.

You will own a sustained marketing plan, produce high-quality materials and measure your impact. Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will work closely with colleagues across Communications and our Household Energy Services team. It is a creative, fast-moving environment where good ideas get acted on.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• Develop and maintain a sustained, practical marketing plan for CSE's advice services, covering referrer engagement (B2B) and direct-to-public activity (B2C).
• Work with Household Energy Services project managers to set clear objectives and targets, and report on performance.
• Research and map the professional referrer landscape, identifying the right intermediaries for each project area.
• Build and maintain a segmented referrer database and lead a proactive outreach programme, re-engaging lapsed partners.
• Develop messaging and materials that help referrers understand our advice services and promote them confidently to their clients.
• Deliver public-facing campaigns across print, community and digital channels, including activity reaching people who are digitally excluded.
• Work with the Digital Communications Manager on project-specific digital activity, including Google Ads, website content and email campaigns.
• Produce print-ready materials independently in Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, in line with CSE's brand and co-branding guidelines.
• Own marketing measurement for the advice services, using data to inform decisions and make the case for investment.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

About you:

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Three to five years' experience in a marketing role, with responsibility for planning and delivering campaigns or marketing programmes.
• Experience of marketing to two distinct audiences: professional intermediaries (B2B) and members of the public (B2C).
• Experience of building and managing relationships with external organisations or referral networks.
• Experience of producing print-ready materials independently in Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite, working to brand and style guidelines.
• A strong communicator, able to turn complex information into clear, accessible content for non-specialist audiences.
• Analytical – able to interpret data, identify what is working and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Organised and self-directed, able to manage a varied workload across projects with minimal supervision.
• Able to manage a marketing budget, track spend and demonstrate value for money.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with genuine empathy for CSE's mission and the communities we support.

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.

Benefits:

CSE offer a range of other benefits including:

• You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• Company pension scheme with 8% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Cash plan
• Retail discounts
• Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
• We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
• We are flexible with working hours and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email address (found in candidate pack). Your application should demonstrate your suitability against the criteria in the person specification and job description. CVs and supporting letters will not be considered.