About Saferworld
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working in partnership with civil society to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work in solidarity with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and we build conditions for peace and justice. We also support analysis and learning to influence local, national and international policies and practices that help foster lasting peace and justice. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives free from fear and insecurity. We operate on a not-for-profit basis with partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with nine offices across those regions and offices in the UK, USA and Belgium.
Saferworld is committed to providing a safe, trusted environment that safeguards our staff, partners and communities. Our organisational integrity is derived from the values and principles that underpin and guide our work.
We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Head of Funding and Programme Development with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and mobilise resources in a values-driven environment. This role calls for a leader who is deeply committed to equitable partnerships with communities and organisations in conflict-affected settings, guiding teams to raise resources effectively while advancing peace and justice outcomes. Grounded in a people-centred vision of change, you will foster collaboration, champion locally-led approaches, and steer efforts toward resourcing sustainable, community-driven, and collective visions of peace.
About the role
- The Head of Funding and Programme Development will shape Saferworld’s income profile in alignment with our organisational strategy and change process. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring it supports our strategic, programmatic and operational priorities.
- The role will focus on strengthening the quality, flexibility and diversity of Saferworld’s funding base, nurturing relationships with strategic institutional donors, growing philanthropic funding, and identifying new income opportunities.
- This is an exciting opportunity to influence Saferworld’s fundraising and programme development approach during a pivotal period for the organisation. The role will line-manage a small team across programme development, philanthropy and funding.
Key responsibilities
- As part of Saferworld’s senior leadership, you will support organisation-wide initiatives and contribute to strategic decision-making. You will monitor funding trends, identify emerging issues relevant to Saferworld’s work and partnership approaches, and develop appropriate strategies to respond.
- Working closely with the Senior Operations Team, you will ensure funding plans are developed across business units and thematic/regional areas, and that income pipelines are maintained while quality assurance and active cost recovery are proactively pursued. You will oversee the funding and prospects pipeline, produce data and analysis to support decision-making, and provide regular reporting to senior leaders and the Board.
- Externally, you will represent Saferworld with key donors, partners and networks, building strategic relationships and identifying funding opportunities.
- You will lead the development, implementation and monitoring of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring a balanced, ethical and diverse portfolio of restricted and unrestricted income streams. This will include securing quality funding against agreed targets and supporting income diversification through trusts and foundations, commercial funding, and other sources.
- You will work closely with Saferworld’s Grant Management Team to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to donor relationship management and cultivation. You will also lead the design of multi-country and thematic proposals, as well as consortia bid development, to strengthen partnerships and support new ways of resourcing Saferworld’s strategy.
- The post-holder will set standards for collaborative and participatory programme design, manage proposal development processes from opportunity notice to contract signing, and ensure learning from donor feedback is used to strengthen our fundraising approach.
- You will lead the Funding Leadership Team to ensure cross-organisational ownership of fundraising efforts, and work closely with regional, thematic, policy and grant management colleagues throughout the funding cycle.
People and leadership
- You will line-manage the Funding and Programme Development Team and foster an environment where staff feel empowered, take responsibility and are accountable for achieving organisational objectives.
- You will ensure the team facilitates strong participatory programme design and proposal development with partners and staff, embedding Saferworld’s organisational values and principles. You will also support the team to work closely with colleagues across the organisation, grounding proposals in learning, evidence and evaluation findings.
About you
- You will bring proven senior leadership experience in funding, with a track record of developing and implementing funding strategies and raising income through a range of donors, including individuals, institutions, trusts and foundations. You will also have experience securing high-value contracts and grants of seven figures.
- You will have strong experience of leading complex participatory programme design, including developing budgets, monitoring frameworks and proposals. You will be confident coordinating programme development processes with multiple teams and partners to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.
- You will have a proven track record of motivating, mentoring and managing a team, and supporting that team to think creatively about fundraising. You will also be confident developing networks, building alliances, and nurturing relationships with individuals, collaborators and funders.
- You will bring a strong understanding of key political, development and humanitarian trends and debates, particularly linked to peacebuilding, development, human rights, governance, and security and justice. You will also have sound knowledge of UK civil society and charity regulatory requirements, and an understanding of the current international aid, peacebuilding and human rights funding environment.
- Experience of working and/or living in conflict-affected contexts, and understanding of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, are desirable.
Skills and qualities
- You will have excellent leadership and management skills, including strategic planning and business development. You will be able to provide sound financial and compliance advice, demonstrate good financial stewardship, and bring a creative, proactive approach to your work.
- You will be able to set priorities while working under pressure, adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities, and move between hands-on involvement in proposal writing and strategic oversight.
- You will bring strong communication skills, including experience of communicating across cultures and with diverse audiences. You will understand the power imbalances that may be reflected in programme design and budgeting, and bring a strong commitment to inclusive processes and to shifting power and resources to partners.
- You will be committed to Saferworld’s vision, mission and values, including equality, diversity and safeguarding. You will be able to lead by example and create a safe and respectful environment for all staff.
Application process
- Please apply through our vacancy portal on the Saferworld Jobs website.
- Upload your CV and a covering letter addressing the person specification and explaining why your experience matches the requirements of the role.
Deadline for applications: 3 August 2026
Interviews planned: Week commencing 10 August 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are excited to be recruiting for the new part-time position of Development Operations Officer at Linacre College.
Our Benefits
- 38 days of annual leave, which includes the 8 statutory public holidays, a day off to support your wellbeing and the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- A meal (usually lunch) is provided free of charge when you are on duty and when the College kitchen is operational.
- All staff are members of the Common Room and have access to a vibrant college community with clubs, sport and recreation facilities.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Enhanced family leave.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) through Health Assured.
About the Team
The Alumni Relations and Development Office is a small, collaborative team responsible for alumni engagement, fundraising, alumni events, and stewardship activity. Working closely with senior College leadership and colleagues across departments, the team delivers a varied programme of events and communications to strengthen engagement and support the College’s development priorities. As a small office, the team works flexibly and collaboratively, with clearly defined but complementary roles. The Development Operations Officer will work closely with the Alumni Relations and Development Manager and the Alumni Relations and Events Officer, and will maintain a close working relationship with the Finance Office.
About the Role
The Development Operations Officer is responsible for the day-to-day operation and continuous improvement of the systems, data, reporting and financial processes that underpin fundraising and alumni relations activity at Linacre College. Working at the heart of a small and ambitious team, the postholder will manage the College’s CRM system (Raiser’s Edge/NXT), and will take responsibility for gift administration, reconciliation, data integrity, reporting, segmentation and operational processes. The role requires sound judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to resolve data, process and finance discrepancies independently within agreed frameworks.
The postholder will provide specialist operational expertise to colleagues, advising on data selection, reporting outputs, CRM use and process improvements. They will play an important role in ensuring that fundraising activity is supported by accurate information, reliable systems and effective financial controls. This is a varied and hands-on role. The postholder will manage a specialist area of Development operations, identify and resolve problems, improve working practices, and support the College’s fundraising ambitions through high-quality data and operational delivery.
How to Apply
Applications are made using the application form on the vacancies page of our website.
Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application (maximum of 2-3 pages) outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification, as well as the name and contact details of two referees.
The closing date for applications is 15 July 2026 (end of day). Interviews, including a skills test, are currently scheduled to take place in the week commencing 20 July 2026.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Linacre College offers a stimulating and supportive graduate community which is rich in diversity and egalitarian in its ethos.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £48,748 - £54,164
Plus London Weighting Allowance of £3,366 for Inner London-based staff, where applicable
If you are an experienced mass participation fundraising leader who wants your work to make a lasting difference, this is an opportunity to lead high-profile fundraising activity that helps protect children and improve childhoods across the UK.
This senior role sits within a supporter-led fundraising function and is responsible for leading a mass participation portfolio spanning third party events, DIY fundraising and schools fundraising. You will provide leadership to the team, shape fundraising strategy, strengthen supporter journeys and drive sustainable income growth.
This maternity cover role needs someone who can provide calm and credible leadership, and support a team through an important period that includes a London Marathon over two days, The Great North Run and the Cardiff Half Marathon, and the continued development of fundraising products.
Why this role matters
You will join at a pivotal time, leading a function that plays an important part in fundraising strategy by bringing in new supporters, deepening relationships and increasing long-term value. You will help ensure that participants receive an excellent experience while maximising the income they generate.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading a mass participation fundraising portfolio across third party events, DIY fundraising and schools fundraising, with accountability for performance and growth
- Owning budget performance across core income streams, including monitoring, managing and reforecasting financial performance and putting contingency plans in place where needed
- Developing and delivering strategy for participant acquisition, stewardship and retention, ensuring supporters are onboarded well and encouraged to build a longer-term relationship
- Leading and developing a team through coaching, mentoring, performance management and regular engagement
- Working collaboratively across departments to build strong supporter journeys, compelling propositions and coordinated plans
- Managing key agency and supplier relationships that support income growth and supporter satisfaction
- Helping the team navigate a busy year, including a new two-day London Marathon, growth in schools fundraising products and improvements to the DIY fundraising offer
- Supporting team wellbeing, removing blockers for experienced managers and giving more hands-on guidance where needed
What we’re looking for
- Significant leadership experience in mass participation fundraising, including events, DIY fundraising or schools fundraising
- Strong strategic planning and development skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for growth
- Substantial experience of budget management and financial planning
- Good understanding of acquisition marketing strategies and integrated marketing planning
- Strong people leadership skills, including managing a diverse and geographically dispersed team and adapting your approach to different levels of experience
- The ability to influence senior stakeholders, build strong peer relationships and keep complex projects moving forward
- Experience of managing supplier and agency relationships, including performance and service delivery
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively
- A strong understanding of the financial drivers behind fundraising performance, including metrics such as average gift and remittance rates
- Willingness to work flexibly and travel to support a national events portfolio
Working pattern
The team largely works remotely, with quarterly in-person meetings in London and occasional travel to major events. Hybrid contracts are also available. The role will require attendance at key events and some travel as needed.
What’s on offer
- Salary of £48,748 - £54,164
- London Weighting Allowance of £3,366 for Inner London-based staff, where applicable
- The opportunity to lead an established fundraising area that plays an important role in generating support for children across the UK
Our commitment
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is essential for this role.
We are committed to fairness, equality and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.
