Director of Fundraising & Communications

Friends of Ibba Girls School (FIGS), which supports Ibba Girls’ Boarding School in South Sudan, is seeking a highly experienced Director of Fundraising and Communications to develop its fundraising strategy, secure new donors, meet ambitious fundraising targets and raise awareness of and support for FIGS through a variety of communication methods.

Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan (FIGS)

Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan (FIGS) was set up in 2011 in response to a specific request from local community leaders to help them translate into reality their vision to build and develop a girls’ boarding school in South Sudan in order to enable girls to complete primary and secondary education rather than drop out of school due to poverty and family pressures.

FIGS has raised over £4.9 million over the last 10 years, particularly through relational fundraising from the wide network of individuals who donate through regular giving, mainly in the UK but also internationally.  Other sources of funds include schools, churches, trusts and foundations, corporates, and business philanthropists, as well as a yearly campaign through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

FIGS has a committed and hardworking body of trustees, chaired by Chris Trott, former British Ambassador to South Sudan, and now British Ambassador to the Holy See based in the Vatican City, Rome.  The charity currently employs 2 staff who work on fundraising, communications and administration.

In 2023 FIGS Trustees commissioned Windle Trust International (a well-managed UK charity with a long track record of effective work in South Sudan and sub-Saharan Africa) to act as FIGS managing agents in South Sudan, and to provide professional, technical and management advice and support to Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS). 

Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS)

Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS) now educates over 300 primary and secondary school girls from across the whole of Western Equatoria State (an area the size of Scotland but less densely populated) and employs 42 staff (teachers, matrons, cooks, grounds maintenance, night guards and other support staff). The school is on a large, 100-acre green campus and provides not only high-quality teaching in the core subjects on the national curriculum, but also a wide range of co-curriculum subjects like drama, debating, sewing, and farming.

Since its opening in 2014, IGBS has become recognised as a tried and tested visible demonstration of the benefits of boarding school education in South Sudan, where most girls drop out from school before the end of primary and very few complete their secondary qualifications.  IGBS is making a substantial impact across South Sudan, by providing good quality “all-through” integrated girls’ schooling, for both primary and secondary girls, from any background and of any faith or none.

IGBS is achieving both tangible and intangible measures of success, including reduced drop out from school; excellent exam results; a safe, stimulating, happy and nurturing culture; empowering young women who can exercise leadership locally and nationally for this new nation (independent since 2011). IGBS is now attracting widespread recognition in South Sudan for lifting standards of teaching and learning, and acting as a beacon of light and hope, whose example can gradually ripple out to other schools across South Sudan. 

The Opportunity

This is a great moment of opportunity for a highly experienced fundraising and communications professional with a strong and demonstrable track record to play a crucial role (alongside a subgroup of trustees and two paid staff) in reviewing and refreshing FIGS’ fundraising strategy for the short, medium and longer term, and in raising FIGS’ profile through strategic communications. This will support FIGS to reach ambitious fundraising targets to allow us to increase the number of girls in the school to full capacity and implement multiple capital projects on the school campus over the next 5 years. The fundraising challenge also includes deepening and expanding FIGS’ donor base, while sustaining and engaging the large network of existing supporters and loyal donors, supported by effective communications and PR. You will lead and direct the fundraising work and will use your skills across a wide range of fundraising functions, including cultivating gifts from wealthy philanthropists, and through wills and bequests. You will also lead on delivering FIGS’ communications strategy, identifying opportunities to raise its profile with target audiences using a variety of relevant communications channels. You will have experience of digital and social media campaigns, and will oversee the development and dissemination of strategic communications materials in support of FIGS’ fundraising and profile-raising objectives. You will ideally have experience working on projects in fragile or developing contexts and an interest in education and gender equity.

There is plenty to enjoy in the varied work, where one can see visible results not only in FIGS’ fundraising targets, but also in the impact it has on the school, its students and staff, parents and communities across Western Equatoria State and across the nation of South Sudan.

Key Responsibilities

• To support the design and delivery of FIGS’ fundraising strategy and action plan, achieving or exceeding targets and KPIs, both financial and non-financial, as agreed with the Chair of FIGS Trustees, Treasurer and Chair of its fundraising sub-group
• To oversee and deliver FIGS’ communications strategy, and raise its profile with existing and new audiences through strategic communications and PR
• To widen the existing network of donors, based on relationship development and management
• To maintain active engagement with existing supporters and donors
• To identify and generate new fundraising opportunities, from the corporate and philanthropic sectors, as well as from other organizations, groups and individuals
• To generate a pipeline of activities across a range of fundraising streams
• To undertake PR and communications work in order to support the fundraising strategy
• To lead the design and distribution of PR and comms materials, including website, regular newsletter, leaflets, social media.
• To line manage FIGS fundraising and comms staff
• To produce progress reports for FIGS Trustees about fundraising in relation to targets and budget and make recommendations for future workstreams
• To attend key fundraising and supporter events to generate significant income, support and profile
• To act as an ambassador for FIGS
• To ensure fundraising and comms activities are in line with FIGS’ values and policies, relevant legislation and the Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice.

The selection process and how to apply 

The post can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis (where part-time is at least 24 hours a week).  Hours can be flexible by arrangement. The person will work mainly from home, liaising online with FIGS and WTI Trustees, staff, and volunteers and with the Board of Governors and Head Teacher of the school in South Sudan.

Some travel to fundraising and communications events in London and elsewhere will be needed. A three-year rolling contract will be offered in the first instance, with annual review and the potential for extension, subject to achievement of agreed performance measures and targets. The salary is in the range of £45-70K (or pro rata) depending on track record and experience. 

To apply please submit your CV and a statement of up to 500 words explaining how you can contribute to FIGS’ fundraising and communications work, including evidence of your fundraising and communications experience, achievements and approach.  Please provide the names and email addresses of two referees who would only be contacted after a job offer.  Please apply by 9 am 29th October 2025 through CharityJob.

First and second round interviews will take place during November. 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from a wide range of identities and backgrounds.