About EMMS International
EMMS International is Scotland’s longest-serving international healthcare charity, founded in 1841. From its Scottish base, it works with partners in India, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Scotland and Zambia to improve healthcare for people in some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities.
Its work focuses on four strategic priorities:
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Non-Communicable Disease: Improving access to care and quality of life for people with NCDs and life-limiting conditions.
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Global Healthcare Workforce: Training and empowering healthcare workers, especially women from low-income backgrounds, to address workforce shortages.
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Health Emergency Response: Supporting health systems to prepare for and respond to disasters and crises such as floods, earthquakes and food shortages.
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Sustainable Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare facilities and services, including infrastructure such as solar power, so they can withstand economic and environmental pressures.
EMMS works through local partners, takes a rights-based and inclusive approach, and designs sustainable programmes that respect the environment and promote human rights. Its origins lie in the Christian faith, and it serves people of all faiths and none.
Following an organisational review, EMMS is creating a new Director of Fundraising role, separating fundraising and communications into two Director posts. EMMS is financially stable with healthy reserves, currently raising around £400,000 per year in fundraised income, plus a significant time-limited major donor gift ending in 2028.
The Director of Fundraising will:
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Lead the development of a diverse, sustainable fundraising strategy across multiple income streams (trusts and foundations, major donors, individual giving, community, corporates, legacies).
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Be hands-on in delivering this strategy, supported by an experienced Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy and a Stewardship Manager.
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Manage and grow relationships with donors and stakeholders, meeting ambitious income targets.
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Oversee budgets, forecasting and reporting, and contribute to organisational strategic and business planning.
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Line manage fundraising staff, setting objectives/KPIs and supporting their development.
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Sit on the Executive Leadership Team and play a proactive role in the wider management and development of the charity, including reporting to the CEO and attending some Board meetings.
What they’re looking for:
An experienced senior fundraiser with a strong track record of strategic income growth across multiple channels, excellent relationship-building skills, strong leadership and team management experience, and knowledge of the Scottish charity and fundraising landscape. You should be confident operating strategically and operationally, familiar with fundraising regulation and good practice, and able to communicate effectively with both Christian and secular audiences in line with EMMS’ faith-based heritage and health mission. Degree-level education or equivalent experience is required; membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (or willingness to join) is expected.
Terms and benefits:
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Salary: £63,313 – £70,347 (depending on experience) with annual inflationary rise
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Remote role with monthly meetings in central Edinburgh (more frequently in first three months)
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25–30 days annual leave (depending on length of service) + 10 public holidays
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8% employer pension contribution with salary sacrifice
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Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicle lease
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Flexible working, travel expenses to office, access to Edinburgh office, some international travel
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Life assurance (three times salary) and Aviva Digi-Care app
Application:
Apply by CV and covering letter (each up to 2 pages) by Monday 12 January 2026.
Interviews in Edinburgh: First stage – Thursday 29 January 2026; second stage – Tuesday 3 February 2026.
You must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.
Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.
Key Responsibilities
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Policy and Research Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
- Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
- Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
- Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
- Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
- Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
- Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.
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Internal Collaboration
- Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
- Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
- Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage junior staff or associates as required.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:
- Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
- Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
- Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
- Experience in income generation or bid development.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
- Politically aware and intellectually curious.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and solutions-focused.
- Collaborative and inclusive.
- Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Funding & Communications
Salary: £85, 694
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Contract: 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
Location: Flexible (UK) with regular travel into London at least once per quarter
About Us
Unlimit Health is an international organisation working to end parasitic disease. We work closely with affected countries, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our purpose is to support people to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease.
Our vision is for resilient systems that sustain good health, so everyone everywhere can reach their full potential. We achieve this by working across multiple sectors in numerous countries to deliver effective and robust health programmes that have a lasting impact.
We were founded in 2002 with a £20m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and started life as a research group, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, within Imperial College London. Consistently ranked globally as one of the most cost-effective nonprofit initiatives, we have received significant funding since our inception including from the UK Department of International Development (DFID), USAID and philanthropic investors.
What we do
Our work includes:
- Evidence-based disease elimination support
- Cross-sectoral health systems strengthening
- Building collaborative partnerships
Our main area of focus is the elimination of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (intestinal worms). Endemic infections of these parasitic worms are found in some of the world’s most marginalised communities, and they can have a hugely detrimental effect on individuals, including:
- Reduced productivity
- Internal organ damage
- Impaired child development
- Reduced school attendance
- Increased risk of HIV in women
- Infertility
The Role
The purpose of the Director of Funding and Communication role is to secure sustainable financial resources and build a strong, trusted brand that amplifies the organisation’s mission to share evidence and expertise to end parasitic infections in affected communities.
This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional leader in innovative income generation in the international development sector to lead Unlimit Health’s income generation strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and leading the implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure diversified income streams, while overseeing compelling storytelling and brand visibility to align fundraising efforts and impactful communications with our strategic priorities.
The Person
The Director of Funding and Communications will be a self-starter with energy and integrity, and a compelling leader in the charity or social enterprise sector, with a track record in raising funds to underpin life-changing work on an international scale. They will thrive on the challenge of creating a new, innovative funding strategy to match our ambition and values.
Closing date: 4th January 2026 at 23:59
1st stage Interview dates: 2nd – 3rd February 2026
2nd stage interview dates: 5th – 6th February 2026
Please ensure you are available to attend an interview on these dates.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Applicants are required to have the right to work in the UK, and documentary evidence will be requested at the interview stage.
Diversity Statement
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups to better reflect our mission and work to improve health equity. Research has shown that women and people from marginalised groups are less likely to apply for a role if they do not meet 100% of the job criteria. Please consider applying even if you do not fully meet our essential criteria. We are happy to schedule an informal chat to discuss the role further prior to submitting an application.
Unlimit Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic background. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member is valued, respected, and has equal opportunities to thrive.
No agencies please.