The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is embedded in Clinks. It has a distinct network, identity and website as well as an advisory group, an independent chair and distinct funding for specific work.
The NCJAA aims to ensure that the arts are used within the criminal justice system as a springboard for positive change. The NCJAA represents a network of over 500 individuals and organisations that deliver creative interventions to support people in prison, on probation and in the community, with impressive results. We support this transformative work by providing a network and a voice to promote access to arts and culture for people in the criminal justice system, as a springboard to positive change.
Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.
Job purpose
To develop and grow the NCJAA network and develop and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
Job summary
The coordinator is responsible for overseeing all work and development of the NCJAA and sits within Clinks’ National Influencing & Networks directorate . The coordinator will work with a range of different stakeholders, including the NCJAA Advisory Group and the wider membership, to improve policy and practice in relation to arts-based work with people in prison, on probation and in the community. This includes maintaining and strengthening the NCJAA as the leading national network for arts organisations and individuals that work in the criminal justice system.
Reports to: Clinks Director of National Influencing & Networks
1. Duties and key responsibilities
Strategy and planning
· Work closely with Clinks colleagues and the NCJAA network to develop and deliver the NCJAA annual work plan which include a range of activities that will raise the profile and promote the work of the arts sector in the CJS, including events, publications, training, mentoring, research and networking opportunities
· Work closely with Clinks colleagues, the NCJAA advisory group, chair and wider network to help inform and shape the future direction of the NCJAA and its strategic goals, paying particular attention to its role, sustainability and emerging opportunities
· Coordinate the quarterly arts forum in collaboration with the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) arts seat holder and government representatives
NCJAA project management & delivery
· Provide leadership for the NCJAA in the arts and CJS sectors
· Deliver the projects set out in the NCJAA’s annual workplan
· Coordinate the functioning of the advisory group of the NCJAA, including its quarterly meetings, minutes and election
· Manage work as required by NCJAA’s role as an Arts Council England Sector Support Organisation, including how we effectively capture and measure the NCJAA’s impact as the leading national arts and criminal justice network
· Provide regular and relevant reporting information as necessary to ensure all NCJAA projects and activity are working to the agreed timetable, budget and are achieving agreed outputs and outcomes, reporting any exceptions promptly to the Director of Support and Development
· Work collaboratively with various Clinks’ staff teams to deliver the NCJAA work plan and support the delivery of Clinks’ wider work plan
Stakeholder and external relations
· Work closely with HM Prison and Probation Service and other government departments and agencies to promote communication and partnership between Government and the arts in the criminal justice sector e.g. working with and supported by Clinks’ policy team, participate in meetings of the Reducing Re-offending Arts Forum convened jointly by Clinks and HM Prison and Probation Service
· Work within Clinks’ National Influencing & Networks directorate to ensure the experience and knowledge of arts and cultural organisations working in criminal justice is reflected in Clinks representation and influencing work with national government
· Assist colleagues working in the arts sector to interpret the emerging criminal justice environment and develop sustainable opportunities
· Maintain a wider view of criminal justice and arts policies and guide and support arts organisations to interpret these in a relevant and appropriate manner
· Identify and promote research and evidence in the field of arts and criminal justice
Income generation
· Work with Clinks colleagues responsible for income to identify funding sources, submit funding applications and monitoring reports when required, both for specific NCJAA projects and for the future funding of the work as a whole to ensure the sustainability and future development of the NCJAA
Budget
· Work with Clinks colleagues responsible for finance to maintain financial oversight of the overall NCJAA budget and all relevant project budgets to support the NCJAA work to progress effectively
2. General responsibilities
· Represent and be an ambassador for NCJAA and Clinks
· Work to support the mission, ethos and values of Clinks
· Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
· Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
· Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
Person specification
Experience
· Experience of the arts and social inclusion sector is essential
· Experience of the criminal justice voluntary sector is desirable
· Experience in forming working relationships with opinion formers and key stakeholders to influence policy and practice.
· Experience in leading and monitoring complex projects and measuring impact with national strategic significance, preferably in the arts.
· Experienced in multiple funder and stakeholder management
· Proven track record of developing and delivering successful projects, including the development of project plans and budgets; implementation; evaluation; reporting and monitoring
· Working to deadlines singularly and as a part of a team responsibility
Skills and abilities
· Excellent interpersonal and strong spoken and written communication skills which engage audiences, encouraging understanding and participation
· Ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders with different perspectives, including voluntary sector agencies, arts organisations, government, private sector, service users and media
· The ability to lead, inspire and co-ordinate a complex network of organisations working and supporting arts in criminal justice settings
· Influencing, negotiation and communication skills at a national level
· Facilitate and chair meetings at all levels of the organisations engagement – nationally, regionally, locally
· Highly organised with an ability to maintain effective record keeping systems
· Adopt a problem solving, solution-focused approach and make decisions effectively and timely
· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
· Strategic thinking, planning and project management skills
· IT skills at a level that supports report writing, email, internet and databases
· Adaptability and flexibility in being able to take on new roles and manage a range of different internal and external relationships.
· Budget management and reporting skills
Knowledge
· Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system policy and operating environment in order to promote and support the arts within it.
· Understanding the value of different art forms in criminal justice settings
· Knowledge and experience of national policy, practice and membership organisations relating to arts and/or criminal justice sector
Education and training
· No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area with demonstrable relevance to the role
Personal attributes and other requirements
· Able to travel extensively nationally
· Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary.
· Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
· Personal resilience and the ability to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment
· Demonstrable passion for and commitment to the transformative role of the arts in criminal justice settings
· Demonstrable commitment to anti-racism, anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work
· Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system
· Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination in the CJS
Clinks is the national infrastructure charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About GSG Impact
GSG Impact is a global network of National Partners working to build impact economies that mobilise capital for measurable social and environmental impact. Through its network spanning more than 48 countries, GSG Impact works with governments, investors, regulators, development finance institutions, and ecosystem actors to strengthen the enabling conditions for impact-oriented economies, where capital flows to create positive social and environmental outcomes.
Position Summary
The Head of Fundraising will lead GSG Impact’s fundraising function at a critical stage of organisational growth and income diversification. The role is responsible for delivering GSG Impact's fundraising strategy, supporting the achievement of annual income targets of approximately £3 million per year, converting strategic priorities into fundable propositions, and building the systems, processes, relationships, and team capabilities required to secure sustainable long-term funding.
Working closely with the Chief of Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, senior leadership, fundraising team, Trustees, and National Partners, the Head of Fundraising will oversee the development of a diversified funding portfolio and will be responsible for building and managing a robust fundraising pipeline, strengthening donor stewardship, improving cost recovery, and ensuring fundraising activity is aligned with organisational priorities and financial sustainability goals.
This role requires a proactive fundraiser who can originate opportunities, open senior relationships, develop compelling narratives, lead complex proposal processes, and create a culture of shared fundraising responsibility across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Business development, Prospecting and Pipeline Conversion
Build and maintain a prioritized list of top institutional, philanthropic, bilateral, multilateral, DFI, corporate, and family-office, and high-net-worth prospects aligned with GSG Impact's strategic priorities.
Proactively identify, research, qualify, and cultivate new prospects, with a particular focus on funders aligned with impact economies, domestic capital mobilisation, climate adaptation and resilience, impact transparency, policy reform, investment vehicles, and emerging markets.
Develop and manage a rolling pipeline of high-quality funding opportunities, moving prospects from initial identification through cultivation, concept development, proposal submission, negotiation, and grant close in collaboration with programme staff and National Partners.
Translate GSG Impact’s strategy into compelling fundable propositions, including unrestricted/core support, restricted programme grants, regional funding, National Partner support, and special initiatives.
Personally lead the development and conversion of the highest-value opportunities, especially prospects requiring senior-level cultivation.
Identify and develop new revenue opportunities, strategic partnerships, and funding models that support GSG Impact's long-term sustainability and income diversification
Proposal Development and Grant Acquisition
Lead the development of high-quality funding proposals, concept notes, and donor engagement materials.
Ensure strategic alignment of all proposals with organisational priorities and donor interests.
Ensure all proposal budgets meet or exceed GSG Impact's cost-recovery targets
Set and ensure implementation of standards for proposal quality, narrative framing, and budget methodology across the fundraising team
Donor Management and Stewardship
Support the Chief of Engagement and Partnerships with relationship management of GSG Impact's most significant donors and strategic prospects
Lead the annual stewardship strategy, ensuring renewal and growth of key funding relationships
Oversee narrative and financial reporting, ensuring high quality, consistency, and timeliness
Functional Leadership
Manage the fundraising team, providing coaching, oversight, performance management, and professional development
Ensure compliance with Fundraising Regulator, GDPR, and relevant UK legislation
In collaboration with colleagues across the organisation monitor and update the information in CRM for fundraising contacts and other relevant information.
Implement strong financial tracking, reporting, and forecasting processes
Foster a culture of fundraising responsibility across GSG Impact teams
Innovation & Growth
Identify new funding opportunities and diversify income streams
Explore digital fundraising and emerging trends
Drive continuous improvement in fundraising performance, effectiveness and operational excellence.
External Representation
The Head of Fundraising plays a key role in relationship management with GSG Impact's most significant funders and prospects. They represent the organization at key sector events and convenings as delegated by the Chief of Engagement and Partnerships.
Qualifications
Demonstrable track record of originating new donor relationships and converting them into six- or seven-figure grants.
Experience in building prospect pipelines from a limited starting base.
Strong understanding of institutional philanthropy, bilateral and multilateral funding, DFIs, and/or impact investing funders.
Proven ability to develop fundable propositions from complex, technical, organisational strategies, including on policy, systems-change, market-building, or ecosystem-development initiatives
Experience working directly with CEOs, Boards, Trustees, or senior principals on donor cultivation.
Strong commercial discipline: pipeline management, probability weighting, forecasting, and cost recovery.
Ability to write or lead the development of high-quality proposals under tight timelines.
Competencies
Alignment with GSG Impact mission and values
Proven fundraising track record in international development, impact investment, philanthropy or social sector
Strategic thinking and fundraising planning
Senior donor relationship management
Team leadership and coaching
Strong written communication and proposal development
Budget and cost-recovery literacy
Collaborative working style
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages outlining how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria for this role.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on 22 June 2026.
We are committed to equality and diversity of opportunity and positively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. All applicants will also be asked to complete a short equality and diversity monitoring form, which is held separately from your application and plays no part in shortlisting decisions.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.