Patient advocacy and policy officer jobs in belfast
Job title: Senior Supporter Engagement Officer
Responsible to: Fundraising Operations Manager
Salary: £30,900 FTE pro rata (£20,085 actual)
Hours of work: Part time (0.65FTE/22.75 hours per week). Exact days/times to be agreed upon appointment. We consider flexible working requests
Annual leave: 30 days with 8 additional Bank Holidays pro rata
Location: Remote - location is flexible with option to be home based anywhere in the UK. Hybrid/office based also available (head office is in Bristol)
Closing date: 15th September - midday
About Action for ME
Action for ME is the only charity in the UK providing support, including healthcare, to people of all ages affected by ME. The charity was founded by Sue Finlay in 1987 and since then has been taking holistic approach so we can make an impact on multiple fronts - from amplifying the voices of people affected by ME in Government and leading on breakthrough research, to providing "lifeline" support and unique healthcare services on a daily basis.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), sometimes referred to and diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a chronic, fluctuating disease, causing symptoms such as post-exertional malaise (PEM), sleep problems, problems with thinking and memory (brain fog), pain and crushing fatigue. There are an estimated 1.3 million people living with ME or ME-like symptoms, including PEM, in the UK alone.
Even in its so-called mildest form, ME can have a significant impact on an individual’s life, and not just on their health. A lack of understanding and awareness about ME means patients can experience disbelief, and even discrimination, from friends, family, health and social care professionals, employers and teachers.
For the first time there is an increased awareness of post viral illness because of the Covid -19 pandemic. After decades of neglect this offers Action for ME an opportunity to accelerate our work for people with ME in a way we have never been able to do before. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.
Job purpose
This role will deliver an exceptional supporter experience to our donors, building and maintaining strong relationships with our supporters. Working closely with other members of the fundraising and communications teams, you will deliver our supporter journey, maintain regular communication with donors and be an integral part of our fundraising campaigns and appeals.
Key duties
- Work with the Fundraising Operations Manager to deliver our supporter journey, engaging current and prospective donors with our work and giving them an excellent experience of supporting Action for ME.
- Be responsible for creating the methods that ensure each supporter relationship is maximised, increasing retention rates for a growing supporter base. As such you will be required to engage with supporters so that they feel valued, and relationships can be developed further for the benefit of the charity.
- Lead on thanking donors, including making phone calls to donors as part of stewardship.
- Work closely with the Fundraising Operations Manager and the team to support the growth of income streams, including but not limited to, individual giving, Gift Aid, legacies, trading, community fundraising and membership.
- Work with the communications team on the delivery of digital communications, including social media and e-communications for a diverse range of audiences.
- Play a key role in fundraising appeals and campaigns including our yearly Big Give Christmas Challenge, Summer Appeal, Thanking Campaign and any other fundraising initiative or project as directed by the Fundraising Operations Manager or Director of Fundraising.
- Ensure excellent supporter care and maintenance of accurate database records.
- Create inspiring donor communications, including stories and impact from our wider work (support & healthcare services, research and policy work)
- Work closely with the Philanthropy Manager to identify potential major donors.
- Develop innovative and creative ways of widening our supporter base and increasing donations.
Other duties
- To attend and contribute constructively to team meetings and other meetings as required.
- Supervise fundraising volunteers as required.
- Occasional attendance at fundraising events.
- To positively promote the work and activities of Action for ME at all times.
- To contribute to the team’s overall strategy, ongoing workplan and annual planning.
- To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Fundraising Operations Manager, Director of Fundraising or the Chief Executive.
- Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
Person specification
Experience and knowledge
- Minimum 2 years previous fundraising experience
- Demonstrable skills in stewarding supporters and donors.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel for work, including basic excel functions, basic formulas and list tools.
- Experience of using a CRM database, preferably Raiser’s Edge
- Proven experience of effective donor stewardship approaches
Skills and Behaviours
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including creating engaging donor communications
- Ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload.
- Ability to use own initiative, work independently and to work well in a remote team.
- An understanding of data protection including UK GDPR related to fundraising
- An understanding of ME, the impact on people affected by it and associated current political, health, policy and social issues (desirable).
Attitudes and values
- Enthusiasm
- Integrity
- Resilient
Key competencies
- Effective communicator
- Results driven
- Attention to detail
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025.
Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.
Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising.
This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
Key duties
Major Donor Fundraising
• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+
• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships
• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.
• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development. Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.
• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.
• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.
• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.
• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.
• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.
• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.
• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.
• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.
• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.
• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity
• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events
Other duties
• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.
• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.
• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.
• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.
• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.