Programme development and funding officer jobs in Belfast
ABOUT REEF-WORLD
The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity that delivers practical solutions for marine conservation globally. They are a small but highly effective team of passionate individuals dedicated to achieving lasting conservation impacts where they are most needed. Starting in Thailand in 1999, we now operate globally, supporting governments, businesses, and communities to sustainably develop their coastal resources.
Today our team is committed to our mission to inspire and empower people to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources, particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems. We are driven by our vision of a future where coral reefs are healthy and thriving.
In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Reef-World works to stop the environmental impact of the global marine tourism industry through the internationally recognised Green Fins initiative. The work focuses on buying more time for coral reefs to thrive by mobilising collective and urgent action through the marine tourism industry.
Our work involves supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coral reefs and other coastal resources.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Fundraising and Communications Manager will play a pivotal role in driving Reef-World’s mission to protect and sustainably manage coral reefs and coastal ecosystems worldwide. This hands-on, senior position combines leadership of the charity’s fundraising and communications function with strategic oversight, ensuring that Reef-World maximises its global reach, secures sustainable income, and delivers compelling, mission-aligned messaging across all channels. This position reports directly to the Directors.
You will lead the development and delivery of income generation strategies while overseeing multi-channel communications, digital engagement, media relations, and brand stewardship. You will manage a small, dynamic team of staff, consultants, and volunteers, coordinating resources to support programme delivery and ensuring high-quality outputs that enhance both conservation impact and fundraising success.
You will join a remote, globally distributed, and diverse team, collaborating across multiple countries and cultures to advance Reef-World’s mission. You will be given autonomy to lead the fundraising activities of the organisation and will be encouraged to try new things and take ownership of the fundraising portfolio as a whole. This is an exciting opportunity for a driven, proactive, versatile professional to shape the charity’s growth, profile, and influence in marine conservation on an international scale.
Our Fundraising Landscape
We have had steady year-on-year growth in income since we were founded, with a shortfall recorded last year. The shortfall in income for the last financial year is down to our main donor, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) not being able to provide funds due to the global economic and political climate. This grant source is naturally very unpredictable in nature, however, we had previously successfully secured a year-on-year budget from UNEP since 2009. You can see our financial history on our Charity Commission listing. Our financial year runs from June to May. For June 2024 to May 2025, our fundraising target is £425,000. We have secured £240,000 of this, and around a further £60,000 is unconfirmed but likely. However, we have previously successfully secured a year-on-year budget from UNEP since 2009.
So far in the current financial year, 65% of our income is grant income, corporate sector and commercial partnerships make up 17%, individual giving is 7%, and 11% of income comes from programme’s products and services.
This role is replacing a Development Manager who joined in March 2024 and created this as a new role. Through her leadership and guidance we have strong foundations across all fundraising streams to build on. We would like the post holder to maintain our excellent track record for grant funding while further establishing and growing new sources of income, especially unrestricted income. We’re open to exploring most kinds of income generation but are particularly interested in exploring corporate fundraising and major donor opportunities and have good foundations upon which to build here.
Our Board of Trustees have a good understanding of the current fundraising landscape and the importance of investing in fundraising.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
-
Lead the development and delivery of Reef-World’s Fundraising and Communications Strategy.
-
Provide strategic direction to a small team of staff, consultants, and volunteers.
-
Set and monitor targets across fundraising, communications, and digital engagement, reporting progress to senior leadership and the Board.
Fundraising & Income Generation
-
Develop and deliver a diverse income strategy with a specific focus on corporate partnerships, major donors, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and philanthropy.
-
Support trusts and foundations fundraising in collaboration with the Directors and Programmes team.
-
Oversee and maintain steady growth of the individual giving income stream.
-
Ensure fundraising compliance, data protection, and effective risk management.
-
Maintain accurate records in the CRM system.
Communications
-
Oversee planning and production of content across websites, social media, digital channels, media, and publications.
-
Act as a senior point of contact for outreach partners (press, media, and content contributors), ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment.
-
Maintain Reef-World’s brand and ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging.
-
Approve and guide design of key outputs, including annual Impact Report, newsletters, fundraising packs, and campaign assets.
-
Lead high-level media relations and manage external agencies and consultants.
-
Ensure digital platforms and campaigns effectively support fundraising and programme goals.
-
Coordinate communications support for the Programmes team, ensuring timely delivery of materials that enhance programme impact and engagement.
People Management
-
Provide supportive leadership to the Fundraising & Communications Officer and wider team.
-
Manage one permanent Social Media consultant and two project based communications and design consultants.
-
Contribute to recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and workforce planning.
-
Foster a positive, collaborative team culture aligned with Reef-World’s Culture of Care.
General
-
Promote organisational values, effective communication, and healthy working practices across the remote team.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a dynamic, hands-on Fundraising and Communications Manager to join our remote, globally distributed, and diverse team. The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking with practical expertise in fundraising and multi-channel communications, able to work relatively independently to build strong relationships, inspire colleagues, and deliver high-impact outputs. You will help Reef-World grow its reach, secure sustainable income, and amplify our mission to protect coral reefs and coastal ecosystems worldwide. You’ll be open to new experiences and adventures and be adaptable and flexible.
The following outlines the essential and desirable skills and experience for this role.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
-
Proven success in managing fundraising across multiple income streams to deliver income growth with specific experience developing major donor or corporate partnership programmes.
-
Strong communications skills, with experience delivering multi-channel content (web, social, newsletters) and maintaining brand consistency.
-
Ability to build and steward positive relationships with donors, partners, media, and stakeholders.
-
Experience coordinating or line-managing staff, consultants, volunteers.
-
Excellent strategic, organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and track performance.
-
Experience in monitoring and managing income and expenditure.
-
Experience of developing and managing fundraising targets
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
-
Understanding of fundraising regulations, GDPR, and ethical best practice.
-
Experience using CRM systems for donor/supporter management.
-
Understanding of the needs of a small charity and willingness to carry out both more basic administrative work and more high-level strategic tasks
-
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a remote, international team.
Desirable
-
Success in securing multi-year grants, multi year corporate partnerships or developing new income streams.
-
Experience working with media, PR, or digital analytics.
-
Familiarity with marine conservation, environmental NGOs, or responsible tourism sectors.
-
Experience managing external agencies or creative freelancers.
-
Knowledge of design or content tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite).
-
knowledge of Google Workspace tools.
-
Experience of working in remote teams.
Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone, from anywhere, with the required skills and experience: whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector.
BENEFITS
Holiday entitlement
30 days a year.
Flexible working
The Directors are based just outside Bristol, UK and we have a field office in Dauin, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. As an international team working across time zones, our working policy is flexible and hybrid.
Pension
For all employees, we pay a minimum of 3% of your qualifying earnings per month (over £6,240). For UK employees, you’ll pay a minimum of 5% of your qualifying earnings per month.
Culture of Care
As an organisation, we are invested in the personal and professional long-term success of our Reef-World team. Reef-World’s vision for a Culture of Care embodies a collection of support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the well-being of our team and enabling each of us to properly care for ourselves, our teammates and our network. These include -
-
Access to a team coach
-
Access to personality type tool analysis for yourself and your team
-
Reflection days - dedicated time to reflect on your successes and takeaways
-
Personal Development days, with a small budget to ease you in (think training, new books, new classes, experiences)
-
Dedicated, and respected, focus time throughout your working week
-
Exemplary and effective internal communication mechanisms
-
We are a parent and family friendly organisation, our Directors work flexibly around their children.
-
Reef-World is a safe space for everyone. We especially want to make sure we are a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, neurodivergent and disabled individuals, and racialised communities. We’re constantly learning to make sure everyone feels welcome here.
Staff
A small, friendly and ambitious team. Read more about our staff team and Trustee board.
“The Reef-World Foundation is a phenomenal place to work where everyone's contribution is valued and our team is able to punch well above our weight in terms of conservation impact. It has been an absolute pleasure to contribute to Reef-World's output for the last 3.5 years.” - James Greenhalgh, former member of staff and now Trustee
“Working at The Reef-World Foundation is an inspiring journey. Beyond professional growth, being part of a team actively engaging in marine conservation and witnessing efforts to protect our oceans make each day at Reef-World rewarding. It's a privilege to contribute to an organisation making a real difference in preserving our planet's marine ecosystems. The inclusive team and culture of care create a dream work environment!” - Joyce Yang, former member of staff
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be part of the Reef-World Foundation, my time here has been a catalyst for both my professional and personal growth. Collaborating with passionate individuals sharing the common goal of protecting our marine ecosystems, particularly the coral reefs, has been an extraordinary journey. Moreover, the organisation's culture of genuine care surpasses expectations, something for which I am very grateful. In all honesty, working with Reef-World has been the highlight of my career, and I've never been happier professionally.” - Erin Canto, current member of staff
“It's inspiring and motivating to work with everyone in the team who truly believes in our work — working together towards the organisation's mission to have a global conservation impact. Reef-World has given me the opportunity to grow professionally and personally in the field of marine conservation, and I am truly grateful for that. I am very honoured to be part of this inspiring team that walks the talk!” - Teresa Moh, former member of staff
Reef-World’s Core Values
-
We empower our colleagues, our stakeholders, our partners and our supporters to have conservation impact.
-
We collaborate. Our approach is not competitive - the more we collaborate, the stronger the conservation impact we will have.
-
We are innovative. We are not afraid to break from the norm, and use innovative approaches and technology, for conservation impact.
-
We stay optimistic in our decision making and in our approach to tackling global conservation issues.
Reef-World’s Commitment to EDI
Reef-World has incorporated an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) framework into its recruitment processes, resulting in more than 50% of leadership positions within the organisation being held by female professionals. Additionally, we take pride in operating as a fully remote team, engaging in asynchronous collaboration across various time zones.
HOW TO APPLY
Please fill out the short application form on our website including uploading your CV and Cover Letter. (Note files should be in PDF format, max. size 20MB)
TIP: In your cover letter, don't just repeat the information in your CV. We want to hear who you are, how your experience aligns with the job requirements, and how your values and culture might align with ours.
If you are selected for an interview we will reach out to you by email to set an interview date and time. We try wherever possible to get back to applicants that have not been accepted but due to the expected volume of applications we may not have the resources. If you do not hear from us by 1 February 2026, then unfortunately we have decided not to take your application further.
Applications close: 19 January 2026 (23.59 pm UTC)
Interviews (online): Between 2 and 12 February 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Salary: £60,000 per annum
Location: Home-based with regular travel
Closing date: Wednesday 28 January 2026
Interview date: 4 & 5 February 2026
Blue Cross is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Philanthropy to lead and make an active contribution to our High Value Fundraising project, a key initiative designed to grow our future income. This 12-month fixed-term role will focus on delivering high-impact fundraising activity while managing and inspiring a talented Philanthropy team.
More about the role
You will support in the delivery of the 2026 Philanthropy plan across trusts, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals, with a particular focus on the High Value Fundraising project. Leading high-value fundraising activity, you will manage your own portfolio, create income pipelines, develop key performance indicators, and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to maximise philanthropic support. You will ensure the charity’s Case for Support remains current and compelling and deliver high-standard donor reporting.
This is a home-based role with a contracted base site. Travel to your base site is considered normal commuting, while travel to other Blue Cross locations or partner sites will be reimbursed.
About you
You are a credible senior leader with a strong track record in philanthropy fundraising, capable of translating strategic priorities into tangible outcomes. Motivated by ambitious goals, you thrive on building relationships, inspiring teams, and influencing at the highest level. You are resilient, creative, and aligned with Blue Cross’s values of compassion, courage, and inclusion.
Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Extensive experience developing strategies that increase income from major donors and institutional funders, including personally securing five- and ideally six-figure donations
- Proven experience of meeting and exceeding ambitious income growth targets
- Experience of building and managing funder relationships
- Strong financial monitoring, target setting, and reporting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to analyse and present data tailored for different audiences
- Highly developed influencing and negotiation skills
- Track record of leading, managing, and inspiring a team, encouraging innovation and improving ways of working
- Experience working at senior organisational levels and managing relationships with Directors, CEOs, and Boards
- The ability to demonstrate, understand, and apply Blue Cross’s values
Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
- Experience of fundraising for significant capital projects
- Knowledge of CRM systems and data management
How to apply
Click Apply to submit your application. Please note that applications may close early if we receive a high volume, so we encourage early submission.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Adolescent Health Study
The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.
Location: Remote working. Must be willing and able to travel to London, Edinburgh and elsewhere across the UK to support business need
Reporting to: AHS Chief Information and Technology Officer (to be appointed Spring 2026)
Hours of Work: FTE 37.5 hours per week
Purpose of the post
The Strategic Data Lead will play a critical role in managing the study’s data pipeline, devising and implementing strategies for the collection, management, storage, documentation and curation of complex participant data, and sharing data with research users. In particular, there will be a need for innovative, remote data collection methods that are acceptable to children and young people taking part in the study. The role holder will provide specialist advice, direction and input to the wider scientific team to maximise the potential of the study data and future proof the resource. They will drive forward innovative solutions which enable the long-term strategic vision for data management in the study.
Main responsibilities
Strategy
- Provide expert input into the design and delivery of the study before data collection begins, maximising data quality and efficient management from the start.
- Devise and implement a data management strategy, including appropriate data architecture, meta-data and data pipeline(s), to support the study’s aims and meet the needs of the research community.
- Consider the long-term strategy for data preservation and discoverability, to futureproof the resource and ensure maximal use.
Technology and innovation
- Identify and oversee the delivery of novel solutions for collection and management of complex health data, including transfer of data from specialist equipment and mobile technology, such as wearables or app-based data.
- Lead procurement activities, where required, to support the data management strategy, translating the needs of users into appropriate specifications and working with third parties to oversee delivery of solutions.
Risk management and compliance
- Oversee the development, management and continual improvement of all procedures used to process, manage and store data, ensuring that they are kept up to date and comply with relevant legislation and local guidelines.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build relationships with other longitudinal population studies (LPS) in order to seek advice where appropriate and ensure sharing of best practise within the LPS community.
- Work closely with researchers, data scientists and national bodies, such as Population Research UK and the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration, to support study objectives.
- Consult and co-operate with colleagues and stakeholders, including children and young people, to support the use of the study’s data for collaborative research purposes, identifying opportunities to maximise the potential of the data.
- Offer creative solutions to issues that arise, consulting with and influencing stakeholders with differing expectations, ensuring the impact of any change is communicated and understood by those involved.
Essential criteria:
- Proven track record of managing large and complex data sets within an academic, research or similar environment, including different types of data from multiple sources, including those with complex ethical and governance requirements.
- Thorough understanding of legislation regarding data management, confidentiality and security.
- Understanding of research governance.
- Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing a data management strategy.
- Experience of implementing current and developing technologies used for collecting, storing and accessing research data.
- Excellent organisational skills with the proven ability to manage multiple competing projects simultaneously to achieve deadlines.
- Educated to degree level in Computer Science or related discipline or equivalent experience.
- Proven innovation and pro-active problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to influence and negotiate with different levels of staff and external contacts.
- Excellent communication with both internal and external stakeholders including the ability to communicate technically complex ideas at an appropriate level.
Desirable criteria:
- Proven skills in programming using various languages and technologies including understanding of data manipulation and statistical packages used to manage, manipulate and analyse data e.g. SQL, Python, R.
- Proven ability to effectively lead, direct and manage a team of technical staff.
- Experience of working with a longitudinal research study, or equivalent, at a senior level.
- Excellent presentation skills, with experience of presenting to diverse audiences.
Working Environment
- Full time role with flexible working arrangements.
- AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
- Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK. Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations.
- As a small charity, we offer a range of benefits, including enhanced sickness and family-friendly pay, additional annual leave, the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days’ holiday each leave year, a 10% employer pension contribution, and one paid volunteering day per year.
Application Process
This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply online with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.
The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 25 January 2026.
Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 23 February or 02 March 2026.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.
Values
It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership and delivery teams. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have what it takes to be part of the Walking With The Wounded team? We have a fantastic opportunity for a Financial Controller with experience of running the day-to-day financial operations of a dynamic charity. We are an ambitious charity with ambitious goals that needs a Financial Controller to support the charity in achieving these goals. If your attitude matches this, you will find a perfect home within our Finance team.
This is a broad role that will include a wide range of responsibilities. The Financial Controller is responsible for managing the daily and weekly tasks of the Finance team, as well as periodic tasks that are less frequent. These tasks include (but are not restricted to) all aspects of bank and cash, raising of invoices, generating BACS payments, all Finance input into payroll, VAT returns, Gift Aid claims and response to ad hoc queries from our front-line staff. The Financial Controller managers one Finance Assistant and reports into the Head of Finance. The Head of Finance leads on budget setting, forecasting and monthly / quarterly / annual reporting, and the Financial Controller will support where needed. The Financial Controller will also be the lead contact with external auditors following year end.
The tasks outlined here and in the job description will not remain static and can be tailored to the experience of the successful applicant, therefore this role is ideal for someone who is looking for a challenge and to develop their skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.
For an informal discussion please contact Marc Brady, Head of Finance.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Walking With The Wounded deliver employment, mental health & care coordination programmes to veterans & their families in collaboration with the NHS.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.