Refugee support jobs in europe

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions.

IRC UK

IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

Job Overview/Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for an Associate Director for foundation partnerships across Europe based in the UK. Embedded in the Global Foundation & Trusts (F&T) team within the External Relations department responsible for the organization’s communication, fundraising and advocacy work, this position plays a key role in enabling the growth of the IRC’s F&T income and profile in the UK and across Europe. Using an ROI focused, transnational approach, the role aims to establish a robust pipeline of European foundations most relevant to the IRC and build sustainable, multi-year F&T partnerships with top European foundations.

Key Accountabilities

· Develop and implement cultivation strategies for foundation partnerships across Europe that contribute to IRC’s F&T’s revenue target and align with the wider IRC External Relations strategy;

• Lead on existing partnerships, including direct strategic planning with donors, and proposal and report submissions, as well as collaboration with internal partners for effective grants management;
• Proactively contact foundation prospects, establish initial relationships as well as re-actively responds to incoming requests;
• Personally solicit and secure 6 to 7+ figure income from European foundations, with the aim of establishing long-term relationships;
• Collaborate with relevant teams and support functions at IRC’s US-based HQ and IRC entities in Europe to ensure best-in-class new business outreach and account management;
• Synthesize the IRC’s programs into clear, compelling presentations, proposals, and reports for private sector audiences, positioning IRC as the go-to partner in the humanitarian sector;
• Remain up to date with the latest trends in the European foundation landscape, ensuring that the IRC’s partnership proposition remains compelling and competitive;
• Represent IRC’s F&T team effectively in related fora;
• Ensure open and relevant communication is maintained between the IRC and our foundation partners;
• Maintain clear CRM records for the portfolio that contribute to comprehensive tracking/reporting on IPP’s client universe; and
• Collaborate across other External Relations teams on initiatives that span departments to include but not be limited to our joint dedication to a diverse, positive and inclusive work environment.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Director, Global Foundation Partnerships (Europe-based)

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

Work Experience:

· **Strong experience with non-profit high-value fundraising experience with Corporates, Foundations or HNWI, ideally within a large or medium-sized charity.

· **A proven track record of managing and developing high-level foundation partnerships to mutual benefit and securing new multi-year partnerships at a 6 to 7+ figure income level.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• **Experience of working to, and meeting, ambitious revenue goals and performance indicators, as well as participating in financial projections, reporting, and scenario planning;
• Ability to translate an organization’s strategy and objectives into operational delivery and, at times, respond quickly to changes in short-term priorities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to produce high-quality pitches, proposals and reports;
• Proven knowledge of private sector philanthropy processes, and the particular issues affecting the foundation sector in Europe;
• Understanding of the internal support processes required to deliver effective institutional funder relationships;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive, collaborative, productive relationships with staff at all levels and geographies, including with senior leaders;

· Strong intercultural communication skills; proven ability to work effectively with people from other cultural backgrounds;

• Proficient networker with the ability to represent the organization externally at a senior level and to convey complex ideas in a clear, compelling manner;
• Good judgment in maintaining confidentiality of donor information;
• Driven, motivated and proactive with a solutions-based attitude and resilient in the face of setbacks;
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to devise creative solutions to sophisticated problems and issues;
• Excellent organizational skills, especially the ability to manage a complex, varied and substantial workload;
• Passion for the IRC’s mission and dedication to private sector partnerships; and
• Dedication to fundraising for international development, human rights, social justice and global refugee and migrant communities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency in English required. Excellent knowledge of the following languages would be decisive asset: Dutch, French and/or Swedish.
• CRM experience – Salesforce preferred.

Position: Campaign Manager: Climate and Ocean

Based: London or Bath, with hybrid working (minimum three days per week office-based)

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary range: £50,000–£60,000 per annum, depending on experience and location

About EJF:

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) exists to protect the natural world and defend our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We believe in equity and justice and the urgent need to respect, defend and empower communities most at risk from climate breakdown, biodiversity collapse, and environmental injustice.

EJF campaigns internationally, presenting field-based evidence and strategic advocacy to shape policies, drive system reforms, and secure lasting environmental protections. Our campaigns focus on four interlinked areas: ocean, climate, forests and wetlands, and the protection of environmental defenders.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced person to join one of the world’s leading organisations working at the intersection of environmental conservation and human rights.

Position Overview:

EJF is seeking a dynamic, experienced Campaign Manager to coordinate and drive our emerging climate and ocean campaigns. This senior role will help deliver EJF’s ambitious goals to drive global action to avoid climate breakdown and safeguard ocean ecosystems.

From defending climate refugees to stopping deep-sea mining, you will work on a diverse range of issues. You will possess the strategic foresight, political acumen, and advocacy skills to secure high- impact outcomes across jurisdictions.

Reporting to the CEO and working alongside our global teams in 16 countries, you will lead cross-cutting campaign initiatives, oversee implementation, and support on-the-ground teams to amplify their reach and influence.

This is a role for an experienced, action-oriented campaigner who is deeply committed to environmental justice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the execution of EJF’s emerging climate and ocean campaign areas, aligning national and global advocacy.
• Lead campaign initiatives on issues including climate refugees, fossil fuel divestment, mitigation, protection of blue carbon, stopping deep-sea mining and industrial fishing bans in marine protected areas.
• Monitor relevant policy developments, identify key opportunities, and represent EJF in strategic spaces, including multilateral forums, legislative meetings and media.
• Collaborate with international offices to strengthen campaign coordination, knowledge- sharing and cohesive messaging across regions.
• Work with EJF’s investigations, research, and communications teams to produce and deploy impactful policy briefings, reports and other campaign materials.
• Engage with partners, funders and other allies to build coalitions and support for campaign goals.
• Contribute to internal capacity building and mentor junior team members as required.

Essential Skills and Attributes:

• At least 5–7 years of professional experience delivering high-impact environmental or human rights campaigns with demonstrated strategic impact.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, including experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Excellent political judgement and policy advocacy skills; confident engaging with government, civil society and private sector audiences.
• First-class writing and presentation abilities, with an ability to translate complex issues into persuasive communications.
• Experience working internationally to deliver campaign impacts.
• Proven commitment to environmental justice, human rights, and systemic change.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and results-driven, with the ability to work under pressure and across time zones.
• Convincing interpersonal and team collaboration skills in multicultural environments.
• A strong and demonstrable commitment to EJF Mission, Values and Vision.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in climate, ocean or other relevant campaign areas.
• Fluency in a relevant second language.
• Experience working in or with partners from the Global South.

Benefits:

• Generous annual leave that increases with service.
• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Private healthcare package.
• Employer pension contributions that grow with length of service.
• Office locations in Bath and London with excellent facilities.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Strong professional development and career progression opportunities within a fast-paced, global NGO.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please send your CV and a 1-page cover letter to the email address provided. Please let us know where you saw the role advertised in your application.

Closing date for applications: 8 December 2025

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Diversity Statement:

EJF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in the environmental sector to apply. If you feel you would be a good fit for this role but are unsure if you meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Connect: North Korea is a fast-growing charity supporting North Korean escapees to build new lives after experiences of systemic discrimination, poverty, and trauma.

Our organisational income has grown consistently year on year since we registered in 2018. We now have a series of multi-year grants in place ensuring that 42% of our income for 2026 is already secured. We are looking to recruit a dynamic Head of Fundraising to lead and deliver income generation as we scale our work in the UK and globally.

This is a rare opportunity to work closely with the CEO and across programme teams to map out our annual fundraising plan, craft compelling cases for support, develop funder relationships, with an aim to securing our funding base year on year. 

Position: Head of Fundraising

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Based at: Our offices in New Malden KT3 with some remote/home working. We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate the right candidate.

Contract: Permanent. Full-time or Part-time considered. Flexible hours/days possible.

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 FTE + 5% eligible pension.

Benefits: 28 days holidays exclusive of public holidays pro-rata. We also offer 2 additional days on top of this – 1 recharge day where the whole charity closes and 1 day in the week of a staff member’s birthday.

Role objective

Lead our efforts to grow and diversify CNK’s income across individual giving, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising. Diversity our income base by increasing our unrestricted income, ensure organisational sustainability by securing multi-year grants and growing individual and corporate donations and grow our annual income by identifying and building relationships with new donor

About you:

Are you passionate about helping others, interested in working with the North Korean community and excited about using your expertise in fundraising to increase our impact? We are looking for a very special candidate to join our small team: a person who knows what success looks like and the steps that need to be taken to get there. A person who rolls up their sleeves and gets stuck in, but most of all, a person who can build relationships - with our team members, our community, our donors and drive through positive change for the benefit of all.

General duties and responsibilities will be:

Work closely with Chief Executive to:

• Develop our annual organisational fundraising strategy and fundraising action plan;
• Draft fundraising targets and KPIs based on current income levels and our delivery plans for 2026;
• Lead and coordinate all CNK fundraising activity from Trusts and Foundations, corporates and individual supporters;
• Build relationships with major donors, corporates, charitable Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders;
• Ensure all fundraising meets the Code of Fundraising Practice, safeguarding standards, GDPR compliant and CNK’s values; and
• Report quarterly on fundraising progress to Chief Executive and Board of Trustees

To apply:

Please send CVs and cover letters addressed to Michael Glendinning. Applications are rolling until we find the right candidate.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in the UK. 

Job Overview
The External Relations (ER) department is comprised of three main but complementary functional areas: Private fundraising, Communications, and Advocacy. The main objective of the department is to enable the organisation to have the resources needed to continue serving  millions of people worldwide in places affected by war and disaster.

The Director of UK Philanthropy will provide leadership and strategic direction for individual high net worth fundraising activities focused on the UK market, ensuring the delivery of significant, multi-year resources for the IRC's global mission. The Director will also serve as the primary high-value fundraising partner to the UK Executive Director as they facilitate cross-team collaboration, accountability, and success among all private fundraising teams in the UK (Philanthropy, Global Corporate Partnerships, Foundations & Trusts, and Mass Markets). The Director will play a leadership role in IRC UK more widely as a member of the UK Senior Management Team (UKSMT). The UKSMT is collectively responsible for achieving the cross-functional goals of IRC UK’s strategy and actively fostering an inclusive workplace at IRC UK.

This role will be responsible for:
•  Leading a team of fundraising professionals focused on raising unrestricted and restricted contributions from High-Net-Worth Individuals.
•  Managing a personal portfolio of significant donors and partners focused on securing six and seven-figure commitments.
•  Facilitating cross-functional collaboration, ensuring strong coordination and accountability across all UK-based high-value fundraising teams as well as with other team leaders in the UK (e.g. Communications, Advocacy, and Programmes).
•  Serve as the high-value fundraising representative on the UK Senior Management Team, directing and progressing strategic goals in fundraising as well as advising on the wider management of IRC UK. 
•  Serving as the primary fundraising/partnerships contact for the IRC's UK Board, leveraging their networks and influence to advance the team's revenue targets.
•  Directly driving the UK Executive Director's engagement in fundraising and external partnership activities.
•  Interfacing closely with US-based and other international colleagues in External Relations to ensure global strategic alignment.

The Director will craft and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies for the UK market, mentor and guide the team to optimise the size and impact of gifts and ensure donor-centric fundraising practices are consistently deployed. This critical role involves developing and implementing strategies informed by bold revenue targets. 

Major Responsibilities

Fundraising and Partnerships
•  Manage a focused, complex portfolio of individual high-value prospects and supporters that results in increasing gifts at the six and seven-figure level.
•  Design and execute customised fundraising and partnership strategies for their personal portfolio, to maximise size and impact of gifts to the IRC.
•  Travel and meet with donors and prospects across the UK and occasionally internationally as required.
•  Achieve personal and team-wide goals and metrics related to visits, solicitations, gifts/pledges closed, and other critical key performance indicators.
•  Serve as the primary staff liaison and resource for the IRC's UK Board on all matters relating to philanthropy and partnerships, ensuring their engagement is maximised for fundraising impact.

Leadership and Management
•  Lead and directly supervise a team of approximately 3 individuals across the UK-based Philanthropy team, inspiring, motivating and challenging them through active mentorship and fostering an environment that supports new ideas and innovative approaches to donor relationship management.
•  Provide comprehensive thought leadership for the team's efforts towards increased financial revenue and other modes of private sector engagement that support the impactful delivery of the IRC's mission.
•  Partner with the Senior Director of International Philanthropy to develop a strategic plan, including setting annual goals and key outcomes for the team. This will include but is not limited to collaborating with the UK Board and Senior IRC leadership in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors through strategic engagement opportunities such as meetings and events.
•  Provide strategic oversight and manage collaboration between the UK-based leads of the Foundations and Trusts, Global Corporate Partnerships, and Mass Markets teams, ensuring strong coordination in executing comprehensive donor engagement strategies across the UK market. 
•  Collaborate as a peer with other UK leaders on the UK Senior Management Team, holding collective accountability for achieving the goals of the UK strategy and advising on the wider management of IRC UK to support those goals. 

Executive and Global Collaboration
•  Proactively drive the UK Executive Director's fundraising activities, including identifying and vetting high-level engagement opportunities, preparing briefing materials, and ensuring excellent donor/partner stewardship.
•  Interface and collaborate superbly with US-based colleagues in External Relations to ensure consistent messaging, coordinated prospect management, and alignment with global fundraising priorities.
•  Facilitate the deployment of IRC leaders (including the UK ED and global Executive Board and programme leadership) throughout the donor life cycle to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward five, six, and seven-figure commitments.

Candidate Requirements

•  Significant demonstrable years progressive experience or proven background of non-profit fundraising experience and expertise in high-net-worth individual fundraising, and/or foundation/trust/corporate partnership development.
•  Demonstrated history of being an empowering and supportive manager to front-line fundraisers.
•  Outstanding communication skills, including writing, listening, verbal presentation, and speaking.

Preferred Experience & Skills
•  Consistent track record of securing 6 and 7+ figure gifts/partnerships from a complex portfolio of diverse donors and prospects, including qualifying prospects and upgrading donors.
•  Proven organisational leadership experience, for example on senior management teams. 
•  Experience in international organisational collaboration, including interfacing effectively with leadership and colleagues based in other countries.
•  Proven experience leading and directly supervising front-line fundraisers.
•  Experience in leveraging and managing a Board or high-level volunteer leadership for fundraising success.
•  Ability to develop creative and multifaceted donor strategy often carried out in partnership with programme staff or senior leadership.
•  Ability to navigate CRM systems.
•  Dedication to fundraising for international development, humanitarian, human rights, gender and racial equality, social justice, and migrant communities

Working Environment
•  IRC UK has a hybrid working policy. 
•  Occasional travel across the UK and internationally as required.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm. 

The Purpose of the Role

The HR Operations Manager has oversight of IRC UK’s onboarding processes, HR data, payroll, and wellbeing initiatives for approximately 200 UK-based staff.

The role exists to:
•  Lead Operational Delivery: Drive the implementation of the UK People & Culture (P&C) workplan, collaborating closely with European and global colleagues.
•  Ensure Excellence in HR Operations: Manage HR systems, processes, and compliance requirements to deliver a positive and seamless employee experience across IRC UK.

Key Working Relationships
•  All IRC UK-based staff and their line managers, both in the UK and globally
•  IRC global People & Culture colleagues
•  External suppliers, including pension providers, outsourced payroll provider, and benefits partners

Key Accountabilities

•  Lead HR Operations: Oversee and develop the HR Operations team’s core functions, including onboarding, HR administration, and payroll.
•  Safer Recruitment & Compliance: Act as IRC UK’s lead on Safer Recruitment processes and Right to Work requirements, including visa administration and advising on pre-travel preparations, security training, and medical requirements in line with IRC policies.
•  Payroll & Benefits Management: Oversee payroll and benefits administration, serving as the escalation point for HR and Finance colleagues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•  Customer-Focused Service: Ensure a high-quality, customer-focused approach to People Administration across all HR processes.
•  HR Systems & Data: Collaborate with colleagues to maintain and optimise HR systems, data management, and reporting capabilities.
•  Legal & Policy Compliance: Ensure operational compliance with UK employment law and internal policies across all HR activities.
•  Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external providers, including payroll, pension, and other benefits partners.
•  Information Governance: Implement robust data protection practices, ensuring secure handling, storage, and sharing of employee data in compliance with GDPR and other relevant legislation.
•  Audit & Continuous Improvement: Lead and coordinate HR Operations audit activities in collaboration with Finance and global teams, using audit outcomes to drive process improvements.
•  Project Delivery: Manage the implementation of projects aligned with the People & Culture workplan, including GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) initiatives.
•  Employee Relations Administration: Coordinate and administer employee relations matters, including flexible working requests, probation reviews, and redundancy processes, directly managing when possible and escalating risks, for example related to disciplinaries or grievances as appropriate.

Person Specification

•  Passion for Humanitarian Work: Demonstrated commitment to working within the humanitarian sector and supporting IRC mission and values.
•  HR Leadership Experience: Significant experience in leading HR operations, ideally within the charity or non-profit sector.
•  Recruitment Onboarding Expertise: Proven ability to lead safer recruitment practices and deliver effective recruitment initiatives.
•  HR Systems Management: Experience in managing and optimising HR systems and processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and meaningful data reporting. Experience of Workday would be helpful. 
•  Leadership & Communication: Excellent leadership, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
•  Process Improvement: Ability to apply process improvement methodologies to streamline workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
•  Employment Law Knowledge: Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across payroll, contracts, policies, and employee entitlements.
•  Team Development: Strong leadership and emotional intelligence, with the ability to mentor HR staff, delegate effectively, and foster a high-performing, supportive team culture through clear communication and constructive feedback.
•  Time Management: Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications
•  CIPD qualification or equivalent (Level 5 or above) preferred

Standard Responsibilities

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC team.

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Related standard content: 

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

UK: 
Narrowing the Gender Gap: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.

The salary for the role is £50,000-£55,000.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

The application deadline is 14th December 2025.

Interviews will be on MS Teams on Thursday 18 December 2025. We may close this role early due to volume of applicants