Senior philanthropy officer jobs

**PLEASE NOTE: To apply for this vacancy, please ensure you firstly download a copy of our application form from the documents section below and complete it. Click the 'apply' button and fill out your personal details in the relevant sections. Once you have submitted these you will be asked if you would like to attach any documents. At this stage please submit the completed version of the application form.**

Position: Proposal Writer  

Salary: £37,500 to £41,500 per annum based on experience

Contract: Fixed term maternity cover, up to 12 months.

Reports to: Senior Advisor, Private Philanthropy

Location: Shoreditch, East London (Hybrid Model) 

Key internal relationships: Teams across Major donors, Trust & Foundations, Corporate Partnerships, Comms, UNHCR global, CEO’s office

JOB PURPOSE

UK for UNHCR (UK4U), the UN Refugee Agency's national charity partner, is looking for a Writer. We are a small but high-performing team with big ambitions.

As a team player, you will work with colleagues across Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (PPH), Communications and UNHCR global.

Passionate about the refugee cause and UNHCR’s contribution, you will have prior experience of writing for philanthropic audiences.

This role is integral to the development of the Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (PPH) programme. You will work collaboratively across the PPH team and with international colleagues drawing on a diverse range of content to develop high quality compelling assets which convey our organisational story and priority needs. These assets may be written tailored propositions, investment cases, impact reports, budgets and other creative materials.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO  

United Kingdom for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the United Kingdom. We generate public awareness of the plight of refugees and raise funds to help protect them through UNHCR’s humanitarian operations across the world.

Our supporters include UK private individuals, communities, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. The funds we raise help UNHCR deliver emergency relief such as shelter, medical care and basic supplies to people fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as healthcare, education and livelihoods opportunities for those who remain displaced over the long term.

Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all play a part in their protection, and we want those who work with us to share our values and passion for the cause.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING

We strongly value diversity and recognise that it is critical to our success and the cause that we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all who work with us and strongly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, or a stateless person.

UK for UNHCR is proud to have Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. The Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is a group of colleagues focusing on tasks that drive action in the implementation of our D&I Approach.  The group also works to create safe spaces that brings colleagues together for events, discussions and learning experiences that celebrate and support diversity and tackle barriers to inclusion. 

We are also open to flexibility in many ways, including an element of working from home and flexible hours. Please don’t be afraid to speak to us about this at the interview stage, so we can explore what’s possible.

Role Responsibilities  

The role operates primarily as an in-house writing and strategic support function, focused on the organisation’s highest-level donors and priority audiences.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking the lead on drafting and delivering a bi-annually Philanthropy newsletter for existing donors and selected prospects, strengthening stewardship and positioning UNHCR’s philanthropic offer.
• Supporting the cultivation and stewardship of priority relationships through the development of bespoke, high-quality and strategically aligned concept notes, proposals, cases for support, business cases, and stewardship/impact reports for Corporate partners, Major Donors, Trusts and Philanthropists.
• Producing high value external communications for philanthropists & corporate partners, including CEO comms and timely email updates sharing relevant news and insights.
• Acting as a trusted internal service, working with colleagues to shape clear, consistent, and donor-focused narratives
• Developing trusted relationships with internal stakeholders across Partnerships & Philanthropy and relevant international colleagues to ensure messaging is accurate, aligned consistent, and reflects the supporter’s motivations and interests.
• Remaining flexible and responsive to emergency situations, supporting the development of targeted materials for priority audiences as required.
• Maintaining a bank of high quality, ready-to-use fundraising and stewardship materials to enable rapid response to new opportunities, including summaries of core thematic areas and flagship initiatives.
• Working closely with Communications colleagues to help position UNHCR’s philanthropic ambitions across external channels, including digital and social platforms. This includes occasional content development, reactive writing, and updating sections of the Philanthropy and Partnerships webpage.
• Managing deadlines effectively by setting clear priorities and timelines for drafting, review, approval, and dissemination.
• Staying up to date on issues affecting displaced communities, key campaigns, international priorities, and field-based reporting to ensure credibility and relevance.
• Maintaining strong awareness of organisational priorities and key fundraising moments throughout the year to support donor progression.
• Continuously improving ways of working by reviewing and refining processes, coordination, and core materials.
• Supporting the development of additional fundraising and stewardship materials as required by the line manager.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role.

Essential Skills/Knowledge

• Research skills and an ability to digest and distil technical information from a range of sources to produce donor-friendly, compelling, persuasive, and concise copy for a range of specific target audiences.
• Attention to detail and proofreading skills and an ability to give and receive clear and constructive feedback on creative and copy.
• Ability to create content that is well-written, well-designed, and factually reliable Ability to work at speed to respond to new opportunities as they emerge and prioritise accordingly.
• Knowledge of the principles of fundraising from philanthropists and high value donors.
• A flexible approach to managing and prioritising multiple tasks.
• Experience of taking initiative to ensure open and collaborative working.
• Experience of working across a busy team and managing a busy workload.
• Passion and motivation to raise vital funds to support refugees and internally displaced people.

Personal Attributes and Experience

Essential Experience

• Experience of building effective and persuasive cases for support, collaborating with relevant internal teams
• Proven proficiency with design principles and tools (experience of Canva/Adobe suite desirable)
• Experience of developing inspiring and compelling proposals for HNWIs, corporates and/ or trusts. 
• Demonstrable experience of working constructively and collaboratively with colleagues from different teams
• Experience of delivering high quality work with minimum supervision, and the ability to be self-motivated.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience of, or a passionate interest in, the charity sector and the drive to mobilise supporters to stand with refugees
• Experience of working with Trustees and Development Boards
• Experience of using technology and other digital tools to support donor stewardship
• Experience of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment

WHY JOIN UNITED KINGDOM FOR UNHCR?

You will be part of a high performing agile team of talented people; all committed to build solidarity and raise funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. You will be working in a flexible, supportive, and inclusive environment, where your work will be recognised and appraised.

What else?

Wellbeing

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays (pro-rata).
• Employee Assistance programme providing 24/7 access to online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing.
• Access to 100s of perks with discounts on everyday purchases.
• Office wellness perks.
• Discount on gym memberships.
• Hybrid and Flexible Working.
• Staff socials.

Financial

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8%.
• Non-contributory group life assurance scheme
• Non-contributory Income protection scheme.
• One-off contribution towards homeworking set up.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme.

Development

• Comprehensive training and continuing development opportunities.
• Individual training budget.

HOW TO APPLY

If you have the relevant skills and the passion to use them to support refugees, please apply by completing our application form which is available in the documents section.   

Closing date: 8th May

Interviews date: Week commencing 18th May

If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation, please contact us. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible.

United Kingdom for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales), charity no. 1183415. It is the UK national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency.

This is an exciting opportunity to direct our grant awarding as Programmes Director, 37.5 hours per week, based in Cornwall and able to work from CCF’s office in Bodmin at least two days a week.

Salary: £42,000-£45,000 per annum depending on experience

The Programmes Director is a key role within Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) and is responsible for leading the development and management of CCF’s grant making programmes and measuring our impact.

At the Cornwall Community Foundation, we believe in a positive life in Cornwall for all, free from poverty and social isolation. Our aim is to change people’s lives for the better by helping local communities.

If you have previous knowledge of the voluntary sector, particularly in Cornwall, and are looking for a wide variety of responsibilities working to tight deadlines, we want to hear from you. We offer a friendly environment to work in and you'll be joining a team who really are making a difference in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Please download the application pack from the Cornwall Communitty Foundation website.

To apply for this post please send your CV and covering letter. (Incomplete applications will not be considered). CCF are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across our funding portfolio and staff team. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as LGBTQ+, those with disabilities, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and/or those from racialised communities.

Closing date 11 May 2026.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Head of Community-Led Change (Wales) 

Starting Salary:£69,215. Plus 3.6% increase following successful completion of probation period. 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role with expectation of regular travel through Wales, across regions and to London 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape and lead the Foundation’s work across Wales, ensuring that community-led change reflects Welsh priorities, policy, and lived experience. 

As Head of Community-Led Change (Wales), you will provide strategic leadership for programmes and partnerships, driving a place-based approach that delivers meaningful and lasting impact. You will work collaboratively across the organisation to align funding, development support, and influencing activity, ensuring a coordinated and effective approach. 

You will build strong relationships with Welsh Government, public bodies, funders, and community organisations, acting as a credible and visible ambassador. You will also contribute to organisational leadership, supporting strategic direction while leading a high-performing team in Wales. 

About You 

We’re looking for an experienced and credible leader with a strong understanding of Wales, its communities, and policy landscape. You will bring a track record of leading programmes, building partnerships, and delivering impact. 

You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, alongside strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate complexity. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Midday, Thursday 7th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Thursday 14th May 2026 

Second Interview: Tuesday 26th May 2026