Senior trust officer jobs in London, greater london
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Position: Senior Philanthropy Officer – Trusts and Foundations Maternity cover up to 1-year.
Salary: £36,000-38,000 per annum
Reports to: Senior Trusts & Foundations Manager
Location: Shoreditch, East London (Hybrid Model)
Key relationships: UK for UNHCR Head of Philanthropy and Philanthropy Team, Individual Giving Team, UNHCR Private Sector Partnerships division
JOB PURPOSE
UK for UNHCR is looking for an ambitious and proactive fundraiser to work in a Senior Philanthropy Officer role for up to one year’s maternity cover. This role will manage its own portfolio of low to mid-level trusts and foundations and will play a key role in supporting the Senior Trusts & Foundations Manager on the engagement and stewardship of our high-level partnerships, as well as supporting on the delivery of a high-quality supporter experience.
You will be joining the charity at an exciting moment, becoming part of a small but high performing team with big ambitions. This role is integral to the development of our Trusts and Foundations Programme.
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic and determined and who enjoys working collaboratively within and across teams, building relationships and inspiring people to support UNHCR’s lifesaving work. You’ll have strong problem solving and communication skills, both written and oral. You’ll be passionate about the refugee cause and UK for UNHCR’s role in supporting refugees around the globe.
Working with our international colleagues, this role will gather information for reports, donor communications and proposals on UNHCR’s key areas of work.
This role will also work across the team to support on growing the trusts and foundations pipeline, through identifying and then building relationships with trusts and foundations aligned with our cause.
Some international travel may be required.
If you think you have the relevant skills and crucially, the passion to support the refugee cause, please apply.
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
- Work as part of the Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Team (PPH) to develop new opportunities with trusts and foundations in line with UK for UNHCR’s fundraising strategy. This will include supporting and leading initiatives to approach potential supporters.
- Support the development and management of a robust trusts & foundations pipeline and a calendar of opportunities for grant submissions to trusts and foundations.
- Undertake detailed prospect research and identify the most appropriate funding and fundraising opportunities for trusts and foundations.
- Support the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, reports, and other fundraising products.
- Ensure current partners are stewarded to a high standard
- Support, and at times lead, on cultivation and stewardship events across the PPH team. This could be anything from a webinar to an in-person event for 50+ people.
- Support and lead on the development and execution of strong cultivation and stewardship plans, taking responsibility for keeping these updated and reviewed.
- Help establish an appropriate strategic and tactical response to trust and foundation prospects and supporters in the event of humanitarian emergencies.
- Maintain the Salesforce database with up-to-date and accurate information on trust and foundation prospects and partners.
- Help to raise awareness of, and build vital support for, UK for UNHCR’s unique position to protect refugees and displaced people.
- Work within UK for UNHCR’s due diligence and GDPR policies and processes.
- Ensure accurate income recording and earmarking procedures to facilitate financial reporting.
- Support the PPH team in other activities as requested.
- The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform duties that are not detailed above.
Personal Attributes and Experience
Essential Experience
- Experience of working in a fundraising capacity with an NGO or INGO to identify, approach, secure and steward trusts & foundations and/or major donors.
- Experience of devising and delivering impactful and engaging proposals and communications to generate income and build relationships.
- Experience of working across a busy team and managing a busy workload.
Essential Skills/Knowledge
- Ability to analyse reports and communicate complex themes and subjects to a variety of audiences, written and verbal.
- Ability to act proactively to identify new prospects and fundraising opportunities.
- Ability to juggle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines within a collaborative team environment.
- Good attention to detail and ability to proof-read.
- Able to demonstrate flexibility, with a willingness to respond quickly, particularly at times of humanitarian crisis.
- Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills.
- Proficient in using Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Working knowledge of fundraising databases.
Desirable Skills/Experience (not compulsory)
- Experience of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Experience of fundraising at an international development, human rights, or humanitarian NGO.
- Experience organising events
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: midday Monday 18th May
Interviews date: Weeks commencing 18th and 25th 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.
We stand with refugees – will you join us?

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Senior Trusts Officer
When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.
At Sense, we believe everyone should be able to take part in life—no matter their disability. Every day, we work alongside people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities so they can communicate, connect and thrive.
We’re now looking for a Senior Trusts Officer to join our ambitious and friendly High Value Relationships team in London on a six months fixed term contract covering maternity. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and relationship-driven fundraiser to play a key role in growing income from charitable trusts and foundations, making a direct difference to people’s lives across the UK and internationally.
About the Role
As Senior Trusts Officer, you’ll lead on securing and developing trust and foundation partnership, building a sustainable income stream that fuels Sense’s life-changing work.
You’ll manage your own portfolio of funders, both warm and new, developing strong, long-term relationships and writing compelling, bespoke proposals and reports. Working towards an income target of £250,000 and above, you’ll help shape and deliver our trust fundraising strategy.
This role offers real variety: researching new opportunities, meeting with funders, crafting persuasive cases for support, and collaborating with inspiring colleagues across Sense’s projects and services.
Key Responsibilities
- Work in partnership with the Trusts Manager and Head of High Value to develop and implement a strategy and Annual Plans for the Trusts Team to maximise income
- Contribute to the pipeline of Trust funding opportunities through upkeep of and additions to existing systems
- Research, approach and establish relationships with prospective funders with the view of achieving long term relationships
- Establish and develop positive strategic relationships with key people in the funding organisations
- Develop strong and effective relationships with other members of the team and colleagues in Sense operations.
Please review the full job description attached for further details about the role responsibilities and person specification.
What we're looking for
You’ll be someone who combines strategic thinking with creativity and care. With at least two years’ experience in trust and foundation fundraising and a track record of meeting or exceeding income targets, you’ll be confident managing relationships and writing outstanding funding proposals.
You’ll bring:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience cultivating and stewarding trust relationships
- Strong organisational and research abilities
- A proactive, collaborative attitude and the confidence to work independently
Experience using CRM systems (ideally Dynamics) and a genuine passion for Sense’s mission will help you thrive in this role.
About Sense
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we will be screening candidates as we receive applications and reserve the right to close posts at any time.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world.



Salary: £38,688 £3,090 London Weighting
Contract: 6-month FTC
Location: London / Hybrid – two days per week in office
Closing date: Rolling
Benefits: 24–28 days annual leave & option to buy/sell more, up to 5% pension contribution, Employee Assistance Programme, Life assurance cover, Health cash plan
We’re delighted to be supporting Sense, the national disability charity supporting people with complex needs, as they recruit a committed Senior Trusts Officer to join their High Value Relationships team on a 6-month FTC.
Sitting within the Trusts Team, and reporting to the Head of High Value Relationships, you will take ownership of a diverse and evolving portfolio of warm and cold trust prospects giving up to £50,000, leading the full lifecycle of trust fundraising: from prospect research and pipeline development, to developing compelling proposals, stewarding funders, and ensuring timely, accurate reporting.
To succeed as Senior Trusts Officer, you will need:
- Experience securing 5-figure grants and developing successful proposals
- Strong relationship?building skills and confidence engaging with funders and internal stakeholders
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information clearly
If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact us and quote the reference 2937JP.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment are a specialist charity recruitment agency. We use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector — you can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If sufficient applications are received, the charity reserves the right to close the role early.