EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-driven UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips voluntary community educators to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of our world where communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.
Since 2016, through collaborating extensively with over 250 local volunteers, who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’, with a strategy to support them in moving towards our ‘Dream Spot Model’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have relevance in settings across the world.
Our Ghana-based programmes team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for volunteers: the Ignite, Catalyse and Peer Mentoring Programmes. These enable them to lead EduLit, EduSTEM, EduKidz and Ignite Equity clubs, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 students of all ages annually. Read our 2022 Impact Report here.
We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last year. In 2024, we are launching our new Catalyse Leadership Programme, alongside developing an EduSpots app to enhance data management and programme management at the community level, alongside a wider digitalisation process through the distribution of tablets across the network.
We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder/CEO was a Finalist in The Varkey Foundation’s UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize.
We are excited by our future. Do visit our website for further information.
About this role
We are looking for an experienced and dynamic fundraising professional, with a proven track record of income generation and a strong ability to develop impactful relationships with the skills to bring aligned individuals and organisations into our long-term EduSpots community. The post holder will be creative, passionate and self-motivated, with strong marketing and communications skills, able to design and implement strategic fundraising approaches.
In this role, you will take on responsibility for identifying, creating and delivering impactful fundraising strategies that enable us to generate further relationships and income in support of our programmes.
You will oversee the development of our individual giving and monthly giving strategies and further develop relationships with schools, corporate organisations and NGOs, with a focus on resource acquisition (e.g. books, electronic devices) alongside fundraising. You will also play a supportive role in events and campaigns, and work closely with our Head of Communications to ensure our marketing and communications strategy is integrated with our fundraising aims. Currently, we already have a trusts and foundations manager, but would welcome applicants with experience of trust fundraising.
We are an innovative, flexible and creative team, where all ideas are welcome and a strong teamwork ethos which ensures that fundraising is integrated into our overall strategy thinking, with staff in UK, Ghana and Nigeria working closely together. The role offers an exciting opportunity to make a tangible and immediate difference, with our inspiring Catalysts and remarkable stories of local change on a low-cost model, making working for EduSpots a rewarding and impactful experience.
EduSpots is an equal opportunities employer and is also committed to the safeguarding of children & vulnerable adults. Appointment will be subject to child protection screening appropriate to the post.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of this role are to:
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Develop our individual giving and monthly giving strategies, including:
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Ensuring we have the right tools in place.
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Strengthening thanking and communications to existing supporters.
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Trialling new strategies for outreach to new audiences.
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Organise occasional fundraising events (e.g. face-to-face events in London; virtual events and fundraising challenges).
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Support organisation and delivery of appeals and campaigns (e.g. the Big Give).
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Support the development of impactful relationships with schools, universities, corporates and NGOs for fundraising and resource acquisition (e.g. books, digital devices, science equipment).
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If time and experience, possibly support grant applications.
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Line manage, and provide support to, the intern/s (fundraising).
Other
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Ensure all administrative tasks relating to the role are carried out accurately.
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To comply at all times with the organisation's policies, procedures and performance expectations of staff as set out in the Staff and Volunteers Handbook.
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To ensure compliance with data protection legislation.
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Any other duties as may be reasonably required under the role.
Skills, Experience and Attributes
Essential
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Proven track record of successful income generation from individuals or communities - ideally in a similar education / international development organisation
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Experience of developing and maintaining successful income generating relationships (e.g. with schools, corporates, individuals, communities)
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Experience of digital marketing to engage new charity supporters / donors (including using paid advertising and innovative engagement techniques)
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Experience of email marketing and donor conversion strategies
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Strong communication and marketing skills, ideally with basic design skills (Canva)
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Ability to work effectively in a remote based role with minimal day-to-day support
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Outstanding interpersonal skills
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Ability to use own initiative and work to tight and competing deadlines
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Ability to effectively manage workload and prioritise tasks
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Good IT skills - Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Canva, Social Media
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Alignment with EduSpots’ core values of care, passion, teamwork, sustainable impact, community leadership and play.
Desirable
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Experience of writing compelling and successful funding proposals
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Experience of managing and reporting to funders
How to apply:
Please send your CV along with a covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining your interest in EduSpots and how your skills, experience and attributes meet the criteria we are looking for. Please send your application to Cat Davison, EduSpots Founder & CEO by email.
Deadline for applications: Noon on 30th May 2024.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Baird and Co Recruitment, a specialist Social Housing recruitment firm, have been retained by The Yardley Great Trust Group and Sir Josiah Mason Trust in their acquisition of a Finance Director.
The role will work across both businesses following their partnership agreement in January 2023. Both businesses are steeped in the history of Birmingham, with the origins of The Yardley Great Trust Group going back to the 14th Century and SJMT’s beginnings in 1868. Their work in the Alms House arena is also highly individual, an area of support found in the heritage of SJMT.
The Finance Director role would ideally start swiftly and will take on a largely strategic direction whilst still requiring operational input.
Based in Olton, candidates with experience in a senior leadership role in finance whilst holding an understanding of how charities, housing providers or public sector organisations work will be highly advantageous.
The Finance Director post will cover many facets including, but not limited to:
Executive Leadership
- Working with the executive team to develop and manage the delivery of robust corporate, strategic and financial business plans
- Demonstrating positive leadership behaviours and bringing values to life within the organisational culture
- Effectively planning and providing for the resources required to action strategic and operational plans
- Undertaking quarterly reviews of the Charity's Risk Registers, reporting on major risks and mitigations at each Board meeting.
Financial Strategy and Control
- Leading on the delivery of strategic and annual financial business plans, ensuring viability is regularly tested through scenario modelling, appraisals, and stress tests
- Taking responsibility for annual budget and management accounts processes and preparation of statutory accounts
- Maintaining up-to-date reserves policies that meet the requirements of both the Charity SORP and RSL SORP
- Managing relationships with investment managers, ensuring regular review of performance and satisfaction
- Developing and maintaining effective systems of financial control that ensure that business plans are continually reviewed and reported on
- Maintaining overall responsibility for the computerised accounting system, including sales ledger, purchase ledger, cash book and nominal ledger
Treasury
- Being responsible for each Trust’s Treasury Management strategy and policy to ensure the availability of and flexibility of funding to support the achievement of strategic objectives and reduce exposure
Risk Management
- Leading on the development of risk management strategies and registers, audit frameworks, procedures and appraisal systems for capital projects and all other significant areas of risk.
Growth and Innovation
- To support the Chief Executive in the development of the Strategic Business Plans in a way that supports innovation and growth in services
ICT / HR
- Leading on the development and delivery of an effective ICT and Telecoms Strategy which supports mobile and agile working and customer relationship management that underpins our drive for excellent business
- Supporting with the development, implementation and review of an effective People Strategy which supports the vision and values of each Trust
- Reviewing the administration of all statutory returns and sector-relevant returns/surveys
- Leading on the annual remuneration review to approve or decline and make recommendations for salary increases
- Taking responsibility for the outsourced payroll and workplace pension scheme
- Overseeing the relationship with the outsourced IT support provider, ensuring optimal support to staff and monitoring performance against contract
- Working with and developing the use of financial accounting software to meet the operational and strategic development needs of the business
To secure the Finance Director post, the Trusts are seeking the below:
- Proven experience at a senior leadership level in a finance environment
- Experience preparing financial business plans, modelling scenarios and sensitivity analysis
- A track record of delivering on a range of other corporate support services such as IT or HR and Governance
- A relevant Professional Qualification i.e. CCAB or equivalent and membership of a recognised UK body desirable
- Up-to-date knowledge of all regulatory requirements including Finance, People, IT & Governance
- Experience developing services to achieve and support strategic organisational objectives.
The Trusts are also seeking a Finance Director who can demonstrate the values of SJMT and YGT:
- Personalised
- Dignity
- Innovation
- Excellence
- Honesty
- Fun
If interested or want to discuss other Social Housing Executive roles please get in touch with Matt Baird.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
An inspirational charity is seeking an inspirational CEO. The Amber Trust is a unique charity, dedicated to funding music opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Job title: Chief Executive Officer
Reporting to: Board of Trustees through the Chair
Location: Flexibility to work remotely with at least one day per week in our SW London and other locations for meetings as required
Hours:,30 – 37.5 hours per week TBA with candidate
Contract: Permanent
Salary range: £55 - £60K pro-rata (depending on experience)
Charity overview
The Amber Trust provides musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children, including those with additional disabilities, via its Music Awards and Music Services.
Amber Music Awards fund instrumental and singing lessons, the purchase of musical instruments and specialist software, funding for concert tickets, and travel to musical activities for vision impaired children throughout the UK. In addition, there are structured programmes in its Music Services.
‘Little Amber’ is a service that offers music resources and quarterly sessions with a specially trained music practitioner to children under five and their families. ‘AmberPlus’ provides music resources and sessions offered on a termly basis to children over five who also have complex needs.’ ‘With Music in Mind’ is a new service for visually impaired children and young people with life-limiting neurodegenerative disease. Amber’s workshop scheme offers music sessions for groups of children in schools, charities and community organisations.
We have also developed extensive online music resources for teachers that are freely downloadable from anywhere in the world.
The Charity has a turnover of around £400k, employs a small central administrative team, and, for the music services, works through a large network of self-employed practitioners.
Role purpose
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board of Trustees for leading The Amber Trust, developing and realising Amber’s vision and strategy, and playing a key ambassadorial role with funders and other senior stakeholders. The CEO is responsible for the management of the charity and its staff and the execution of Amber’s targets, plans and policies, ensuring that resources are used to best effect in meeting the needs of beneficiaries. The CEO is responsible for initiating and overseeing new initiatives that will ensure Amber plays a leading role in the field of music and blindness in children and young people into the future.
Role Description
Accountabilities: To develop, lead and manage The Amber Trust, in particular:
Strategy
• to develop and deliver innovative projects and services in accordance with Amber’s strategy.
• to ensure Amber flourishes, meeting all its charitable objectives and its legal obligations as a charity and a company limited by guarantee, and to honour its duty of care to its staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders;
• to maintain Amber’s ethos of providing individual and personal support to beneficiaries and their families;
• to lead Amber in the development and implementation of its long- and medium-term strategy and annual business plans in accordance with the strategic direction and policy framework agreed by the Trustees;
Fundraising and events
• to attend, represent and promote Amber at meetings, conferences and other events, enhancing its profile across the UK – occasional evening and weekend work and travel may be required for this;
• to manage volunteers and liaise effectively with fundraisers and individual donors;
• to engage in fundraising and income-generating activity to ensure the sustainability and growth of Amber, including bid writing activity;
• to monitor and evaluate the services offered by Amber as required by external funders and Trustees, writing and submitting reports to deadline
Operations
• to manage and support operations and services and to be hands-on where required to ensure these are delivered;
• to be pro-active in maintaining digital media relating to Amber and its work, including (but not limited to) its web page, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube;
• to manage the budget prudently to ensure Amber’s financial soundness;
• to ensure efficiency and effectiveness externally in service delivery, and internally in its systems, resources and infrastructure;
• to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with Trustees, organising and contributing to regular meetings for the Board, and its Investment, Fundraising, Digital Media, Music Awards and Music Services subcommittees, including the provision of reports, financial information, data on service delivery and all other matters to enable the Trustees to fulfil their governance role.
People management
• to manage staff, setting their objectives and ensuring that these are met, and that colleagues appreciate the ethos and values of Amber, and work in accordance with its strategic objectives, with regular update meetings and an appraisal cycle, and to monitor and recommend to Trustees appropriate remuneration;
• to ensure all staff are aware of current national policies and procedures relating to safeguarding in relation to the children and young people that Amber serves, and are given training annually.
Also to undertake other such duties as may reasonably be required from time to time by the Trustees.
Person specification
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they have the following essential requirements:
Essential criteria
· Proven leadership experience in the third sector
· Proven management experience in at least two organisations
· Demonstrable passion for music
· Experience of measuring the impact of charitable services and driving quality improvements
· Degree level education or equivalent
Knowledge, skills and experience
· Experience of working with trustee boards and an understanding of their role and governance experience
· Experience of programme development and the management of grants
· Familiarity with UK charity law and governance issues
· Awareness of disability issues
· A track record of successful fundraising
· Experience of staff management including personal development, objective-setting, recruitment and performance management
· A high level of computer literacy in standard office packages and CRM systems such as Salesforce ;
Competencies and personal qualities
· The capacity for innovative thinking
· The ability to motivate self and others – of developing a vision and enlisting others to share it
· The ability to see ideas through from concept to implementation and evaluation
· The capacity to operate at a strategic level and to analyse and understand complex issues;
· The ability to prepare and manage budgets;
· Strong organisational, written and oral communication skills, including experience and confidence in public speaking and in effective report writing
· The ability to work in a self-directed manner, and to develop good working relationships with stakeholders
· A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, treating people from all backgrounds with respect, dignity
· The right to reside and work permanently in the UK
Desirable criteria
· Experience of working with or caring for people with visual impairment
· Familiarity with the UK education system, and in particular, music education
· Knowledge of and familiarity with special education provision, incl]uding special schools
· Familiarity with other regional and national music organisations working in the field of music education.
The closing date for all applications is 9:00 am Monday, 20th May 2024. Initial interviews are planned to take place face-to-face in London on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th May 2024.
To apply to the role, please send a CV and covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the essential criteria.
To apply to the role, please send a CV and covering letter, outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the essential criteria.