Introduction to Girls Not Brides

Girls Not Brides is the only global organisation uniquely focused on creating and sustaining a worldwide movement to end child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) and ensuring that this movement leads to tangible change for the girls at risk or affected by the practice. We are a network of more than 1,400 civil society organisations in over 100 countries working in partnership to end child marriage.

Our vision is a world without child marriage, where girls and women enjoy equal status with boys and men and can achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Our vision challenges deeply embedded social norms that harm the lives of girls, women, and their communities.

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‍Introduction to the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Development Manager. Based within the Development and Outreach team in the External Engagement directorate, you will report to the Head of Development and Outreach and work closely with senior staff and external stakeholders.

The successful individual will have wide-ranging responsibilities including managing and strengthening relationships with existing and prospective donors, leading the development of Girls Not Brides' prospect pipeline, and preparing and quality-assuring a range of proposals and donor deliverables. You will also contribute to the project management of restricted grants, working with Regional, Finance and Impact teams to keep these projects on track.

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About You

We are looking for a passionate and talented fundraiser with significant experience in a similar role in the not-for-profit sector, international/intergovernmental organisation or social enterprise. You will have in-depth knowledge of the funding landscape and experience securing multiyear grants from both government donors and trusts and foundations. You will have excellent relationship management and impeccable written and communication skills.

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Key Responsibilities

Securing income and donor relationship management

• Cultivate new and strengthen existing relationships with a range of donors for Girls Not Brides - currently largely donor governments and private foundations.
• Lead the development of funding proposals, budgets, and MEL frameworks, working with other teams.
• Project manage restricted funding providing coordination between teams to ensure smooth donor relations, compliance and reporting.
• Manage, draft and quality-assure a range of communications and deliverables for existing and prospective donors.
• Proactively anticipate and respond to the interests and needs of existing and prospective donors, to share news, products and updates and to involve them in relevant Girls Not Brides' activities.

Donor pipeline development

• Lead the management of Girls Not Brides' prospect pipeline.
• Identify new donor prospects for Girls Not Brides through deep knowledge of the sector and funding landscape, complemented by the latest research, analysis and networking.
• Work with senior leaders and other teams to develop a clear funding wishlist and concept notes in line with our strategy.
• Work with the Finance team to support pipeline and gap analysis to inform fundraising agenda.

External visibility and events

• Represent Girls Not Brides externally with donors and partners, collaborating across the External Engagement directorate and with other teams. This may include attending events and meetings both in the UK and internationally.
• Project manage donor-related meetings and events as necessary.
• Support increased visibility and awareness of Girls Not Brides' work.  

Wider organisational responsibilities

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Development and Outreach team and External Engagement directorate, particularly in relation to Girls Not Brides' fundraising strategy, insights on and communications with donor audiences, and the funding landscape.
• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.  
• Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, members, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Line manage roles and consultants as necessary, delegating responsibilities and tasks as appropriate.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides' policies and processes, with note for safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement Girls Not Brides.

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Person Specification

Essential experience

• Experience of successful fundraising and donor engagement, preferably with both institutional donors and private trusts and foundations within a similar sector.
• Experience of prospect research and cultivating new partnerships with institutional donors.
• Experience of project management, working with a global, cross-cultural team.
  

Essential skills and knowledge  

• Advanced understanding of charity fundraising, and knowledge of trends in fundraising and the broader development sector.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to effectively and synthesise information for different audiences.
• Excellent research and prospecting skills, with the ability to recognise potential opportunities and drive them forward.
• Excellent relationship management, political astuteness and diplomacy skills to be able to interact and navigate a range of actors and organisations across the sector to position Girls Not Brides positively.
• Highly organised with excellent information management skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and ability to appraise options and adapt plans as required.
  

Essential values and attributes

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides including understanding of approaches to empower girls and women and support gender equality.
• Skilled team worker with an inclusive and collaborative approach, in line with Girls Not Brides values.
• Proactive fundraiser who can operate confidently and independently.
• Direct experience of working in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
  

Desirable

• Proficiency in French or Spanish.
• Programmatic experience of working on child marriage or broader work on empowerment of girls and women.

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Salary Range          

£46,850 rising on an annual incremental basis. Girls Not Brides also offers a generous 10% pension.

Contract

This is an initial two-year full-time role.

The successful candidate must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of applying and for the full duration of the two-year initial contract.

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Job Location

London, UK (hybrid with up to two days on site per week).

The successful candidate must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of applying and for a minimum of two years.

The role includes international travel. ‍

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Accountable to:

Head of Development and Outreach

This role includes line manager responsibilities, overseeing the day-to-day work of the Development and Outreach Officer.

Safeguarding

Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk with whom our staff and representatives work and interface. Any employment with Girls Not Brides may be subject to the satisfactory completion of a background check and criminal records check which can include but is not limited to; an overseas police record check, a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (for those based in the UK) or an International Criminal Record Check (if applicable).

Diversity

Girls Not Brides is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion in a serious way. We are committed to building a staff body that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

How to Apply

The closing date for this role is 00:00 GMT on Sunday 9 March 2025.

Interviews will be scheduled for the week commencing 24 March 2025.

To apply, please click on the 'Apply for Job' button on the job page and submit your CV and a brief cover letter (no more than two pages) clearly demonstrating how you meet the criteria.

We regret that due to the large number of applications anticipated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This role is also being advertised in Nairobi, Kenya. There is only one Development Manager position available, and it is being advertised in both locations.