Want a rewarding career standing up for vulnerable children?

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SOS Children’s Villages UK is a leading organisation in alternative care whose aim is to ensure no child grows up alone. The charity is looking for dynamic and passionate people to join its marketing and fundraising team as a corporate partnerships fundraiser and major gifts fundraiser. Do you have what it takes?

Monica Martin, head of marketing & fundraising, tells us about the career opportunities at SOS Children’s Villages UK and offers insider tips for applicants.

Tell us about your organisation and what it does

SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest charity working with orphaned and abandoned children. We work in 134 countries to prevent family breakdown and care for children who have lost parental care, or who risk losing it. We work with communities, partners and governments to ensure that the rights of all children, in every society, are respected and fulfilled; to ensure they live in a safe and loving environment where their need for food, health, education and shelter, are met.

What roles are you recruiting for?

We are currently recruiting for a variety of positions in the fundraising and marketing team. Two of the exciting opportunities include a corporate partnerships fundraiser and a major gifts fundraiser. Our growth strategy depends upon the creation of a strong pipeline of new partners and donors. Working closely with the rest of the fundraising team, they will be building this pipeline in order to create lasting and rewarding relationships.

What kind of people are you looking for?  

We are looking for people with a background and demonstrable track record in new business development in the charity and commercial sectors. The roles would suit dynamic and energetic people who are passionate about what they do. SOS is an exciting place to work; every member of the team, no matter their role, is passionate about what they do. 

The roles will involve researching, developing and nurturing new relationships and existing ones, so you need to be able to communicate across all levels.

Why would someone want to work for SOS Children’s Villages UK?

The most rewarding and fulfilling part of our job is to see the real impact our work has on the lives of vulnerable children and families worldwide. We are a small charity in the UK but we have huge ambitions to grow our income and brand awareness, with the possibility to have a domestic programme in the future. 

We offer a competitive benefits package including 25 days holiday, competitive pension contribution scheme and more. We are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively.

Project in Guinea

SOS Children's Villages project in Guinea: children going to school

What exciting projects are you working on?

We are always working on fundraising initiatives like our annual World Orphan Week, which works with individuals, corporates, communities and schools to raise awareness and funds which in turn helps vulnerable children worldwide. We are also planning different fundraising opportunities to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2018.

What opportunities for training and development are there?

We are committed to developing our staff. Whenever possible we offer support in relevant professional development. We also encourage our team to take responsibility for their own learning. As part of an international organisation there is also an opportunity to apply for roles in our sister countries.  

What tips would you offer applicants?

Match your skills and experience closely to the job description and person specification. Applicants must be able to embrace all aspects of our work and should be able to talk about their passion for SOS. You must definitely be a hands-on and proactive, driven individual.

Sum up what it’s like to work for SOS Children’s Villages UK

We are a small but close-knit and hard-working team who have a passion for what we do. Joining SOS Children’s Villages UK means that you are joining a leading organisation in alternative care whose aim is to ensure that No Child Grows Up Alone.

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