Package Description

Contract type: Attachment/Fixed Term Contract until 14th October 2026 – With potential extension
Location: The role will be based in one of BBC Media Action’s offices in Africa, Asia or the UK. Current BBC Media Action offices are in the following cities, and the role could be based in any of these, subject to the prevailing security situation at the time of appointment: Abuja, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, Delhi, Dhaka, Freetown, Hargeisa, Jakarta, Juba, Kabul, Kathmandu, London, Lusaka, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, Tunis, Yangon. Candidates based in these countries but outside these cities would be offered support to relocate if necessary. Applications are welcome from anyone with the existing right to work in any of those countries.

Salary: The successful applicant will be employed and based in their home country, with salary set according to BBC Media Action’s local pay scales in that country. 

BBC Media Action

We are the BBC’s international charity. We use media and communication to help deliver stronger democracies, a safer, more habitable planet and inclusive societies. We bring together a unique blend of journalistic, creative, research and international development expertise; deep local knowledge of our audiences in the places we work; our strong networks of local partners; and our invaluable link to the BBC and everything it stands for.

We support the BBC’s determination to pursue truth with no agenda, and to bring people together. We champion impartiality, creativity, and diverse representation in some of the most vulnerable international media and information landscapes. While we benefit from strong partnerships with the BBC, we rely on the generous support of donors to continue our vital work. 

With our partners, we reach more than 100 million people in need around the world, in more than 30 countries and 50 languages!  

Job Introduction

We have an exciting opportunity to join our organisation as Director of Fundraising leading an existing fundraising team. This is a new role as part of an ambitious plan to grow our unrestricted and semi-restricted funding to ensure our sustainability. 

The role reports to the UK-based CEO and is a member of the BBC Media Action Management Team, sharing collective responsibility to deliver the organisation’s strategy and vision. You will oversee fundraising staff, through direct line management of two core central teams, one focused on corporate, high-net-worth individuals and public fundraising and the other on institutional funding. These teams run fundraising efforts directly themselves as well as support critical regional and country business development.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead on Fundraising
• Direct Line Management of core central teams
• Lead plans to secure income from a range of institutions including governments, multilateral agencies, foundations and corporates;
• Develop new unrestricted fundraising channels
• Lead and Maintain business development systems, for income generation maximizing donor engagement, securing income for programmes and the provision of high quality, strategic input into business development strategies. Whilst also delivering the organisation’s strategy and vision
• Inspire and engage others to deliver our shared strategic goals

Are you the right candidate?

• Proven experience in delivering growth in restricted and unrestricted fundraising income 
• Experience in fundraising from large institutional investors, including bilaterals, multilaterals, and leading global foundations 
• Experience operating at a board and senior management level 
• Experience of mentoring and developing fundraisers and other stakeholders in fundraising practices 
• Experience fundraising in the US, especially from corporates, foundations and high-net-worth individuals is desirable but not essential
• Knowledge of the political context and Government views to international development 
• Thorough understanding of governance issues which apply to UK registered charities
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate people
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and influential skills with the ability to interact and establish good working relationships with key stakeholders 
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to make tough decisions quickly and confidently 
• Ability to stimulate the workforce, creating appetite to grow and work at pace 
• Must be an excellent team worker, committed to building collaborative and effective relationships both internally and externally across countries and regions 
• Demonstrate passion and commitment for international development work and a good understanding of the charity sector