Overview
The Prospect Researcher will join a growing Partnership & Philanthropy team with ambitious goals to achieve over £5M in income from high-net-worth supporters, trusts and foundations and corporates. This role will play an important role in building a sustainable strategy and pipeline of future high-value partners in MAF’s work and mission.
Specifically you will provide insight led research, analysis and network mapping to support strategic engagement with prospective and existing supporters to deliver a high quality Partnerships Research service that informs and strengthens fundraising and partnership development activity. You will promote the value of evidence based decision making, ensuring Partnership Managers at all levels have access to clear, accurate and ethically obtained research to support effective relationship building.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Research delivery, analysis and network mapping
* Undertake up‑to‑date, accurate and efficiently produced research, including prospect research profiles, due diligence and network mapping.
* Analyse connections, relationships and spheres of influence to provide insight into prospective and existing supporters.
* Translate research findings into clear, accessible evidence that tells a coherent story and supports decision‑making, including providing recommendations where appropriate.
* Attend and actively participate in sector events and networking forums to identify new prospects, monitor giving trends, and build knowledge of potential supporters and partners
Stakeholder collaboration
* Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the Philanthropy and Partnerships team, MAF UK, Board members and relevant external stakeholders, promoting the value of research, insight and network analysis in both strategic and operational decision‑making.
* Provide guidance to colleagues on the use and interpretation of research findings, including in relation to ethical fundraising and reputational risk.
Prospect pipeline development
* Proactively develop and maintain a prospect research pipeline to support Philanthropy, Trust and Foundations and Corporate Partnership colleagues as they cultivate, steward and develop relationships with prospective and existing supporters, informed by robust research and network intelligence.
Promoting good research practice
* Promote the use of good research practice, including ethical prospect research and effective network mapping, and demonstrate how strong evidence and insight can add value across fundraising and partnership activity.
* Carry out due diligence on donors and prospects to ensure donations are accepted in accordance with MAF’s ethical fundraising policy. Feed into the review of the processes and policies, where relevant.
Professional knowledge and development
* Keep abreast of relevant research developments, tools, sector best practice, regulation and legislation, and share learning and updates with colleagues to that MAF is at the forefront of current development research trends and best practice.
Data protection and ethics
* Ensure all research activity complies with data protection legislation, GDPR, the Fundraising Code of Practice and organisational policies, exercising sound judgement and maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
Systems, processes and data quality
* Work with P&P Team Executive to support the effective use and maintenance of internal systems, processes and documentation to enable efficient, ethical and high-quality research activity, including accurate and compliant use of the supporter database and research records.
* Coordinate and manage research subscriptions and tools, acting as the main point of contact for external suppliers including the coordination of invoices.
Tasks common to all Staff and those with Line Management Responsibility:
* Role modelling of organisational values and beliefs - to contribute to the shared spiritual life of the MAF UK team as a unique Christian charity. This will include encouragement of team members to attend, participate and lead in times of Biblical reflection and regular corporate prayer meetings.
* To lead and manage team member to ensure objectives are met through support, performance management and development.
* To participate and support team member to participate in matrix programme and project teams, contributing skills and expertise to required timescales from the appropriate programme leader.
* To keep line manager informed of all relevant and timely information.
* At all times comply with statutory requirements for handling personal and sensitive data in a confidential manner and ensure that good personal data handling practices are developed, reviewed and encouraged
* To manage own priorities, workload and development.
* To abide at all times with the Safeguarding and Conduct Policies, and all other MAF UK policies provided on the Intranet.
* For staff expected to travel overseas outside of Europe as part of your job role - frequent travelers outside of Europe (i.e. more than 1 trip per year) will be required to attend a bi-annual medical at an approved provider e.g. Thrive.
Brief summary of Terms and Conditions
Job Title: Prospect Research and Data Executive (Part Time)
Location: Hybrid with consideration for fully-remote working. MAF UK, Castle Hill Avenue; Folkestone; Kent CT20 2TN or MAF UK Cranfield Office
Working Hours: Office open officially from 9.00 to 5.30pm (9-4pm on Friday). Hours to be agreed according to flexible working policy.
Terms:
* 22.5 hours (3 days) with 1 hour for lunch daily unpaid per week. Hours should be agreed with line manager according to flexible hours policy.
* Flexibility will be required for working additional hours and travel to meet business needs or for travel or meetings etc on weekends.
* Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per year and 8 paid public holidays per year.
* Non-contributory pension scheme (10%) salary.
Salary: £32,510 per annum FTE (pro Rata)
Probationary and notice period:
* 4 month probation period with a 2 month review
* 3 month notice period
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Essential Qualifications and Experience
* Educated to degree or equivalent level
* Recent evidence of quality written work
* Recent evidence of data skills, including a Knowledge of UK data protection legislation and GDPR
* Cultural awareness and ability to interact successfully on a cross-cultural basis
* Meticulous attention to detail, with highly developed analytical skills and experience of report writing
* Excellent writing skills and attention to detail
* Efficient and organised approach
* Able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
* Proficient skills in Microsoft applications
Personal Qualities
* Committed and mature evangelical Christian, able to demonstrate understanding and acceptance of the Statement of Faith and willing to proactively take part in MAF events and meetings e.g. prayer meetings, away days etc. Able to describe these
Highly desirable Qualities
* Professional fundraising qualification or commitment to CPD
* Experience of working in a Christian organisation or charity/fundraising environment
* Fundraising and Prospect Research experience either within an INGO setting or institutional such as a University.
* Experience using a CRM, and prospect research tools, database mining and modelling
Closing date for applications 21st June 2026
Interviews from 22nd June
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