Candidate Pack
2025
Senior Programme Funding Manager Candidate Pack
Job Title: Senior Programme Funding Manager
Organisation: SOS Children’s Villages UK
Location: remote* (some travel to London and occasionally the Cambridge office/other UK locations will be required for meetings and events; the role may also involve occasional overseas travel).
Salary: £42,000-£44,000 dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent, full-time (0.8 FTE will be considered for the right candidate)
Reporting to: Head of Programme Funding *Hybrid working (working regular days from our Cambridge office) is also an option.
Overview SOS Children’s Villages is a global charity that protects children who have lost, or who are at risk of losing parental care, by ensuring children can grow up in a stable environment where they feel safe, loved and supported. We protect and improve the lives of children in 135+ countries and territories, working with communities to keep vulnerable families together. Where this is not possible, we provide children with a home and family-like care at an SOS Village community. As a global authority on alternative care, SOS Children’s Villages works in partnership with the United Nations, advocating for the rights of all children and contributing towards the development of key child protection policies.
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The role
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Role description
Are you a relationship builder with a talent for persuasive writing and a passion for social impact? As our Senior Programme Funding Manager, you'll be the vital bridge between life-changing projects and the financial resources they need to thrive.
Working directly with our Head of Programme Funding, you'll harness your creativity and strategic mindset to secure crucial support from grant-making organisations and institutional funders. Your detective skills will uncover perfect-match funding opportunities across our global programmes, while your compelling storytelling will transform complex projects into irresistible grant applications that funders can't wait to support.
Day to day, you'll nurture relationships that keep resources flowing to where they're needed most. You'll identify promising new funding sources, craft proposals that stand out in a competitive landscape, deepen existing partnerships to maximise support, and collaborate with colleagues to share powerful impact stories that demonstrate the tangible difference our funders make in children's lives.
You'll be joining a dynamic, ambitious team with bold growth plans and a shared determination to reach more children in need. As we expand our funding portfolio and deepen our impact across the globe, your expertise and fresh perspectives will be invaluable in helping us achieve our vision.
This is about connecting resources to real human impact across the world. Every successful application you develop means more children have the stability, love and care they need to live independent, fulfilled and happy lives.
Responsibilities
Drive Strategic Growth
Collaborate with the Head of Programme Funding to develop and implement innovative strategies that expand our funding from UK-based institutions, foundations, and trusts Map our global programmes against the UK donor landscape to identify prime opportunities Pioneer our fundraising strategy in the humanitarian action sector Develop expertise in critical areas including humanitarian action and climate change adaptation
Craft compelling partnerships
Transform programme data into powerful funding proposals that resonate with potential donors Build and nurture relationships with grant-making organisations that share our vision Work across our global network to ensure proposals reflect the genuine needs of the communities we serve Work in close partnership with SOS UK and international colleagues to ensure grant funding applications are appropriately informed by and aligned with key specialisms including:
Child Safeguarding Programme Management Financial Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Communications Research
Develop innovative partnerships with other implementing partners, NGOs, research organisations and other relevant organisations, creating new ways of working collaboratively with other stakeholders in international development and humanitarian assistance. Diligently process all incoming grants in close partnership with the Finance Business Partner. Conduct thorough due diligence on prospective funders and partners, ensuring full compliance with fundraising regulations, ethical policies, internal procedures, and industry best practices.
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Lead with excellence
Manage the full grant application cycle in partnership with international colleagues and working cross departmentally with other SOS UK teams, including programme, safeguarding, finance and communication teams. Ensure all donor communications reflect SOS UK's exceptional standards Create detailed reports that demonstrate the life-changing impact of funders' contributions Maintain meticulous records in Salesforce to track opportunities and relationships Apply your analytical skills to forecast and report on financial and non-financial KPIs
Other
Implement the Equal Opportunities Policy into daily activities. Be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC Directives, including reporting any health and safety hazard immediately when you become aware of it. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in this post. Keep abreast of key fundraising trends and issues and the regulatory environment around fundraising. Ensure that you follow the Code of Fundraising Practice, as stipulated by the Fundraising Regulator and best practice is adhered to.
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Person specification
Essential criteria
A minimum of 3 years in a similar role Experience in international development Proven experience in securing grant or institutional funding and developing sustainable income streams Demonstrable experience of developing new relationships from scratch and securing six- figure grants Excellence in prospect research, proposal writing, and funder relationship management Demonstrable experience in developing tailored project budgets that align with funders' expectations Outstanding organisational ability with a talent for managing multiple priorities effectively Exceptional written and verbal communication skills that inspire action Proficiency with MS Office and CRM database systems The ability to travel within the UK regularly, and internationally on occasion Proven ability to approach partnerships with creativity and innovation, going beyond traditional fundraising proposals. Cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt to different cultural contexts.
Desirable skills and knowledge
Proven experience of fundraising for humanitarian action or international climate change causes Experience within an international NGO Working proficiency in a second language Experience using grant-making database research tools to identify opportunities Experience of developing log-frames and theory of change documents Experience of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plans
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Person specification
Qualities that set you apart
You’re an exceptional relationship builder – both within and outside the organisations you work in – and you lead with warmth, compassion and clarity You understand the importance of adapting to multiple cultural contexts, and are sensitive to different ways of working in different settings You're ambitious, innovative, and driven by meaningful results You are exceptionally well organised, able to manage a complex portfolio of responsibilities calmly and with excellent attention to detail You build trust through authentic relationship-building You thrive both independently and as part of a collaborative team You're open to new approaches and continuous learning You're passionate about making a difference, and connecting our most generous supporters to our mission You're motivated by the tangible impact our work has on children's lives
About SOS Children’s Villages
As a child, you need someone who sees you – who stands by you no matter what. Someone who holds you close when you are small and believes in you when you are ready to step into the world.
However, 1 in 10 children and young people around the world are at risk of growing up alone — separated from their families, neglected or forced to live in an abusive environment.
The effects of this often last a lifetime, creating a harmful cycle that repeats from one generation to the next. Together, we are here to break this cycle and prevent it from happening in the first place.
We go beyond meeting the physical needs of each child, focusing on providing love and support. A positive and supportive childhood empowers children to develop the life skills and resilience they need to move confidently into adulthood. Because when a child or young person is safe, loved and respected, they can thrive. When they have healthy relationships, they can become their strongest selves. This is why we’re here. We see each child, no matter what the circumstances.
What we do
Our locally led operations support and empower children, young people and families:
Keeping families together: we support and strengthen families who are under pressure, helping them to stay together. Caring for children: we provide quality, alternative care according to each child’s unique needs. Youth employability and education: through training and developing skills, we help young people to prepare for their future and find employment or set up businesses. Protecting children in emergencies: we support children and families in crisis situations, helping with their physical and psychological needs.
SOS Children’s Villages’ values are at the heart of everything we do:
Courage: We take action Commitment: We keep promises Trust: We believe in each other Accountability: We are reliable partners
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We currently offer the following benefits:
Holidays
Annual leave: 25 days entitlement, plus 8 paid bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
Paid Christmas closure: 3 non-bank holiday working days during the office closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are treated as additional paid time off.
Extra Days: Additional holidays are added after two full calendar years’ service, one day for every two years’ service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days after 10 years’ service (pro rata for part-time employees)
Sabbatical: 4 consecutive weeks paid sabbatical leave possible after a minimum of 5 complete years of service.
Pension Scheme Membership
This is a contributory scheme, into which the Charity will match your contribution up to a maximum of 5% of your basic salary. Enrolment is automatic after 3-months employment for eligible employees, and early opt-in is possible.
Health and wellness
Contractual sick pay
Employee Assistance Programme access comprised of wellbeing resources, online advice chat features, a telephone helpline, and short-term counselling sessions, savings and discounts.
Trained Mental Health First-Aider in the team
Life Assurance Cover after 3-months employment, with beneficiary selection.
Flu vaccination vouchers annually.
Paid eye tests
Benefits of Working with SOS Children’s Villages UK
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Flexible Working Policy
Every member of staff, regardless of contract length or current working pattern, can complete a flexible working application.
Charity days
Paid charity volunteer days (maximum of 2 days per annum pro rata) if you volunteer for another charity.
Maternity arrangements
Employees employed for at least 26 weeks, ending with the Qualifying Week (QW), the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth (EWC), will be entitled to receive enhanced maternity pay of 3 months full pay (Weeks 1 – 12), followed by 3 months half pay (Weeks 13 – 24).
Travel help
Travel loan for season travel tickets repayable through monthly salaries, subject to approval.
Cycle to Work Scheme available.
Training and development
Support may be offered towards professional or vocational qualifications/training that enhances capability within the Charity. Subject to approval.
Image above: A group of women in India chat in a Self-Help Group meeting, Bhopal. Maisie Marshall10
Commitment to inclusion and safeguarding
SOS Children’s Villages UK is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and eliminating unlawful discrimination within all employment practices within our organisation. Discrimination and harassment of any kind based on any protected characteristic is prohibited, and recruitment decisions are based on relevant experience, qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.
We are committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults with whom SOS Children’s Villages UK engages, by preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct and undertake the appropriate level of training to ensure that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation. Pre-employment checks
Upon offers of employment, the following are required as part of our safer recruitment policy prior to confirming employment:
Proof of the right to work in the UK, and on the contracted terms specified for this role. Receipt of satisfactory professional references and appropriate screening checks from previous employers. Self-declaration & Disclosure form completion regarding previous any relevant cautions, or convictions or investigations, or sanctions A Standard level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Read and sign copies of our Code of Conduct Regulation, Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy, and Sexual Misconduct Regulation (PSHEA), and Anti-Corruption Regulation.
Please note: SOS Children’s Villages UK is a proud participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS). In line with this scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers (covering the last five years) about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or such incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying for a role with us, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
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How to apply
Ready to join our team?
Please email a copy of your CV, and covering letter of no more than 2 A4 pages that explains how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Title your documents "[your name] cover letter" and "your name] CV" and send to Jess Price, Head of Programme Funding at. Please note that CVs submitted without a cover letter and applications from candidates without the right to work in the UK will not be considered. The deadline for applications is Friday 27 June at 17.00 UK time. th
Interviews will be conducted by online video call (via Microsoft Teams) in the w/c 7 July. th
We're excited to hear from you!
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