Jobs at UNESCO in United Kingdom

ABOUT US

Exeter UNESCO City of Literature (ExCoL) is seeking a fundraising consultant. You will be responsible for identifying multi-year grants and submitting applications. Depending on your experience and capacity, you may also be working with the Executive Director to identify and secure potential corporate sponsors.

ExCoL is a registered charity and Arts Council NPO that stewards Exeter’s UNESCO designation on behalf of the city and supports literary activity locally and globally. We believe in the power of words to imagine new possibilities for this world, and our vision is for everyone to love stories and storytelling.

Exeter is one of 53 Cities of Literature around the world. The UNESCO title celebrates Devon’s rich heritage linked to some of the country’s most famous writers, including Agatha Christie, Michael Morpurgo, and Hilary Mantel. Exeter Cathedral houses the Exeter Book, a 10th-century anthology recognized by UNESCO as ‘one of the world’s principal cultural artefacts.’

The UNESCO designation means we can bring more skills, events, and opportunities to Exeter and Devon through an international network and close working relationships with the cultural sector regionally and nationally. The foundations of our work are rooted in place-shaping, well-being, and talent development, and we have pioneered innovative programmes and initiatives in these areas. For example, ExCoL conceived of the world-famous Penguin Book Vending Machine, developed an accredited bibliotherapy skills course at Exeter College, and established the Partnership Network to bring together the cultural sector each month.

ExCoL is a small team with big ambitions, and an essential part of our future growth is the recruitment of a Fundraising Consultant.

THE ROLE

Role: Fundraising Consultant

Fee: Please include your fee requirements in your cover letter.

Contract: 1-year contract (we can be flexible on this for the right candidate), approximately 1-3 days per week, depending on your availability and scope of work.

Location: Remote, with occasional travel to Exeter. Desk space is available at Exeter City of Literature office located at Exeter Phoenix.

Responsible to: Executive Director and the Chair of the Finance & Fundraising Committee

Application deadline: 5pm on Monday March 24^th

Interviews: w/c March 31^st

ROLE SUMMARY

The Fundraising Consultant will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of ExCoL’s charitable work by:

1. Identifying and approaching trusts & foundations, and depending on capacity/experience, corporate sponsors.
2. Developing relationships with the above.
3. Conducting research and writing high-quality funding proposals to trusts and foundations in line with their requirements.
4. Preparing budgets for proposals.
5. Helping ExCoL develop its fundraising narrative to better engage potential funders and donors.
6. Updating our fundraising recordkeeping.
7. Presenting updates to the Board of Trustees.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Essential

1. Proficient in fundraising for charities with recent proven success in obtaining multi-year, six-figure grants from trusts and foundations.
2. Strong research and writing skills, and adept at building a compelling case for support for an arts charity.
3. Strong networks with trusts and foundations, and ideally within business as well.
4. Knowledge of the cultural sector and arts charities in England.
5. Proactive relationship-builder skilled at negotiating and using expertise to influence decisions.
6. Self-motivated with excellent time management.
7. Ability to work independently and with a small team.
8. Proficiency with Google Drive suite.

Desired

1. Experience with corporate fundraising/sponsorship.
2. Experience working and communicating with a Board of Trustees.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send your CV and one-page cover letter outlining your experience according to the criteria above and why you’re interested in this role to hello@exetercityofliterature.com by Monday March 24^th at 5pm.

Applications will be reviewed and Zoom or in-person interviews will take place the week of March 31^st.

Please contact hello@exetercityofliterature.com if you would like to arrange an informal conversation with our Executive Director and/or Fundraising Committee before applying.