Fundraising Assistant

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease using their amazing sense of smell. We provide life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborate with other researchers, NHS Trusts and Universities internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease with Bio detection Dogs.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join the Fundraising team at our  world-leading, innovative charity.

JOB TITLE:                        Fundraising Assistant

REPORTS TO:                   Individual Giving Manager

LOCATION:                        Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0NP (Office-Based)

SALARY BAND:                 £24,000 p/a

JOB TYPE:                         37.5 hours (9am – 5pm), full time with some evening and weekend work as required

The JOB:

Fundraising is vital to our ability to train life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and further our Bio Detection research and we rely on the generosity of our donors and supporters.

This role will provide support to the Fundraising Team, helping to maximise income in order to fund the charity’s work throughout the UK.

MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB:

To provide first line support to the Fundraising Team across a wide range of projects and activities. You will be the first point of contact for all fundraising enquiries, you will play an essential role in making supporters feel welcomed and valued, ensuring their interaction with the charity results in a positive experience every time.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive individual with excellent organisational skills looking to gain experience in a growing, motivational and ambitious Fundraising Team.

Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship & Communications

• Ensure timely and personalised acknowledgements (thank you letters and certificates) are sent to donors.
• Review and improve the thank and stewardship programme to enhance donor satisfaction and retention, sharing best practice across the team.

Supporter Engagement & Enquiries

• Co-ordinate incoming fundraising enquiries and fulfil or allocate them to the appropriate team members, ensuring prompt and professional responses and exceptional customer service.
• Provide direct responses to supporter enquiries where appropriate, maintaining a high standard of communication and service.
• Represent and promote the charity at internal and external events, acting as an ambassador to engage new and existing supporters.

Data & Administration

• Assist with all administrative tasks that support fundraising activities.
• Accurately record all supporter interactions and correspondence on the Harlequin CRM database, in line with data protection regulations.

Regular Giving Programme

• Support fulfilment and progress updates related to the Sponsor a Puppy programme.
• Review and improve the current Sponsor a Puppy programme.

Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager required to ensure the successful running of the charity.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS

Essential

• Well-organised, good attention to detail and proactive
• Experience of planning, organising and delivering events
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Enthusiastic and able to inspire people who want to raise funds for the charity
• A good level of competency is required in MS Office packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Desirable

• Experience of fundraising or working for a charity
• Prior experience of using CRM systems
• An understanding of the legal obligations of Charity Law and regulation

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Other Requirements

• A full current driving license
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• You will be required to have a criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure & Barring (DBS) when you first join the charity and at regular intervals thereafter.
• Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Values & Behaviours

Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.

Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:

• We are respectful.
• We stay positive.
• We strive for excellence.
• We communicate and listen.
• We are ambassadors.
• We are one team.

And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.

Benefits

• Sick Pay
• Health Cover
• 26 days holiday, increasing with service
• 5% Employer Pension Contribution
• Free On-site parking
• Life Insurance      

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK.
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and week