Grants Fundraising Officer

Job Title: Grants Fundraising Officer
Charity: SolarAid
Salary Range: £31,416 - £34,839
Location:Remote based with expected travel to London 6 times per year

Deadline for applications: 28 July

About SolarAid

SolarAid is an international charity on a mission to light up every home, school and clinic in Africa by 2030 using clean, safe solar power.

There are still 600 million people living without energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. When the sun goes down, families are forced to rely on dangerous, polluting and expensive forms of lighting in their homes such as kerosene lamps, candles and straw fires.

Since 2006, we've reached over 12 million people in sub-Saharan Africa with affordable solar lights. But we know that's not enough - because many families in these communities are still unable to afford even the most basic solar product.

That's why we're changing how we work. In Malawi and Zambia, we're testing bold new approaches to make sure every household in a community - not just some - has access to clean energy. At the same time, we're teaming up with others to fix the bigger, system-wide challenges that keep people in the dark.

It's an exciting time to join SolarAid. The sector is looking to us as thought leaders in last-mile energy access - and we need passionate fundraisers to help us bring this story to life. In this role, you'll help connect grant funders to our most innovative programmes and show them how
their support can help bring energy access, and lasting change, to communities across Africa.

About the role

SolarAid is now looking for an experienced grant fundraiser to sustain and strengthen our ability to attract funding for our programme of work.

Our income from grants is rapidly growing as trusts, foundations and institutional funders become increasingly interested and engaged in our portfolio of strategic programmes, which provide sustained and affordable access to energy in remote communities that otherwise have no access to electricity.

Our grant income more than doubled in 2024, and for the coming year we are seeking to continue growth by receiving £2.5 million in grants from a range of funders.

This role will oversee a portfolio of grant funders that give up to £100k/year, maintaining existing relationships by providing timely reports and developing relevant proposals for future support. You would be expected to seek and research new funding prospects to approach, as well as respond to new enquiries. This group of funders is currently expected to provide around £500,000 per year.

In addition, you would be expected to support our bids to larger more complex funders, led by the Programme Funding Manager, collaborating closely with colleagues across Finance and relevant programme teams to put forward successful proposals.

Finally you will be managing the process and systems to maintain donations from small grant funders.

Role Responsibilities

Programme-specific fundraising and bid writing - 50%

• Oversee our funding from Trusts and Foundations that currently provide approximately £500,000 a year.
• Working, with the Programme Funding Manager, determine the engagement strategy for each funder to increase likelihood of success.
• Accurately forecast income based on an assessment of the likelihood of funding for each opportunity.
• Update the pipeline for funding opportunities you are responsible for and ensure staff allocated to opportunities do so.
• Produce proposals in line with programme plans and budgets, working with programme teams in Malawi and Zambia to ensure alignment.
• Develop proposals that can be used to attract mission-funding from small grant funders.
• Produce and submit timely reports to funders that cultivate positive relationships.
• Engage with relevant staff from programme and finance teams to obtain information required for grant reporting.
• Support the Programme Funding Manager in reporting on grants from institutions, multi and bi-lateral funders.

Prospect Research 10%

• Research prospective funders from relevant sources to increase the pipeline of prospects.
• A proven track record of successfully applying to funders, trusts, foundations, and institutions for grants.
• Writing proposals to funders.
• Working with other functions essential to successful grant management.
• Knowledge of fundraising laws and regulations in relation to data protection and compliance.
• Understanding of international development and climate change issues.
• Coordinating complex bid applications to funders.
• Knowledge and work experience with bilateral and multilateral funders.
• Knowledge and work experience with off-grid energy access.
• Using a CRM database to log approaches to funders.
• Able to work overseas for short periods of time, if required.
• Experience of working with Canva.

For a copy of the full job pack, including the full person specifications, terms of employment and details on how to apply please contact us via the form on this page.

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