Prospect Research Officer

We are looking for a motivated self-starter, able to skilfully  research new avenues for philanthropic growth and pipeline development. This role will sit within the Major Partnerships Team at Friends of the Earth, and will play an important role in helping the team meet their ambitious income targets.

This is a permanent role, working 30 hours (or four days) across our Major Partnerships Team.

As the climate emergency accelerates, Friends of the Earth knows that it must  must campaign more fiercely than ever to protect both people and planet. As a global, grassroots organisation, we have a network of over 250 climate action groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland alone, with each seeking to ensure that bold decisions are taken at the local and national levels.

We have a strong track record of working at the intersection of environmental and social justice, setting us apart from other organisations and giving us an opportunity to bring together groups campaigning across the movement.

Most recently, for example, we have joined other campaigning groups and charities across the sector, to support the Warm This Winter campaign; lobbying for the Government to lower energy bills and turn its attention to cheaper, renewable energy.

This wide network provides fertile ground to build important partnerships, whilst our expertise in supporting local campaigns enables us to deliver real, political leverage.

To move forward with our plans, and to ensure that Friends of the Earth can continue to expand upon its influence, we are looking to significantly grow our income streams. To do this, we are seeking a talented Prospect Research Officer able to identify valuable funding opportunities across Trust and Foundation fundraising, Corporate giving and amongst High Networth Individuals (including our own existing supporters).  

Alongside this, the Prospect Research Officer will further embed our prospect research processes; helping colleagues across the team to identify and manage donor pipelines. You will also help to inform decisions on the prioritisation and make-up of donor portfolios and input into strategies for approaches.

Solid experience of carrying out prospect research, developing and implementing a successful prospect research programme is essential. You will also need to demonstrate the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.

For more information, please refer to the Job Description.

Closing date: Wednesday 9th November 2022 (23.59)

Location: Flexible across England, Wales and Northern Ireland . Must have access to (at least) one of our offices in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, London and Manchester

Starting salary:  Regional £32,031.43- £33,745.71, London £34,887.43- £36,601.71 based on 30 hours (FTE salary Regional £37,370 - £39,370, London £40,702 - £42,702 per annum)

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and a vibrant organisational culture. 

We are currently undergoing a consultation on the proposal of introducing a 4-day working week, which is likely to be implemented within the next few months.

Our staff body is currently under-representative of People of Colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people with long term conditions or impairments: We are committed to eroding these historic barriers, so as to create a movement in which people from all walks of life see themselves in, and so we particularly encourage you to apply if you belong to one of these groups or sit at multiple intersections of disadvantage. We are committed to the Disability Confident standard and will guarantee an interview to any candidates who declare a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Friends of the Earth staff are not permitted to hold office for political parties or stand as candidates for political parties. Staff should also seek permission from the Senior Management Team if they wish to hold a non-public facing official role in a political party. If this is an issue, please do raise this with us as soon as possible.

Friends of the Earth is an international community dedicated to protecting the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We lead campaigns, provide resources and information, and drive real solutions to the environmental problems facing us all.