EXPERIENCED FUNDRAISER NEEDED
We are looking for an experienced fundraiser who would like an ‘in-country’ experience raising money for a consortium of NGOs in south India on a voluntary basis.
Background
VST’s objective has always been to keep the UK organisation small while growing the work in India. Originally VST partnered several local NGOs and supported the projects they implemented. In 2000, it facilitated the establishment of an organisation to give local support to the partners and their projects with the long term aim of making it self-sufficient. In many respects this has been a great success but the Development Action Consortium Trust or DACT, VST’s partner, has failed to make any progress with fundraising. This ultimately threatens any chance it has of being truly sustainable.
Purpose of the role
The volunteer fundraiser has two objectives:
1. To raise funds for projects usually supported by VST’s international fundraising
2. To build the capacity of VST’s India partner by training a local staff member
Tasks
• To raise money within and outside India from any appropriate source
• To meet donors’ reporting requirements
• To prepare reports for VST’s donors
• To train a local staff member so that s/he is ready to take over fundraising role by end of placement
• To write a blog for VST website
• Any other task as required
Experience/knowledge/skills/character traits required:
Essential
- Solid experience of applying to statutory and other ‘big’ funders; trusts/foundations and embassies.
- Good knowledge of donor reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of development issues in India.
- Good people skills
- People management
- Self-sufficiency; tenacity; flexibility; enthusiasm
Desirable
- Experience of fundraising for:
Women’s rights
Minority issues
HIV and Aids
- Experience of working and living in a developing country, preferably in South Asia.
Allowance and other financial information
Remuneration - £200 a month, roughly Rs.14,000, out of which the volunteer will need to pay Rs.4,500 for rent and Rs.3,000-4,000 for food. VST will pay monthly to a UK bank account. (Tax is payable as usual unless the volunteer is away for the whole of the tax year when for tax purposes s/he becomes not ‘usually resident in the UK’.)
Flights – return flights will be paid for by VST
Insurance - medical and travel insurance cover for the duration of the volunteer’s placement will be paid for by VST
Visa – will be arranged and paid for by VST
Food and accommodation
Food options are: meals produced by host NGO cook; local restaurants; own cooking. Host NGO accommodation is adequate but not luxurious.
Support
The volunteer will be managed and supported by the Development Action Consortium Trust (DACT) Manager.
Length of placement
Minimum one year but ideally two.
Holiday allowance
Four weeks per year, maximum of two weeks in first 6 months.
Workplace
DACT office in Theni. There may be times when the volunteer works at the office of one of DACT’s partner NGOs.
OTHER VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
If you would like to volunteer to help VST please get in touch. If you live within easy reach of St Neots in Cambridgeshire then it is possible to help out in the VST office. People living further away may also be able to help by working from home.
Volunteering for VST can be rewarding. Meeting and volunteering alongside like people with similar interests can be sociable and it can also be a chance to learn about India an overseas development issues. The skills and knowledge learned can even enhance a CV for those wanting to develop a career in this field. Whatever the motivation or ambition VST will be pleased to discuss the areas of volunteering that would suit you most.
- Administration volunteers help out with the day to day running of VST. This includes dealing with correspondence, enquiries, processing donations and can help with the production and mailing out of VST newsletters and annual report.
- Fundraising volunteers help out with keeping the supporter database up to date, researching potential grant funders using the internet, and helping in the production of updated and new fundraising materials such as posters and fundraising packs.
There are opportunities to volunteer with our partners in India for people with specific skills. For more details, please contact us.