Partnerships & Fundraising Lead

About the role

Life In Abundance UK (LIA-UK) is a Christian international development charity working alongside local churches and communities across Africa and the Caribbean to help people move from poverty towards lasting flourishing.

We are seeking an experienced and enterprising Partnerships & Fundraising Lead to strengthen our income generation, develop strategic partnerships and build lasting relationships with funders and supporters.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the successful candidate will take substantial responsibility for:

- Researching trusts, foundations and other funding opportunities.
- Developing compelling grant applications, funding proposals and cases for support.
- Building relationships with churches, Christian organisations, philanthropists, major donors and businesses.
- Cultivating new funding partnerships and maintaining existing supporter relationships.
- Managing fundraising prospects and opportunities through Virtuous CRM.
- Maintaining a strong fundraising pipeline, monitoring progress and producing reports.
- Working with international colleagues to communicate programme impact and funding needs.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum, depending on experience.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week.
Contract: Initial 12-month fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
Location: Home-based anywhere in the UK, with occasional UK travel and support for international visits and mission trips.
Reporting to: Executive Director.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

https://lifeinabundance.org.uk/careers/partnerships-fundraising-lead/

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your current CV and a covering letter of no more than one page to infouk@lifeinabundance.org.

Email subject: Application – Partnerships & Fundraising Lead

Your covering letter should explain why the role interests you, how your fundraising and relationship-building experience will enable you to contribute, and what you can bring to LIA-UK's future growth.

CLOSING DATE

Monday 30 November 2026 at 12:00 noon (UK time).

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the second week of December 2026.

Preparing your application

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are seeking an accomplished fundraiser with a demonstrable record of delivery.

Around five years of relevant fundraising, partnership-development or income-generation experience is desirable, but this is a guide rather than an absolute requirement. Candidates with fewer years of experience who can demonstrate strong achievements are encouraged to apply.

EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

- A successful track record in fundraising, income generation or partnership development.
- Experience securing income from trusts and foundations.
- Excellent grant-writing, proposal-development and prospect-research skills.
- Experience identifying, qualifying, cultivating and progressing funding opportunities.
- Experience developing relationships with donors, philanthropists, churches, businesses and strategic partners.
- Ability to cultivate new prospects and build sustainable fundraising pipelines.
- Strong networking, influencing, stakeholder-management and donor-stewardship skills.
- Experience using CRM systems to manage fundraising activity and relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple opportunities and deadlines independently.
- Sound professional judgement, attention to detail and discretion.
- Competence in Microsoft Office 365 and confidence learning Virtuous CRM.
- Understanding of ethical fundraising practice and appropriate data management.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

- Commitment to LIA-UK's Christian mission and values.
- Passion for holistic mission, locally led development and transformation through local churches.
- Self-motivated, enterprising and proactive in identifying opportunities.
- Professional, trustworthy, collaborative and resilient.
- Able to work independently from home and effectively with international colleagues.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

- Experience in Christian charities, churches or mission organisations.
- Established networks within philanthropy, trusts, churches or fundraising.
- Experience using Virtuous CRM.
- Detailed knowledge of UK trusts and foundations.
- Experience securing substantial or multi-year grants.
- Experience cultivating major donors or corporate partnerships.
- Understanding of international development and locally led community transformation.
- Knowledge of Gift Aid, UK fundraising regulation and data protection.
- Experience representing organisations at conferences or stakeholder meetings.

OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT

LIA-UK considers being a practising Christian an occupational requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, having regard to the nature and context of the role.

Life In Abundance UK welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates and is committed to an inclusive, supportive and respectful working environment.