Application Guide
How to Apply for Fundraising and Communications Officer
at Friends Of Ibba Girls School
๐ข About Friends Of Ibba Girls School
Friends of Ibba Girls School is a unique UK charity that directly supports a girls' boarding school in South Sudan, where most girls leave school before completing primary education. Working here means contributing to tangible, life-changing impact for over 320 girls in a challenging context, as part of a small, mission-driven team with a strong national reputation.
About This Role
This part-time remote role is central to FIGS' mission, involving the implementation of fundraising and communications strategies to help raise approximately ยฃ500,000 annually. You'll handle varied tasks from donor outreach and campaign management to content creation and administrative support, directly enabling the school's operations and development.
๐ก A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with checking donor emails and updating fundraising records, then drafting a social media post about a student's story for an upcoming campaign. In the afternoon, you could research grant opportunities, coordinate with Windle Trust on a report, and end by planning next steps for a community fundraising event.
๐ Application Tools
๐ฏ Who Friends Of Ibba Girls School Is Looking For
- Has proven experience in charity fundraising, particularly with individual donors, trusts, or community fundraising, and can point to specific campaigns or results.
- Is a proactive self-starter who thrives in a small team remote environment, capable of managing multiple priorities like grant applications, social media, and donor reports simultaneously.
- Demonstrates strong written communication skills for crafting compelling stories about the school's impact for different audiences (donors, supporters, the public).
- Shows genuine interest or experience in international development, girls' education, or the South Sudan context, aligning with FIGS' mission.
๐ Tips for Applying to Friends Of Ibba Girls School
Explicitly mention your experience with fundraising in the charity sector, especially if you've worked on campaigns raising similar amounts (ยฃ500k range) or for education/girls' empowerment causes.
Highlight any remote work experience and how you stay organized and proactive without direct supervision, as FIGS is a small, remote team.
Tailor your resume to show how you've handled 'multiple demands'โuse specific examples of juggling tasks like donor communications, event planning, and administrative duties.
Research and reference FIGS' specific impact (e.g., 320 girls educated, partnership with Windle Trust) to show you understand their unique model and challenges.
If you have experience with UK charity regulations or fundraising platforms common in the UK (e.g., JustGiving), mention it, as FIGS is UK-based.
โ๏ธ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why you're passionate about girls' education in South Sudan specifically, linking it to FIGS' mission and impact.", "Provide a concrete example of a successful fundraising or communications campaign you've managed, highlighting results like funds raised or engagement metrics.", 'Describe how you thrive in a varied, part-time remote role, emphasizing your organizational skills and ability to handle administrative tasks alongside creative work.', 'Mention your readiness to learn and take on additional responsibilities, as FIGS is a small team where flexibility is key.']
Generate Cover Letter โ๐ Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- โ Explore FIGS' website and social media to understand their current fundraising campaigns, tone, and key messaging about the school's impact.
- โ Learn about the challenges of girls' education in South Sudan, including dropout rates and barriers, to contextualize FIGS' work.
- โ Research Windle Trust International to understand FIGS' partnership and how it supports the school technically and financially.
- โ Look into UK charity fundraising trends or regulations, as FIGS is a UK-based charity operating remotely.
๐ฌ Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention FIGS, South Sudan, or girls' educationโthis shows lack of genuine interest in the mission.
- Overemphasizing corporate or for-profit experience without connecting it to charity fundraising or communications needs.
- Failing to address the part-time, remote nature of the role or how you'll manage varied responsibilities in a small team setting.
๐ Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Friends Of Ibba Girls School!