Description

Location: Edinburgh, UK, hybrid (office presence required twice/week)

Position Status: Full-time, permanent

Salary: starting salary is £27,280 - commensurate on professional experience 

Closing  date: Please submit application by June 10 EOD. 

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 30 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

The Team

The Philanthropic Growth & Engagement team drives and supports Mercy Corps’ strategies for income generation, while also helping to grow Mercy Corps’ profile, influence and supporter engagement. Within this department, mass market fundraising focuses on strategically growing our supporter base and generating unrestricted income to further our global work.

The Position

Reporting to the Fundraising Operations and Engagement Manager, the Individual Giving Assistant plays an important role in supporter engagement and income generation through high-quality communications and the effective delivery of fundraising campaigns and appeals.

You will support the coordination and delivery of online and offline fundraising activity, helping to deliver engaging supporter journeys and positive donor experiences. This includes assisting with campaign planning and administration, coordinating content and creative assets, liaising with suppliers and agencies, and ensuring projects are delivered accurately, efficiently and on schedule, whilst meeting our brand guidelines and compliance standards.

During humanitarian emergencies, you will support the rapid development and delivery of reactive communications and digital content to engage supporters and share Mercy Corps’ response with audiences in a timely and compelling way.

We are looking for a proactive and organised individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills and a confident and professional telephone manner. The successful candidate will have strong attention to detail, a collaborative approach, and an interest in fundraising, print and digital communications and supporter engagement.

Essential Job Responsibilities

SUPPORTER ACQUISITION AND RETENTION

• Support the implementation of marketing activities designed to attract new supporters across a range of communication channels, including email, social media and direct mail
• Assist with supporter journeys for one-off donors, monthly donors and legacy pledgers
• Help ensure communications are accurate, timely, engaging and audience-focused

INCOME GENERATION

• Support the delivery of the individual giving strategy for offline and online supporters, including audience-segmented email and postal campaigns
• Assist in creating and updating content to support fundraising campaigns and audience engagement across mail, email, website and social channels
• Provide administration and coordination support for campaigns and appeals, helping to ensure activity is delivered on time and to a high standard

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate effectively with external partners, including agencies, fulfilment providers, and other suppliers, supporting the smooth delivery of campaigns and communications
• Maintain accurate supporter records, support reporting processes and help use data to inform fundraising activity
• Produce and edit basic digital content, including copy, graphics or simple video content using tools such as Canva
• Ensure brand guidelines are followed to maintain our tone of voice, visual identity, and messaging across all communications
• Work with the data team to help support data management, GDPR compliance and campaign list selections
• Work with colleagues in the US to support communication activity and campaign delivery
• Support the review and proofing of communications and campaign materials before distribution
• Understand the importance of accessibility and user experience in content and design
• Stay informed with emerging trends, tools and platforms and contribute ideas to improve fundraising performance and supporter experience
• Provide cover for the Development Operations Assistant during periods of absence
• Undertake any other task relevant to the job purpose, supporting the wider fundraising and engagement function as required

The successful candidate will be a proactive and collaborative team player with a strong interest in fundraising and supporter engagement, and enthusiasm for communicating Mercy Corps’ impact to supporters and wider audiences. 

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Fundraising Operations & Engagement Manager Europe

Works Directly With: Fundraising Operations team in the UK, Mass Marketing team in the US, and wider fundraising team members across Europe and global offices.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our programme participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

The ideal candidate for this role is someone who has:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, or 2+ years of administrative experience
• Experience or exposure in donor care, fundraising, or a customer service role
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with different audiences
• Good organisational, time management, and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Confidence working with data and systems to support reporting and campaign activity
• Experience using, or an interest in learning, digital communications platforms, email marketing tools, social media channels, and basic design tools (e.g. Canva)
• Experience using MS Excel, Word and Outlook

Success Factors

• Detail-oriented and methodical, ensuring accuracy and quality in all outputs
• Proactive and positive approach to learning and problem-solving
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
• Professional, reliable, collaborative team player, with the ability to build positive working relationships across teams in an international working environment
• Comfortable working flexibly, including attending early evening meetings with US colleagues and supporting time-sensitive or emergency fundraising when required
• Willingness to learn new systems, tools and ways of working
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities

Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Edinburgh, UK with the post holder expected to be in the office at least twice a week. There may be requirements for some very occasional travel.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all Mercy Corps locations.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision.  Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).