Description

 Location   Edinburgh, UK

Position Status  Full-time, Temporary parental leave Cover 

Duration:                     Fixed Term up 9 months up to 12 months 

Closing date: Submit application by September 7

Risk Level: ☐ Level 3       XLevel 2 ☐Level 1 

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.  

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data) 

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In conflict, 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 POSITION

The Fundraising Team at Mercy Corps leads efforts to secure restricted and unrestricted funding while strengthening our relationship with supporters and enhancing our global brand. The Fundraising Operations function provides the systems, processes, data and financial support that enable effective and compliant fundraising.

As Fundraising Operations Officer, you will provide essential operational support across gift processing, donor database management, financial reconciliation, data selections, reporting and campaign analysis. You will be responsible for delivering accurate and timely operational processes, maintaining high-quality donor data, and providing analysis and information to support fundraising activity and decision-making.

The role requires a highly organised and detail-oriented individual who is confident working with data, systems and financial information. You will be expected to manage your own workload, identify and resolve issues, contribute to improvements in processes and systems, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation.

Experience working with a fundraising CRM or relational database, financial processing and data analysis is desirable. Experience in the charity sector and with Raiser’s Edge is advantageous but not essential.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Database Management

• Maintain accurate and complete donor and fundraising data within Raiser’s Edge and other relevant systems.
• Process data imports and updates from internal and external sources, ensuring data is accurate and meets agreed requirements.
• Carry out routine database checks and diagnostics, identifying and resolving data quality issues.
• Support colleagues with day-to-day use of fundraising systems and provide guidance on agreed processes and procedures.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of database processes, procedures and documentation.

Gift Processing

·          Process donations and related transactions accurately and within agreed timescales.

·          Support the recording and reconciliation of fundraising income received through different payment channels.

·          Process donor refunds, cancellations, amendments and other gift-related transactions as required.

·          Support gift processing and acknowledgement activity during busy periods or in the absence of colleagues.

·          Ensure gift processing procedures are followed consistently and accurately.

Finance and Reporting

·          Reconcile fundraising income and investigate discrepancies between fundraising systems and financial records.

·          Work with Finance colleagues to support the accurate and timely reconciliation of monthly fundraising income.

·          Support the preparation and submission of Gift Aid claims, including identifying and resolving exceptions or errors.

·          Support the development and maintenance of reporting dashboards and standard reports within Raiser’s Edge NXT and other systems.

·          Provide accurate data and analysis to support fundraising planning and decision-making.

Data Selections and Campaign Analysis

·          Prepare and run accurate, targeted data selections for fundraising and supporter communications, including direct mail, email and other campaigns.

·          Translate selection requirements into clear data selection briefs and identify any data issues or limitations.

·          Prepare, clean and validate data for use in fundraising campaigns and mass communications.

·          Support colleagues with data and analysis required for campaign planning and evaluation, measuring results against agreed KPIs and identifying relevant trends, insights and areas for further investigation.

Supporter Engagement

·          Respond to supporter enquiries received by phone, email and post, ensuring queries are handled accurately and promptly.

·          Process supporter requests and updates in accordance with agreed procedures.

·          Maintain accurate records of supporter interactions and communication preferences.

·          Contribute to a positive and consistent supporter experience across fundraising channels.

Compliance and Best Practice

·          Apply relevant data protection, Gift Aid and fundraising regulations and organisational policies to day-to-day activities.

·          Maintain appropriate records and documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.

·          Identify and escalate potential compliance, data quality or financial risks to the Fundraising Operations Manager.

·          Contribute to the review and improvement of operational procedures and controls.

·          Keep up to date with relevant changes to legislation, regulation and best practice

Process and Systems Improvements

·          Participate in the development and implementation of fundraising operations policies, procedures and systems.

·          Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, data quality and the supporter experience.

·          Support testing and implementation of system changes and new processes.

·          Document processes clearly and contribute to maintaining up-to-date operational guidance.

·          Participate in relevant fundraising operations projects and provide analytical or administrative support as required.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program 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 country projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Reports To: Fundraising Operations Manager

Works closely with: Members of the global Fundraising Operations Team, the wider Fundraising Team in Europe, the Corporate Finance colleagues, and colleagues across the global organisation.

The role works closely with U.S.-based colleagues on a daily basis as part of the global fundraising operations function, collaborating across teams and time zones to deliver shared processes, systems and fundraising activity.

The postholder is expected to manage their own workload and day-to-day responsibilities, seeking guidance from the Fundraising Operations Manager on complex issues, competing priorities or matters requiring escalation.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience working in an operational, administrative, fundraising, finance, data or similar role.
• Experience working with a CRM or relational database and managing substantial volumes of data.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to processing and checking information.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, with the ability to manipulate, analyse and present data.
• Experience producing reports and summarising data to identify trends, anomalies or areas requiring further investigation.
• Experience working with financial information, reconciliation or transaction processing.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies, identify problems and take appropriate action to resolve them.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work to deadlines and maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain information clearly to colleagues.
• Understanding of the importance of data protection, confidentiality and data quality.

Desirable

• Experience working within a fundraising or charity environment.
• Experience using Raiser’s Edge NXT or another fundraising CRM.
• Experience processing charitable donations and/or Gift Aid claims.
• Experience preparing data selections for direct marketing campaigns.
• Experience cleaning, manipulating and preparing data for mass communications.
• Experience producing fundraising campaign performance reports and KPIs.
• Familiarity with UK data protection, Gift Aid and fundraising regulations.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will:

·          Take ownership of their responsibilities and work independently within agreed processes and priorities.

·          Be highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

·          Have a logical and analytical approach, with strong attention to detail.

·          Be confident working with data and able to identify, investigate and resolve discrepancies or problems.

·          Be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and data quality.

·          Communicate clearly and confidently with colleagues, including when explaining data, processes or issues.

·          Be adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.

·          Demonstrate good judgement about when to resolve an issue independently and when to seek advice or escalate it.

·          Build effective working relationships with colleagues across teams and geographies.

·          Maintain a high level of accuracy and professionalism when working to tight deadlines.

·          Demonstrate an interest in and empathy for international development and humanitarian issues, aligning with Mercy Corps’ mission and values.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is ideally based in Edinburgh, UK, where the Mercy Corps Europe head office is located.  However, consideration will be given to candidates seeking a fully remote position within the UK.  This role may involve occasional travel within the UK, as required.

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]).