Head of Funding & Programme Development
Role Summary
Join Saferworld as the Head of Funding and Programme Development to shape the organization's funding strategy and drive sustainable resources for peace initiatives.
About the Organisation
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working in partnership with civil society to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work in solidarity with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and we build conditions for peace and justice. We also support with analysis and learning to influence local, national and international policies and practices that help foster lasting peace and justice. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives free from fear and insecurity. We operate on a not-for-profit basis with partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with nine offices across those regions and offices in the UK, USA and Belgium.
We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Head of Funding and Programme Development with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and mobilise resources in a values‑driven environment. This role calls for a leader who is deeply committed to equitable partnerships with communities and organisations in conflict‑affected settings, guiding teams to raise resources effectively while advancing peace and justice outcomes. Grounded in a people‑centred vision of change, you will foster collaboration, champion locally-led approaches, and steer efforts toward resourcing sustainable, community‑driven, and collective visions of peace.
- As part of the senior leadership, support a vision for change that is rooted in the voices of people living in conflict and is clear about Saferworld’s role as a peacebuilding organisation in an evolving world.
- Monitor funding trends and identify new and emerging issues of relevance to Saferworld’s work and partnership approaches, and develop collaborative appropriate strategies to address them.
- Play an active role as a senior leader in the organisation, supporting organisation-wide initiatives and role modelling behaviours and approaches aligned to organisational culture and values.
- Influence and inform organisational problem-solving and decision-making, and provide routine strategic risk analysis and management solutions
- In close collaboration with the Senior Operational Team (SOT), ensure funding plans are developed across business units and thematic/regional areas, and appropriate income pipelines attained while quality assurance and active cost recovery are proactively pursued.
- Work closely with the SOT to fully engage them to drive forward fundraising efforts and provide regular reporting for SOT and the Board on fundraising performance.
- Oversee the organisation’s funding and prospects pipeline and produce regular data and analysis to aid key decision-making.
- Represent Saferworld externally with key donors, partners and networks to build strategic relationships and funding opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
The Head of Funding and Programme Development will be responsible for actively shaping Saferworld’s income profile and driving sustainable resources in alignment with our organisational strategy and change process. The person will seek to refine the flexibility and diversity of sources of income to resource Saferworld’s ambitious peacebuilding objectives and its commitment to strongly centering partners in what we do and how we do it. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of Saferworld’s funding strategy, in line with Saferworld’s strategic, programmatic, and operational priorities, aiming to diversify and strengthen the quality of our funding base and diversity of donors, nurturing relationships with strategic institutional donors and growing our philanthropic funding.
This position will suit a candidate ready to embrace our values and collective vision, able to accelerate new income streams and help secure greater quality funding. It is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic role in the shaping of the fundraising and resource mobilisation approach taken by Saferworld.
Minimum Requirements
- Proven leadership experience at senior management level in the funding space, with a track record in developing and implementing funding strategies raising income through a range of donors from individuals to institutions to trusts and foundations, achieving high value contracts and grants of seven figures.
- Strong experience leading complex participatory programme design, including developing complex budgets and monitoring frameworks, and writing proposals.
- Experience of coordinating programme development processes with multiple teams and partners to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.
- Proven track record of successfully motivating, mentoring and managing a team and working with that team to think laterally and explore contemporary approaches to fundraising in multiple areas.
- A track record in confidently developing networks, building alliances and nurturing ideas and relationships with individuals, new collaborators and funders – including avenues for income generation
- Strong understanding of key political, development and humanitarian trends and debates, particularly linked to peacebuilding, development, human rights, governance, and security and justice.
- A sound knowledge of the UK’s civil society/charity regulatory requirements and an understanding of the current international aid, peacebuilding and human rights funding environment.
- Experience of working and/or living in conflict-affected contexts (desirable).
- Understanding of peacebuilding and conflict prevention (desirable).
Eligibility Criteria
This role is open to candidates who can operate under UK employment conditions, although the specific eligibility for international or African applicants is not mentioned.
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