Philanthropy Coordinator Candidate Information Pack in partnership with Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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Letter from the Chief Executive
Thank you for your interest in I CAN and the role of Philanthropy Coordinator, an exciting and rewarding position within our organisation. This is an ideal time to join I CAN. In April 2017 we will launch our new Three Year Plan. Our Plan for the next three years, approved by the Board of Trustees in September 2016, is designed to double our reach to children and young people who have speech, language and communication difficulties. In doubling our reach, we will increase our ability to influence government and policy makers, ensuring that children’s language and communication skills are seen as a top priority, and that sufficient investment is made to support the hundreds of thousands of children that require support.
We seek a Philanthropy Coordinator who is committed to this cause and who will support our major gifts team. I sincerely hope that you choose to apply for this important position in our organisation. If you would like to discuss this position further, and the opportunities and challenges facing our organisation, please get in touch with Mairi Shirley at Execucare. With my best wishes
Bob Reitemeier CBE Chief Executive
Language is the fundamental life skill for all children. It is one of the most important predictors of children’s life chances: good language at age five is the single most important factor in helping children escape poverty. More than anything else, vocabulary at age five has the greatest influence on reading at age 11, and good communication skills are the most important employability skills needed for young people entering their first job. Despite the fact that 10% of all children in the UK have a long-term persistent speech, language and communication need, our nation does not yet recognise how important communication is for our children. That is why I CAN is determined to raise the profile of this issue, and lead the charge in securing more support for children with difficulties. Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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About the Charity I CAN know that language is the fundamental life skill, essential for all learning and for making friends. Children who can’t communicate will find life hard. They will struggle at school and may well end up isolated, without the social and emotional relationships they need to thrive. Worryingly, upwards of 50 per cent of children in disadvantaged areas arrive at school without the basic language skills they need for learning. I CAN works to provide solutions for this, and to make sure that they cover children and young people at every age and stage of development.
I CAN is the children’s communication charity. Its people are experts in helping children develop the speech, language and communication skills they need to thrive in a 21st century world. I CAN’s vision is a world where all children have the communication skills they need to fulfil their potential. I CAN’s mission is that no child should be left out or left behind because of a difficulty speaking or understanding.
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
I CAN supports children from 0-19 through its Talk programmes and specialist schools, and through resources and information for parents, families and people who work with children and young people. It works in nurseries and schools across the UK with evidence-based programmes and runs two special schools for children with the most severe and complex needs. I CAN shares its expertise and knowledge to increase awareness of communication difficulties and inform policy making. I CAN’s evidence-based programmes and training aim to provide practical help and support at every age and stage of a child or young person’s life. It works directly with the people who educate, care for, support and advise children and families. All its approaches are based on the best evidence available to ensure that children receive help that will get results. I CAN’s programmes are designed to help schools to meet Ofsted’s focus on developing and using pupils’ communication skills and to support settings and schools to narrow the gap between the lowest and highest attainment. Many of I CAN’s programmes and training use a cascade model. It has a network of expert Licensees across the UK, able to respond to local needs quickly and flexibly. For more information about I CAN, its work and values go to www.ican.org.uk.
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Language The fundamental life skill for all children Of all the human skills, early language development is by far the greatest predictor of life chances. It is the fundamental life skill. Unfortunately, too few people are aware of its critical importance and far too many children with language needs are not being supported. This amounts to a national scandal and I CAN’s Three Year Plan is designed to help change this. How important is language development? •
Good language at age five is the single most important factor in helping children escape poverty.
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More than anything else, vocabulary at five has the greatest influence on reading at age 11.
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Language at age two predicts reading, maths and writing when children start school.
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In 2015, 20% of children did not meet the expected level of communication and language at age five. This means six children in every class struggle with language. Good communication skills are the most important employability skills needed for young people entering their first job.
What happens when good language is not developed? •
Poor language development at age five means you are four times more likely to struggle with reading at age 11.
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50% to 90% of children with language difficulty have reading difficulties.
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31% of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) achieve the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Primary School, compared to 90% of other children.
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16% of children with SLCN receive five GCSEs graded A to C, compared to 64% of other children.
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Young people with communication difficulties are three times more likely to have mental health issues.
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60% to 90% of young offenders have poor communication skills.
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67% of children excluded from school have language difficulties.
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40% of children with language difficulties struggle to make friends.
This impact continues throughout a person’s life. A child with good language at five will have better literacy, mental health and employment at age 34. The impact of language difficulty on children’s lives can be devastating. I CAN and The Communication Trust (TCT) will not stop in ensuring no child is left out or left behind because of a difficulty speaking or understanding.
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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Background to the Appointment This is an exciting time to join I CAN. The new Chairman, Huw Davies, took over his role in September 2015 and the new Chief Executive, Bob Reitemeier, arrived in January 2016. Since that time, the charity has gone through a period of ambitious change. I CAN is at a crucial stage in its development, and the appointment of a new Director of Philanthropy will enable the charity to take a step-change by increasing its income to implement the new Three Year Plan (3YP), scheduled to begin in April 2017. The Trustees and Directors believe that this 3YP will help position I CAN and The Communication Trust, which it hosts, at the forefront of the speech, language and communication community. It will help I CAN reach out to more children, providing evidence of the difference it makes to their lives, and in doing so, influence government and policy makers to provide more support to more children with communication difficulties. The need is greater than ever. Of the 13,770,873 children in the UK, 10% or 1.38 million have a long-term persistent speech, language and communication need. Over one million children (7.58%) have a language disorder, and 1% or 138,000 children, have the most severe and complex needs.
For 128 years I CAN has supported children in difficulty and this 3YP is designed to build on the excellent work currently in place. Its two schools provide outstanding education and residential care; its interventions, programmes, workforce guidance, tool kits and What Works database is uniformly praised by sector professionals; I CAN Help is greatly appreciated by parents and practitioners; and its influencing work and management of The Communication Trust consortium regularly informs government policy. Central to this are effective communications, corporate services and fundraising – without which the organisation would not be able to make the difference it does. Nonetheless, I CAN desires to do more – to reach out to more children and to have greater influence. The increasing numbers of children with communication needs demands this, and I CAN is united in its desire to improve its ability to support more children and their families. The biggest change over the next three years will be a new regional approach to I CAN’s work: a Place Strategy. This is designed to work in partnership with local people and organisations in five chosen areas, resulting in improved speech, language and communication services in each area. All parts of I CAN will work together in the delivery of the Place Strategy, for it requires a coordinated effort to be successful. Linked to this is investment in a Schools Outreach Programme, designed to provide more support to children with language disorders.
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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Background to the Appointment The new Philanthropy Coordinator will help to implement this 3YP. The successful candidate will be committed and passionate about I CAN’s aims and, working within the Philanthropy team, will significantly improve the charity’s performance in raising funds from major donors. I CAN is currently recruiting a new Director of Philanthropy who will be on the selection panel for this post. The panel interviews for the Philanthropy Coordinator will take place during the week commencing 12th December. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and organised individual with at least one year of administrative fundraising experience to make a significant impact on a charity which transforms children and young people’s lives.
Philanthropy Team Structure Director of Philanthropy
TRUSTS & STATUTORY
Head of Trusts & Statutory Fundraising
Trusts & Statutory Manager
PHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy Manager
Trusts & Statutory Fundraiser
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
Philanthropy Coordinator
Corporate Partnerships Manager
Database Coordinator
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Job Description Job Purpose To provide comprehensive and effective administrative support to the Philanthropy Team including dealing with incoming supporter enquiries and donations ensuring all donors are thanked, acknowledged and their donations process in a timely, efficient and friendly manner. Key Responsibilities Specific responsibilities
General requirements
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Cover for colleagues during absence, as required.
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Attend I CAN’s fundraising events or other events as required.
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Understand I CAN’s charitable objectives and be committed to promoting these in all areas of work.
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Contribute to maintaining a culture of quality in all areas of fundraising.
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Provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.
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Ensure that all policies and procedures relating to the protection of children in I CAN’s services are followed at all times.
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Avoid any behaviour that discriminates against your fellow colleagues or potential employees.
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Safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to children, staff and I CAN’s work.
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Behave in a manner that ensures the security of I CAN property and resources.
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Be committed to the overall aims of I CAN.
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Abide by all relevant I CAN Policies and Procedures.
Provide administrative support to the Director of Philanthropy and the Philanthropy Team using appropriate software packages within set timescales and to a high standard of accuracy and presentation.
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Support the Corporate Partnership Manager and Philanthropy Manager with administrative activities.
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Deal appropriately with a range of enquiries from a variety of sources by e-mail, telephone or in person, prioritising the requests, on behalf of senior team members, and take any necessary follow up action and messages or re-direct as necessary. The enquiries may be sensitive and complex. Prepare and distribute responses without reference.
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Work in partnership with the Database Coordinator, dealing with supporter enquiries and donations. Ensure that queries are answered promptly and effectively. Ensure donations are processed, databases updated and the donor is thanked swiftly and appropriately. Respond quickly and efficiently to supporter requests for information, fundraising materials or other forms of support. Arrange a variety of events and meetings involving internal and external agencies using initiative to produce agendas in advance, attend meetings, take minutes and co-ordinate follow up action points.
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Arrange events, book appropriate venues and hospitality and undertake associated administrative tasks.
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Prepare regular and non-routine papers and reports undertaking initial research as required.
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Undertake ad hoc research projects as requested.
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Maintain a comprehensive filing system both by hard copy and electronically.
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
I CAN is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.
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Person Specification Qualifications
Skills and knowledge
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5 GCSEs including English & Maths. [E]
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Degree or equivalent qualification. [D]
Experience
• Good written and verbal communication skills including negotiation and persuasion skills, clarity, tact and the ability to adapt communication to suit audience. [E]
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• Excellent telephone manner. [E]
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A minimum of 12 months’ experience in an administrative role in a fundraising office environment. [E] Exposure to the voluntary sector. [D]
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills. [E] • Able to deal with pressure, prioritise a varied workload and work efficiently. [E] • Accuracy, consistency and attention to detail. [E] • Good organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines. [E] • Good working knowledge of all Microsoft Office software including Outlook, Internet Explorer, Word, and Excel. [E] • The ability to work effectively as part of a small team. [E] • Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative and work independently. [E] • Ability to build relationships both within and beyond an organisation. [E] • Experience of using a customer relationship management (CRM) or similar database system. [D] Other factors • Committed to the overall aims of I CAN. [E] • Fit to undertake the duties of the post. [E] • Committed to safe guarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. [E]
[E] = Essential [D] = Desirable Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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Terms & Conditions Annual Salary £18,400 - £20,000
Location Central Office, London
Hours of Work Normal hours of duty, exclusive of meal breaks: 35 hours per week.
Reporting to Director of Philanthropy
Contract Type Permanent
Pension I CAN group pension scheme with Aviva. Employer contribution 4.5%, minimum employee contribution 3%.
Annual Leave 25 days per annum plus bank holidays.
Christmas I CAN Central Office closes between Christmas and New Year providing 3 days Company Holiday, in addition to employees’ annual leave allowance.
Flexible Working Policy I CAN is committed to considering all requests for flexible working, for eligible employees. Flexible working is subject to the written agreement of the Line Manager and needs of the charity.
Additional Benefits Free Annual Flu Vaccination, Season Ticket Loan, Bike Loan, Eye Test Policy, Childcare Voucher Scheme, Flexible Working Policy, Life Assurance, Payroll Giving, BUPA Employee Assistance Programme.
How to Apply Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter not exceeding one page, highlighting your suitability for the position, and why you are interested, by email to:
For an informal conversation prior to applying to this role, please contact: Mairi Shirley, Director mairi.shirley@execucare.com
Claire Reynolds, Project Manager claire.reynolds@execucare.com
Candidate Information Pack Philanthropy Coordinator, I CAN
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Execucare UK 14 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8HN United Kingdom (44) 20 3409 8981 Execucare USA (Shirley Associates) 200 North Larchmont Boulevard Los Angeles 90004-3707 USA (1) 323 4606202 Execucare New Zealand Level 1 97 Cuba Mall Wellington 6142 New Zealand (64) 4385 1904
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