Work With Us

Launch 1.jpg

Development and Fundraising Officer

Introduction to the Role

We are seeking a results-driven Development and Fundraising Officer to lead our grant applications, trust initiatives, and donor engagement efforts. In this international role, you will work closely with our team to create compelling proposals, coordinate fundraising events, and secure essential funding. Reporting directly to the Interim Director, you will play a vital role in shaping our fundraising strategy while working within a flexible, remote environment.

General Details

  • Title: Development and Fundraising Officer

  • Salary: £28-35,000 per annum based on experience and training

  • Reporting to: Interim Director

  • Contract: One-year renewable, Full-time (35 hours per week)

  • Location: Remote

  • International scope: Engage with international donors, trusts, and grant-making bodies

Core Responsibilities

1. Grant & trust applications

You will drive the research, development, and management of grant applications and trust funding. Your role involves identifying funding opportunities that align with Hong Kong Watch’s mission and preparing detailed proposals that secure essential resources for our projects.

2. Fundraising campaigns & donor engagement

In this responsibility, you will design and execute targeted fundraising campaigns and events. You will work to cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, trusts, and institutional funders, ensuring a consistent flow of financial support that underpins our advocacy and community work.

3. Coordination & communications

This responsibility centres on effective internal collaboration and external representation. You will coordinate with our communications teams to ensure consistent messaging, manage donor communications, and report on the impact of our fundraising efforts.

Key Tasks

  • Research and application development:
    Identify suitable grant opportunities, trusts, and philanthropic funding sources both in the UK and internationally. You will draft, refine, and submit proposals that reflect Hong Kong Watch’s strategic priorities, ensuring compliance with each funder’s requirements.

  • Campaign strategy and event coordination:
    Develop integrated fundraising campaigns in collaboration with our communications team. This includes planning virtual and in-person events, managing donor appreciation sessions, and ensuring that each campaign aligns with our overall mission and values.

  • Donor relationship management:
    Build and nurture relationships with a diverse range of funders. This task involves regular communication, organising meetings and presentations, and providing clear, detailed impact reports that demonstrate the effectiveness of our initiatives.

  • Internal collaboration and reporting:
    Work closely with the operations team to ensure that all fundraising efforts are fully aligned. You will attend monthly strategy meetings, coordinate updates, and produce comprehensive reports on campaign performance and donor engagement.

  • Digital and social media integration:
    Collaborate with the communications team to create engaging online content that supports fundraising efforts. This includes drafting newsletters, managing social media updates, and developing digital materials that promote events and initiatives.

  • Monitoring, evaluation, and strategic review:
    Continuously track key fundraising metrics and donor engagement levels. You will evaluate the success of fundraising initiatives, adjust strategies as needed, and prepare strategic reviews that inform future plans and objectives.

Essential Skills & Behaviours

  • Grant-writing expertise:
    Proven track record of researching, drafting and submitting successful grant and trust applications.

  • Excellent written & verbal communication:
    Able to craft compelling narratives and present confidently to donors, partners and colleagues.

  • Relationship-building & stakeholder management:
    Skilled at cultivating and maintaining donor relationships, with strong interpersonal presence.

  • Project & time management:
    Highly organised and able to plan multiple bids, campaigns and events to tight deadlines without oversight.

  • Attention to detail & accuracy:
    Meticulous in proposal compliance, budgets, reporting and data entry.

  • Analytical & outcomes-driven:
    Tracks fundraising metrics, evaluates impact, adjusts tactics to hit targets.

  • Team-player & collaborator:
    Works seamlessly with communications, operations and senior leadership to align messages and priorities.

  • Self-starter & remote-working discipline:
    Proactive, resourceful and able to manage your own workload in a flexible, home-based role.

  • Cultural sensitivity & political awareness:
    Strong understanding of Hong Kong’s human rights context and respect for diaspora communities.

Desirable Skills & Behaviours

  • Language skills:
    Proficiency in Cantonese.

  • Event planning & virtual engagement:
    Background in coordinating both in-person and online fundraising events, webinars or galas.

  • Digital fundraising & social media integration:
    Know-how in peer-to-peer platforms, crowdfunding tools and integrating campaigns with social channels.

  • Budgeting & financial literacy:
    Able to draft, monitor and report against budgets for grant-funded projects and campaigns.

  • Network in philanthropic/trust circles:
    Existing contacts or familiarity with UK and international grant-makers, foundations and trusts.

  • Human rights or advocacy sector experience:
    Prior work in NGOs, think tanks or advocacy that demonstrates commitment to civil liberties.

  • Strategic thinking & innovation:
    Creative in identifying new funding streams and piloting novel campaign approaches.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary: £28-35,000 per annum

  • Flexible working: Enjoy a remote working environment with one monthly in-person meeting in London if you are based in the UK

  • International exposure: Engage with a diverse network of global donors, trusts, and philanthropic partners

  • Professional development: Opportunities for training and growth in the field of international fundraising

  • Collaborative culture: Join a dedicated team committed to making a tangible impact for Hong Kongers and their communities

Applications

Interested applicants should submit their CV and a cover letter to info@hongkongwatch.org by 5pm BST on Thursday, 29 May 2025. Please use the subject line: “Development and Fundraising Officer: [FULL NAME].” The cover letter should articulate your motivation for joining our organisation and how your relevant experience aligns with the role.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please send an email for the attention of our Interim Director to info@hongkongwatch.org.

Interviews

First-round interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, both before and after the application deadline.