Fundraising Officer

• Job title: Fundraising Officer
• Working Hours: Part-time or Full-time considered. 7 hours per day, 35 hour week.
• Location: Dublin office, 37 Killarney Street, Dublin 1, D01 NX74
• Travel required: Unlikely, but possible
• Salary: €38,000-€40,000, pro-rata FTE
• Reporting to: Fundraising Manager
• Annual Leave: 25 days, Pro rata FTE
• Contract duration 24 months
• Date posted: Wednesday 16th July 2025
• Application Deadline: 5pm, Friday 8th August 2025

Introduction and overview

The Irish Refugee Council believe in a fair and inclusive society for people seeking international protection in Ireland. We believe that every person has a legal right to claim asylum and to have their application considered in a fair and transparent manner, in accordance with the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees.

Our work involves services and supports to people seeking international protection, beneficiaries of temporary protection and refugees. We provide information and early legal advice as well as integration supports around housing, education, employment, youth work and resettlement. Through our services we identify trends and issues that require change and advocacy.

Our work is only possible with a strong financial management. We receive about 20% of our funding from Government and the EU. The remainder is raised via fundraising (grants, individual giving, corporate support etc.). The role of Fundraising is crucial to our continued success.

The Fundraising Officer will take on a central role acting as the key point of contact for supporter enquiries, information, and donor care. The ideal person will be a natural general fundraiser and people person, who is able to hit the ground running and work with colleagues in the Irish Refugee Council. They will support the successful implementation of national fundraising campaigns, in addition to managing day-to-day administration of ongoing fundraising activities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead on donor care, including thanking donors for their gifts, responding to queries from donors and updating donors through regular donor updates.
• Act as a point of contact for enquiries, assessing, and responding to fundraising opportunities as they arise while providing best practice donor care experience.
• Input and maintain comprehensive and accurate records on our fundraising database (Salesforce) in line with organisational procedures.
• Support the Fundraising Manager and CEO with the Grants, Trusts and Foundations, and Corporate fundraising.
• Organise and lead the production of fundraising promotional materials as required.
• Monitor our website from a fundraising viewpoint and ensure its potential as a fundraising tool is maximised.
• Support the gathering of engaging stories of impact for a variety of audiences, supporting the generation of impact communications to supporters.
• Collaborate with colleagues and contribute to the overall strategic development of the organisation.
• Help to increase income generation by identifying and developing new revenue streams whilst maximising existing opportunities and direct campaigns.
• Attend relevant fundraising fora such as Charities Institute Ireland, and other relevant bodies.
• To carry out any other ad hoc duties that may be assigned from time to time.
• Contributing to the development of funding applications.
• Prepare financial reports for specific projects as may be required.
• Other tasks as may be required by the CEO to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

Person Specification: Qualifications, Experience, and Skills Required

Essential: 

• A strong commitment to refugee rights and supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.
• At least two years’ experience in a fundraising environment.
• Third-level qualification or equivalent work experience
• Excellent multitasking skills, organisational skill, attention to detail particularly in written work.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as on own initiative
• Excellent problem-solving attitude with results-oriented attitude
• Experience of working with different fundraising channels/teams
• Proven experience working as part of a small team in fundraising.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Strong ability in Microsoft products, including Office 365, Excel, PowerPoint, Excel, Word etc.
• The ability to monitor the financial performance of individual projects and departments.
• The ability to work to deadlines

Desired: 

• Experience of working for a not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience of using a fundraising database
• Demonstrable project management skills

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Irish Refugee Council is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity.

We welcome applications from everyone, particularly from people with direct experience of the international protection process and who have lived in Direct Provision and IPAS accommodation.

Staff Benefits and Salary

• 24-month contract, extendable subject to funding, & inclusive of a satisfactory 6-month probation period.
• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus additional paid leave at Christmas.
• A commitment to professional development including access to an annual career professional development fund.
• A comprehensive induction process.
• A diverse working environment.
• Employee Assistance Programme that offers expert counselling and support.
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements.
• Pension after passing a probation period of six months, or as soon as this is obligated by government. Contribution of up to 7.5% of salary on condition that staff member contributes 3.75% of salary.
• Free Car and Bike parking
• Bike to work scheme available.

Application Process

To help us process your application efficiently we would be grateful if you could follow these guidelines carefully, thank you.

1. Please send one pdf file including your CV and cover letter to recruitment@irishrefugeecouncil.ie - give the file your full name.
2. The content of emails will not be included in your application so please include all details in your cover letter.
3. The phrase “Fundraising Officer” must be inserted into the email subject matter line.
4. The cover letter must clearly address the requirements outlined above. Only applications addressing the requirements will be considered. Applicants should give examples of how their experience meets the points listed in the Person Specification.
5. Deadline for application is strictly 5pm on Friday 8th August 2025.
6. Each application will receive an automated email acknowledgment upon receipt of application.
7. Interviews will be held in person.