About Company

VACANCY: PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) is looking for a qualified, dedicated and dynamic Philanthropy Officer to help diversify BLSA’s funding
streams, to secure funding for BLSA’s work, and to steward BLSA’s donors. The Philanthropy Officer will identify
funding opportunities, develop and submit funding applications, build relationships with new donors and nurture
the relationships with BLSA’s existing donors. The Philanthropy Officer will be strategic, proactive, innovative,
self-motivated, hardworking, be meticulous with attention to detail, have good administrative skills, be a team
player, a keen naturalist, and have a passion for bird conservation.
The Philanthropy Officer will be committed to BLSA’s vision and mission (available at
https://www.birdlife.org.za/who-we-are/about/).
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibilities of the Philanthropy Officer will include, but not be limited to, securing unrestricted
funding for BLSA’s core and conservation work. The Philanthropy’s Officer’s responsibilities will include:
 Identifying potential donors through prospect research.
 Building and nurturing relationships with new and existing donors.
 Undertaking crowdfunding initiatives and funding appeals in collaboration with BLSA’s Communication’s
Manager.
 Establishing and maintaining an increasingly successful annual giving programme.
 Develop and then update, with input from BLSA’s management and BLSA’s Fundraising Committee an annual
fundraising plan.
 Management of BLSA’s Legacy Programme.
 Assisting with the organisation of donor events.
INHERENT REQUIREMENTS
Inherent requirements for the position are:
 A tertiary degree and relevant professional experience.
 A proven track record in successful fundraising, identifying donor prospects, donor cultivation, and donor
stewardship.
 Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Excellent organisational and time management skills, meticulous attention to detail, a strong work ethic, the
ability to work under pressure, and the ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines.
 Excellent inter-personal skills.
 Good numeracy skills.
 Experience with a CRM system.
 Knowledge of South Africa’s birds and the main threats to birds and their habitats.
 A team player.
GENERAL
 The successful candidate will report to BLSA’s Chief Executive Officer.
 The position will be based at BLSA’s Head Office, Isdell House, Johannesburg.
 The nature of the position requires the incumbent to sometimes work afterhours and over weekends.
REMUNERATION
Salary: BLSA offers a salary which is commensurate with the position and responsibilities. The salary information
is available on request. For any further enquiries, please feel free to contact the HR Manager, Dr Isabel Human, at
isabel.human@birdlife.org.za or 011-7891122.
Fringe benefits: BLSA provides comprehensive group life insurance.
INTERVIEW
Interview: Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview in person or via Zoom.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants are to submit:
 A detailed curriculum vitae with three contactable referees.
 Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
 A copy of the applicant’s identity document.
 A detailed motivation as to how the applicant sees his/her role in this post.
Please note:
 All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
 Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six
weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
 BLSA reserves the right not to make an appointment.
 BLSA subscribes to and applies the principles prescribed by the Employment Equity Act. Preference will
be given to candidates from designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned
act and the employee profile of the specific programme.
Assumption of duties: As soon as possible
Closing date: 31 August 2023
To apply, please e-mail your CV and motivation to Dr Isabel Human, BLSA’s HR Manager, at
isabel.human@birdlife.org.za with the subject title “Philanthropy Officer”.
For further information, contact Mark D. Anderson, BirdLife South Africa’s CEO at ceo@birdlife.org.za.