They’ve achieved some incredible reforms that make a big difference to the lives of children and young people, including changes to the law on criminal records, which resulted in thousands of young people not being held back from fulfilling their potential, and ensuring that 17-year-olds are always treated as children in police custody. Additionally, JfKL hosts The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), which works with around 100 members to promote children’s rights and monitor government implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
As they embark on a new three-year plan following a strategic refocus in 2023, JfKL are seeking a senior leader and relationship fundraiser to further strengthen their organisational leadership and income generation capabilities in the newly-created position of Director of Development and JfKL Co-Lead.
Introduction from JfKL Co-Leads
At Just for Kids Law, we’ve been working to support vulnerable children and young people for more than 18 years. Our small but committed team has earned a strong reputation based on our unique expertise and experience in children and young people’s rights. We consistently punch above our weight and are proud of the difference we make.
Just for Kids Law has recently refocussed to ensure we make an impact where it’s needed most: providing trauma-informed and anti-racist legal representation to children and young people in contact with the criminal justice system and using the evidence from this case work to fight for systematic change.
Our hosting of the Children’s Rights Alliance for England means that we play a crucial and unique role in holding the Government to account on its child rights obligations.
We are looking for an exceptional colleague to co-lead the organisation with us and further strengthen Just for Kids Law’s fundraising and communications capacity. If you would relish the opportunity of working in a fast-paced, rights-based organisation that doesn’t shy away from the difficult issues, we would love to hear from you.
Aika Stephenson
JfKL Co-Lead, Co-Founder and Legal Director
Louise King
JfKL Co-Lead, Director of the Children’s Rights Alliance for England
About the role
You will contribute to JfKL’s strategy, vision and mission in conjunction with the other JfKL Co-Leads, and collaborate across the charity to drive income and ensure distinctive messaging that supports great fundraising.
Currently, c.80% of income is from trusts and foundations. Other sources including legal aid income and individual giving, and HNWIs have previously donated gifts of up to £250,000. JfKL’s work and outstanding impact spans diverse activities including criminal law, human rights monitoring, youth justice, anti-racism, and campaigning for systemic change, providing ample scope to further develop trust and foundation income and shape compelling cases for support for HNWI gifts.
As Director of Development and Co-Lead, you will:
- Develop and implement a fundraising strategy focused initially on maximising trust and foundation support and subsequently on building a HNWI fundraising programme
- Lead on creating a communication strategy to support fundraising and organisational objectives
- Oversee the finance and operations team of two people
- Lead the long-term diversification of the funding portfolio, considering wider opportunities for income generation
About you
JfKL is a small, tight-knit organisation that practices trauma-informed, anti-racist legal practice, representing children and young people in the criminal justice system and working for systems change. Along with the leadership and fundraising experience and operational acumen required, it is essential that the postholder demonstrably shares a passion for the mission and values of the organisation and its person-centred approach.
Ideal skills and experience:
- Ability to contribute to organisational strategy development
- Creating and delivering successful high-value fundraising programmes
- Securing five- and six-figure income from trusts and HNWIs
- Financial and budget management and devising budgeted cases for support
- Working with boards of trustees
- Thrive in a small team environment, collaborating effectively with peers and senior stakeholders
Employee benefits
Benefits include:
- 27 days annual leave excluding bank holidays plus an additional three days office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Matched employee pension contribution of 5% (upon successful completion of probation period)
- Enhanced parental leave and pay, including 3 months maternity/adoption leave at full pay
