Fundraising and Partnerships Executive

DETAILS

Location: Dubai, UAE

Type: Part-time, flexible working arrangements

Salary: To be agreed based on hours and experience (AED 5K – AED 10K monthly) 

The Sparkle Foundation is looking for a highly organised, proactive and resourceful Fundraising & Partnerships Executive to support our business development and fundraising activities.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys research, organisation, communications and helping turn opportunities into meaningful partnerships.

Working closely with the Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Lead and the Global CEO, the postholder will play a key part in helping Sparkle reach its income targets. They will research and qualify new prospects, prepare high-quality proposals and funding applications, keep the fundraising pipeline accurate and up to date, and make sure every opportunity is followed through.

The postholder will make smart use of AI and digital tools to work efficiently, spot opportunities early and give the partnerships team the information it needs to open doors and close deals.

key responsibilities

Prospect research and identification

• Research potential corporate partners, sponsors, grant opportunities, foundations and prospective donors.
• Identify relevant decision-makers and prepare prospect lists.
• Qualify prospects against agreed criteria, including fit with Sparkle's mission, capacity to give and the best route of approach.
• Build profiles of priority prospects ahead of meetings, including company priorities, CSR/ESG focus, previous giving and key contacts.
• Monitor CSR and ESG announcements, business news and funding calls in the UAE and internationally to spot timely opportunities.
• Assist with donor research, grant applications and fundraising campaigns.
• Use AI and digital research tools to improve efficiency and identify opportunities.

Proposals, applications and correspondance

• Support the preparation of sponsorship proposals, partnership presentations and funding applications.
• Prepare grant and trust applications to deadline, gathering budgets, impact data and supporting documents from colleagues.
• Work with the marketing team to tailor Sparkle's impact stories, case studies and data for each audience.
• Draft outreach emails, follow-up communications and partnership correspondence.
• Support donor and partner reporting, acknowledgements and stewardship updates.
• Maintain an organised library of proposal templates, impact statistics and supporting materials.

Events, Campaigns and Partner Support

• Support event sponsorship outreach and auction prize procurement, including for the Annual Sparkle Gala.
• Help prepare sponsorship packages and partner benefits for fundraising events and campaigns.
• Track partner commitments and benefits to make sure Sparkle delivers on what has been agreed.
• Support partnership activations and attend selected meetings and events when required.

Pipeline, CRM and Coordination

• Maintain and update our CRM, prospect database and fundraising pipeline.
• Track partnership opportunities, submission deadlines and follow-up actions.
• Prepare weekly pipeline updates, income trackers and reports for the Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Lead and Global CEO.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare briefing notes and follow up on agreed actions.
• Work closely with the Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Lead and Global CEO.
• Help ensure fundraising activity complies with UAE fundraising requirements, data protection and internal policies.
  
  

key performance areas

Success will be measured by:

• Quality of research.
• Qualified prospects identified and added to the pipeline.
• Number and quality of proposals and funding applications supported and submitted on time.
• Contribution to pipeline growth and partnerships secured.
• Accurate CRM management.
• Timely completion of follow-ups.
• Accuracy and timeliness of pipeline reporting.



ideal experience, skills and personal attributes

• Highly organised, detail-oriented and able to work independently.
• Strong written English and communication skills, with the ability to write persuasive proposals and correspondence.
• Confident conducting online research and using digital tools.
• Comfortable with Excel, CRM systems and presentation software; Beacon CRM experience is desirable.
• AI-literate and willing to use technology to improve productivity.
• Proactive, reliable and comfortable working to deadlines and managing several priorities at once.
• Discreet and professional when handling confidential donor and partner information.
• Interest in the charity, CSR/ESG or international development sectors.
• Previous experience in administration, fundraising, research, sales support or partnerships is an advantage.
  

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS AND BENEFITS

• This is a part-time role with flexible hours, combining remote working with agreed office attendance in Dubai. Working days and hours will be agreed based on organisational needs.
• Salary will be agreed based on hours and experience, within a range of AED 5,000 – 10,000 per month. Annual leave entitlement is pro rata to hours worked, plus UAE public holidays.
• The role is subject to a six-month probation period.
• We offer a collaborative and flexible working culture, opportunities for professional development and the chance to play a direct role in growing the income, partnerships and impact of The Sparkle Foundation.