Senior Funding and Communications Manager
Role Purpose / Summary
UWS is a specialist NGO working to end education poverty, with community-led programmes in Cambodia, Nepal, Madagascar, and Myanmar. As we deliver an ambitious new global strategy, we are building a distributed programme funding function and strengthening our in-country communications to drive greater impact, visibility, and long-term sustainability.
This new Senior Funding and Communications Manager role is a key appointment in this next phase of UWS’ growth. Based in Phnom Penh, the postholder will lead UWS Cambodia’s fundraising strategy - unlocking resources from local philanthropists, national and international donors, including trusts, foundations, and institutional funders - while also contributing to the global programme funding pipeline. The role also holds responsibility for UWS Cambodia’s communications, managing a small team to raise the profile of the organisation, celebrate impact, and drive engagement with key audiences.
Matrix-managed, with a solid line into the Global Head of Programme Funding and a dotted line to the UWS Cambodia Country Director, this is a dynamic and strategic post with both local and global influence. You’ll bring strong experience in fundraising and communications, confidence working across teams and cultures, and a creative, proactive approach to engaging donors and partners.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new function, play a central role in UWS’ global strategy, and help ensure every child receives the quality education they deserve.
Reports To: Global Head of Programme Funding (Based in Kathmandu, Nepal). Dotted line to UWS Cambodia Country Director
Line reports: Communications Officer (based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
Type of Contract: Full Time, Renewable (based on performance review / permanent)
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
Remuneration: Competitive, based on experience
- Fundraising and Proposal Development (40%)
- Lead the development and delivery of UWS Cambodia’s fundraising strategy, securing support from a range of in-country and international donors including trusts, foundations, institutional funders, corporate partners, and local philanthropists.
- Drive the full lifecycle of proposal development - from opportunity identification and scoping to submission - ensuring alignment with UWS’ programmatic priorities, strong design, and compliance with donor requirements.
- Produce compelling outreach materials, concept notes, and funding proposals that speak to diverse funding audiences.
- Achieve agreed fundraising KPIs, including financial targets
- Work closely with MEAL, programme, and finance teams to develop robust, donor-aligned projects including clear theories of change, logical frameworks, budgets, and monitoring approaches.
- Guide budget development with finance colleagues to ensure strategic cost recovery and donor alignment.
- Support the Global Head of Programme Funding in engaging with global consortia and strategic partners for joint funding opportunities.
- Support knowledge exchange across UWS’ distributed programme funding team by sharing best practices and insights.
- Funding Landscape and Donor Engagement (30%)
- Lead in-country scoping and mapping of fundraising opportunities, maintaining a clear and current view of the funding landscape and aligning donor engagement with both Cambodian and global strategic priorities.
- Build and manage high-value donor relationships in Cambodia and internationally, cultivating new opportunities and stewarding long-term partnerships.
- Represent UWS Cambodia at donor meetings, events, and sectoral forums, positioning the organisation for new funding and partnership opportunities.
- Support the development of cultivation plans and internal donor intelligence tools to inform strategic engagement.
- Work closely with the Country Director and senior staff to identify opportunities for local collaboration and strategic partnership development.
- Country Communications Leadership (10%)
- Lead UWS Cambodia’s communications function, managing the development of content that builds the profile of UWS nationally and internationally.
- Line manages and supports the Communications Officer, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and oversight of the team’s outputs.
- Ensure communications support the delivery of the fundraising strategy - including donor materials, social media, impact stories, and campaigns.
- Coordinate with global communications colleagues to align brand and messaging, amplify national impact, and contribute content to global platforms.
- Develop relationships with national media, partners, and networks to grow visibility and credibility.
- Systems, Compliance, and Capacity Strengthening (10%)
- Coordinate grant set-up processes in collaboration with MEAL and programme teams, ensuring effective onboarding and a smooth handover into delivery.
- Ensure that donor compliance requirements are well understood and embedded across teams, supporting successful grant implementation.
- Support the development and rollout of tools and templates for effective proposal development, grant reporting, and internal learning.
- Contribute to internal fundraising capacity building by providing technical support and coaching to team members where required.
- Strategic Collaboration and Organisational Leadership (10%)
- Act as a key link between the global fundraising team and UWS Cambodia, contributing to global fundraising planning while driving national implementation.
- Collaborate with senior colleagues across functions and geographies to align efforts and ensure a joined-up approach to funding and communications.
- Play an active leadership role within UWS Cambodia, supporting the Country Director to deliver organisational goals and represent UWS with credibility and confidence.
- Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. Other duties may be required in agreement with your line manager
- ESSENTIAL
- Experience in a programme funding or resource mobilisation role, with a strong track record of securing and stewarding donor support from both local and international sources.
- Proven ability to lead successful proposals of £100k+ value, ideally within a development context.
- Experience managing communications functions or outputs, including the development of content strategies, social media, media relations, campaign messaging, and digital outreach.
- Demonstrated ability to craft compelling messaging for different audiences, including donors, partners, policymakers, and the public.
- Experience working with diverse, cross-cultural, and international teams.
- Understanding of international development, particularly education-focused programmes, and the tools and approaches used within the sector.
- Strong knowledge of the programme cycle and grant funding processes, from scoping through to compliance.
- Exceptional written English, with the ability to adapt complex technical content into accessible, engaging narratives for different audiences.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and manage tight deadlines.
- Proficiency in grant management systems, budgeting tools, communications platforms, and common IT software packages.
- High level of attention to detail and ability to manage complex budgeting and reporting processes.
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; able to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Confidence representing an organisation to senior stakeholders, including donors, partners, and media.
- DESIRABLE
- Experience of developing proposals for major grant-making donors such as EU, DFAT, FCDO, USAID, or large foundations.
- Experience of developing proposals for development programmes on the theme of education
- Prior knowledge of the funding policies and strategies of key grant-making donors in relevant countries
- Experience of remote project management, with the ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies
- Proficient in the development and use of theories of change and logical frameworks.
