Job Position: Chief Clown Development Officer

One-year fixed contract, 2 days per week: 

Freelance practitioner to work with us over 12 months on average 2 days per week

Fee:  £840 per month (£10,088 over 12 months)

WHO ARE WE?

Clowns Without Borders UK (CWB UK) uses laughter and play to support children’s psychological, emotional and cognitive health. We work in refugee camps, using evidence-based practice to share activities that hone children’s resilience and helps them to overcome adversity and build their futures. There has never been more need for our work. Global trauma, restricted movement and reduced opportunities for play has affected every child in the world – at the very time they need connection, friendship and laughter to cope.

We have shared performances and workshops with over 100,000 children in humanitarian settings in fourteen countries. Over 300 NGO workers have also taken part in our play-lead, Train-the-Trainer programmes. The world’s largest NGO’s describe our work as “psycho-social first-aid” and recognise our “innovative approach which blends funds with psychological and humanitarians support, can reach children and help them heal faster.”  

Clowns Without Borders UK is part of growing movement of fourteen other chapters based around the world. Collectively we share joy with over 250,000 children recovering from war and trauma each year. 

WHY DO WE NEED YOU?

We are a very small, busy team and in 2022, we’re taking our first steps towards generating our own income. This is an exciting step for the organisation and gives us extra freedom to choose where and how we work. That’s where you come in. We need a dynamic and skilled Chief Clowns Development Officer who’s adept at programme development to help co-create and deliver our business plan and lead a resilient organisation.  

WHAT WILL YOU DO? 

Working closely with the Director of Clowns Without Borders UK, you’ll be excited about the opportunity to create a sustainable organisation and help bring it to the next level of operation. This means you’ll develop and oversee our ‘income generating’ activities in 2022.  As part of a small team, you’ll also work across all areas of the charity. 

Income Generation (Time allocation, 70%)

You’ll shape and manage our new festival, cooperate and local workshop offer from concept development to booking, evaluation and reporting.

Business Planning (Time allocation, 10%)

You’ll work with Director, Board to help with fundraising and business planning. We value your ability to support with strategic decisions.

Communications (Time allocation, 10%)

You’ll be able to share information in way that supports our communication and fundraising strategy. 

Day-to-Day. (Time allocation, 10%)

You’ll be happy to do administrative tasks when they arise like update the website and talk with the clowns. 

WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?   

You’re self-motivated

You’re a self-stater with an entrepreneurial spirt. When you see an opportunity, you go for it. You are happy to work remotely. You can also work in collaboration with others. You’re not afraid to try out new ideas and learn quickly from them and problem solve. You have good IT skills (Word, Excel, Google Suite) and work efficiently by setting up administrative procedures.

You’re a change-maker

We are a focused team based around the world. Everyone plays an essential role. We will count on you and you will make a difference through your focused and ambitious work. You have strong attention to detail and ordered approach means you are able to work under pressure, prioritise, set targets and meet deadlines.  You’re comfortable leading and scaling activities but will also happy to pitch in with day to day running of small charity.  Clowns Without Borders UK welcomes – and will depend on – your ideas and leadership.

You love the arts

You’re excited about the arts and the difference it can make. You’re passionate about sharing the unique impact of our work with the world. This makes you an excellent communicator with the ability to persuade, inspire, negotiate and build relationships. 

WHAT ELSE?

 You’ll have:

• A minimum of three years working professionally as a producer or a manager in the arts or charity sector
  • Strong financial management skills 
  • A proven ability to build strong working relationships internally and externally 
  • Experience and understanding of charitable fundraising, business development and/or income generation
  • Experience of financial and budget management, with a proven record of developing and maintaining smooth running systems
  • Ability to live the values of Clowns Without Borders UK and strive to maintain a spirit of joy, compassion and kindness in the way you work with others

Desirable

• Experience in use of CRM database (Donorfy) and accounting software (Xero)
• Experience of current child safeguarding and health and safety best practice
• Experience of managing volunteers

TERMS and CONDITIONS

Responsible to:             Director, Clowns Without Borders UK

Holiday:                        28 days per annum, including bank holidays (pro rata)

Location:                      We operate on a remote model but presence at summer festivals and occasional meetings in London is required.  

Hours:                          Based on a full-time working week of 35 hours. Clowns Without Borders UK office 

hours are 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional work at evenings and 

weekends as required. 

Notice period:             2 months probationary period, 2 months’ notice on either side is required thereafter

HOW DO I APPLY?

Please send us a two-page (max) copy of your CV  and an one- page (max) cover letter outlining why you are applying and, based on your experience, how you meet the role requirements. 

We need this by: 10am Tuesday 30^th August 

Please send it to niki@clownswithoutborders.org.uk

Interviews will be held on: w/c 5^th and 12^th September 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 

Clowns Without Borders UK strives to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. We especially welcome applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the arts.

We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process if you have a disability or long-term health condition, or if you need something different or additional as part of the recruitment process.

If you need an adjustment or extra support to apply, please get in touch: niki@clownswithoutborders.org.uk