Faith Partnership Advisor (FPA)

The Vacancy

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. 

IRW’s International Programmes Division is recruiting for the position of ‘Faith Partnership Advisor (FPA)’ on a permanent, full time basis, to join its dynamic team based out of its offices in either Birmingham, London or where IR has an office globally. The organisation is currently operating to a hybrid working policy.

The purpose of the role:

The Faith Partnership Advisor will play a critical role within International Programmes Division (IPD) supporting the Divisions’ strategic objectives to consolidate its identity as an Islamic faith-based institution, leading our Faith Engagement Strategy, representing our approach to important multi-lateral and other institutions, ensuring the faith sensitivity and faith literacy of its programmes and securing funding for its global operations. The role will sit within the Programme Funding and Partnership Department (PFPD) within the IPD.

Building upon our many programme partnerships with other faith-based and non-faith-based actors, this role will forge new partnerships that build on the inspiring work we have developed in the areas of livelihoods, peacebuilding, forced migration, protection and gender justice. Working with major institutional donors, the Faith Partnership Advisor will form part of a collaborative team and manage the bid process from inception to submission on new programme initiatives. Specifically, the Faith Partnership Adviser will capitalise on the organisation’s faith-based approach to development. The Faith Partnership Advisor is expected to have extensive experience preparing bids which have a faith dimension to them, centred on the added value of Islamic Relief as a faith-based organisation and the industry’s need to have faith centric development and humanitarian approaches.

The successful candidate must have:

• A graduate degree or equivalent experience in development/humanitarian areas
• An in-depth understanding of international development issues
• An exceptional understanding of the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and Islamic teaching, particularly pertaining to aid and development issues
• An awareness of the various funding mechanism that are available within the industry
• Exceptional command of English with the ability to edit, summarise and compile information quickly and often within short time frames
• An ability to speak publicly and communicate confidently within groups
• An ability to lead working groups and plan strategically
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Word and being versed with PowerPoint and Excel
• Track record of working in a similar role with an International NGO essential
• Proven ability to secure funding for Faith Partnerships
• Must have substantial experience of having worked on successful bids/partnerships which have a faith dimension
• Well versed and with proven capabilities of understanding the faith dimension of international development and humanitarian interventions.
• Demonstrated experience of working on multiple bids with various institutional donors
• Ability to work extensively with a team and or on their own
• Knowledge of the key critical areas impacting the international development sector, including awareness of SDGs, faith-based initiatives, CHS, Humanitarian principles etc.

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on 12th May 2025.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK (If applicable)
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer