Development Manager

About BSWN and the Role

Black South West Network (BSWN) is a Black-led racial justice organisation based in Bristol, working across the South West of England. Our mission is to dismantle the systemic forms of racial inequality that have historically shaped this region, while constructing alternative frameworks for equity, belonging, and collective flourishing.

Our work spans policy and access to justice, research and knowledge production, and enterprise development, sector infrastructure, and cultural heritage. Our Community Building function supports Black and Minoritised grassroots community groups and organisations to have better access to information and support, greater involvement in shaping local services, to create positive changes in their communities, to achieve their full potential and to become sustainable for the future.

This role is a significant part of the Community Building team by connecting and delivering core capacity building, facilitating connections, and devising sustainability-building support for community groups and organisations across the Southwest region.

Key Responsibilities

This role will develop and implement practical support, offering support for fundraising and ways to build capacity that strengthens the effectiveness, resourcing, and collaborations of Black and Minoritised VCSE organisations in the South West by:

• Delivering fundraising and capacity building support to Black and Racially Minoritised VCSE organisations, and supporting a team of Community Organisers, Fundraising Lead, and Development Workers working in different parts of the region.
• Working with VCSE organisations (charities, CIOs/CICs, and unincorporated groups) to undertake a diagnostic assessment and devise a plan that supports their strategy, theory of change, good governance, and facilitates progress from their stage of development – whether it be seeking incorporation, growth, or sustainability.
• Convening VCSE organisations by hosting networking events, peer learning circles, and working with the Community Builder to provide access to sharing knowledge, skills, and learning.
• Facilitating links with a diverse range of institutional stakeholders, including local authorities, NHS, Public Health, and the Police, to ensure they meet the needs of local Black and Minoritised communities.
• Working closely with the Fundraising Lead by drafting fundraising applications and engaging with funders to help unlock resources that achieve better outcomes with and for Black and Minoritised communities.
• Convening a group of Development Workers working in various parts of the South West, engage, and support them to identify and address local needs.
• Ensuring learning opportunities, advice, templates, and tools are available to improve the impact of their efforts to raise funding and build sustainability by tapping into resources within communities, and amongst stakeholders, funders, and partners.
• Working with the BSWN research and policy team, to continuously map engagement and development of the Black and Minoritised VCSE organisations, groups, and social enterprises operating in the South West, who actively support local communities.
• Capturing all relevant organisational information and development activities on our CRM and engagement reporting systems to track progression, impact, and share key learning.