Sightsavers Ireland is a leading international NGO working to prevent avoidable blindness, restore sight and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people with disabilities. Established in 2003, we are an independent affiliate that works to actively support the work of the global Sightsavers organisation. 

Title: Fundraising Assistant
Salary: €24,908 - €29,304
Location: Dublin, hybrid working
Contract: 18 Months Fixed Term Contract – permanent updated contract afterwards
Hours: This role can be worked full-time (35 hours) or part time (ideally 28 hours), with some flexibility around hours worked and some home working.

About the role

The role of Fundraising Assistant offers an exciting opportunity for a strong administrator with an understanding and appreciation of donor value and contribution, to support Sightsavers Ireland's Individual Giving team and lead on the administrative tasks that support fundraising efforts.

As Fundraising Assistant, you will support a wide range of fundraising campaigns and be an integral link between Sightsavers Ireland and its existing supporters as well as fostering relationships with prospective new donors.

This varied role offers the opportunity to gain critical experience across a diverse range of fundraising methods and channels, whilst supporting Sightsavers' vision of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes or excluded from accessing their rights because of a disability. Within the parameters of the Job Description, you will have the opportunity to shape this role, making it an excellent first-step into Fundraising and donor support.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate response handling of fundraising campaigns and manage thank-you processes with service providers 
• Follow up on unprocessed donations and handle cheque logging and dispatch 
• Maintain accurate donor records across systems and databases 
• Support inbound donor queries via phone and email, arranging follow-ups as needed 
• Assist with fundraising activities, including in-person donor visits 
• Manage administrative tasks such as purchase orders, invoices, and stationery 
• Support database updates and campaign coordination, including tax and digital activities 
• Update and enhance data files for fundraising campaigns 
• Liaise with fulfilment house to manage donor materials and mailings 
• Provide general administrative support to the Individual Giving team 

This is a varied role. Please read the full job description for further details. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader, and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply

About You: Skills and Experience

As Fundraising Assistant, you will understand the importance of donors and the impact their support has on Sightsavers' work. You will bring a respectful and thoughtful approach to donor care, recognising the value of every contribution and ensuring communications reflect our standards of quality and gratitude. Experience and confidence in customer service or supporter care will help you respond to donor queries with professionalism and warmth, maintaining positive relationships and upholding the organisation's values.

You will be organised and detail-oriented, with excellent administrative skills, a proactive attitude and accountability for your work. Whether coordinating campaign responses, managing records, or supporting operational tasks, you'll be comfortable working across multiple priorities both independently and contributing to a busy, international collaborative team.

Requirements: 

Essential  

• Experience in customer service or supporter care 
• Strong administrative and organisational skills 
• Awareness of disability inclusion and gender equality principles.  
• High degree of initiative, flexibility and a self-starter   
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy and attention to detail 
• Outstanding English language communication skills, both written and verbal 
• Understanding of the importance of donor relationships and supporter care 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team 
• Proactive and willing to learn 
• Reliable and accountable  
• Adhere to the 6 Sightsavers Ireland's values - collaboration, excellence, boldness, accountability, inclusion and empowerment 
• Full working rights in Ireland and ability to come into the Dublin office at least 3 days per week. 

Desirable  

• Experience working in a fundraising or non-profit environment 
• Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems 
• Understanding of tax-related donor communications 
• Experience supporting digital or community fundraising campaigns 
• Confidence in liaising with external service providers 
• Experience engaging with partners, stakeholders, or organisations of persons with disabilities.  

Benefits 

Sightsavers offers some fantastic benefits. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous annual leave allowance, pension, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and wellness discounts. Our offices are in centrally located in Dublin, in the Capel Building which has great public transport links.

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.  

Flexible working 

The Fundraising Assistant needs to work from our office in Dublin at least three times per week, to support key operational activities that need to be completed in person. Office attendance does not need to be for full days, and we are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, for example hours that accommodate school pick-ups, caring responsibilities, or other personal commitments.

We anticipate that remote interviews will take place on the week commencing 10 November and the evaluation process will include a video or in-person interview with a potential written task before hand.

Closing date: Sunday 26 October 2025 

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.