Grants & Institutional Giving Officer

Overview

Tetra Foundation is a UK charity with a mission to transform Nigeria through maritime training.

We are providing scholarships to equip Nigerian youth with world-class vocational skills, enabling them to build international careers in the maritime industry. This initiative aims to transform not only their own lives, but also the prospects of their communities and the nation as a whole.

The Tetra Foundation was conceived and launched by the management of Union Maritime, one of the UK's largest shipowners. Established in 2006 with an initial focus on the Nigerian market, Union Maritime has since grown into a leading global owner. It maintains significant operations in Nigeria and manages Goodwork Crewing, the largest private Nigerian crewing agent, with over 1,000 Nigerian seafarers.

That experience provides unique insight into both the challenges and the potential of the country and its youth, forming the foundation for the Tetra Foundation and its transformational mission

Role summary

Tetra Foundation is a UK-registered charity transforming Nigeria's future through world-class maritime education. By equipping young Nigerians with internationally recognised training and certifications, the Foundation opens pathways to global shipping careers and drives scalable economic impact. 

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic Grants & Institutional Giving Officer to lead and expand our philanthropic and institutional funding portfolio. The ideal candidate will bring over 15 years of experience in securing multi-million-pound funding from major foundations, government agencies, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs/UHNWIs). This role is pivotal in supporting our long-term financial sustainability and strategic impact.

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership: Develop and execute a high-level strategy for institutional giving, aligned with organisational priorities and growth targets.
• Relationship Management:Cultivate and steward long-term relationships with major donors, philanthropic foundations, government bodies, and international funding agencies.
• Development:Lead the creation of compelling funding proposals, grant applications, and impact reports tailored to diverse funder requirements.
• Team Oversight & Collaboration:Collaborate with senior leadership to align fundraising goals with programmatic outcomes.
• Market Intelligence & Prospecting:Identify new funding opportunities and stay abreast of trends in philanthropy, public funding, and donor engagement.
• Compliance & Reporting:Ensure all funding activities meet legal, ethical, and organisational standards, including timely reporting and audit readiness.

Experience required

• ​​Minimum 15 years of experience in institutional fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.
• Proven track record of raising multi-million-pound funding over sustained periods.
• Deep knowledge of UK and international funding landscapes, including government, philanthropic, and private sectors.
• Experience working with HNWIs/UHNWIs, including bespoke engagement strategies and legacy giving.
• Current or recent title of Head of Department, Director, or C-suite in a relevant fundraising or development role.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven individual to join a leading global shipping company at a critical juncture in its growth. You will be part of a forward-thinking, dynamic team and have the chance to shape the future direction of the company's commercial strategy.

At Union Maritime, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive, collaborative environment where talent is nurtured, and personal and professional growth is encouraged. If you are looking for a challenging, fast-paced role with the potential to grow and develop within an industry-leading organisation, we want to hear from you.