Recruitment FAQs

What is the recruitment process?

• Applications for the next round of graduate trainees will open in April 2013 and close in June. Our recruitment partner will be managing the process. Details on how to apply will be available on the site in Spring 2013. Email europe@case.org for more information and to register your interest.
• The recruitment consultant will then review applications and conduct telephone interviews, before selecting a long‐list of graduates to be interviewed. CASE Europe will conduct primary interviews and draw up short‐lists of up to five exceptional candidates for subsequent interview by the participating institutions. 
• The host institution then makes the final selection. CASE Europe will also support the host university in identifying a co-host and will provide guidance to host universities about the content of the training programme to be provided, as well as careers advice and support for the trainees.

Why should graduates participate?

This is a great opportunity for graduates to kick-start their career in educational advancement. They will gain a thorough grounding in the fundamental skills of fundraising and alumni relations and will benefit from on-the-job experience and peer support. All trainees from the previous cohorts of the scheme have secured full-time fundraising positions following completion of the programme.

Each graduate will spend a year working within different areas of their host university's development function, including alumni relations. They will be exposed to core fundraising skills including:

• Prospect Research
• Fundraising Planning
• Building a case for support
• ‘Making the ask' and major gift fundraising
• Annual giving
• Alumni relations
• Stewardship/donor relations
• Monitoring and evaluating fundraising activity

The breadth of this experience in a tight timeframe provides graduates with a fully rounded view of fundraising in higher education and its vital supporting operations.

Graduates also benefit from attending three CASE Europe training programmes, including the highly regarded Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising and the CASE Europe Annual Conference. In addition, each trainee will gain experience in a second co-host institution as part of their one month secondment period in a less well established development office. During this time the graduates will be able to accelerate their learning through increased responsibility and autonomy.

Each graduate also benefits from having a mentor within their host university, whilst CASE Europe ensures that there are opportunities for interaction, networking and peer-support among current and past trainees. Networking opportunities include the CASE Europe Graduate Trainee LinkedIn group, which all trainees can join.

Why should institutions participate?

By participating in the CASE Europe Graduate Trainee Programme, host and co-host institutions will benefit from bright and enthusiastic high-calibre graduates eager to learn the basics of educational fundraising. Host institutions only need to cover 75% of the trainee's basic annual salary (£18,000 or £20,000 with London weighting) and the costs of the CASE Europe training programmes are covered by CASE Europe. Many host institutions go on to employ their trainees on a permanent basis following completion of the scheme.

What is the role of the graduate trainee?

The trainee will participate in a 50 week contract with their host university, in addition to a four week secondment in a co-host university. They will also attend off- the-job training provided by CASE. This will include the CASE Europe Annual Conference, the Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising and another one-day fundraising seminar. The trainee will also undertake a one-month placement on secondment at a co-host university where they will be expected to share the expertise they have gained from their host institution.

What is the role of the host organisation?

Host universities must commit to providing their graduate trainee with a 50 week contract, during which time the intern will undertake assignments/projects that will provide them with exposure to core fundraising skills and enable them to rotate through at least three areas of development activity. The host university should also identify a senior member of staff to oversee the trainee's development programme and to report back to CASE Europe on the trainee's development. During the 50 week contract the trainee will also be released to attend a number of CASE training programmes which will be funded by CASE Europe.

Secondment institutions

Secondment institutions host the trainee for four weeks (usually after the CASE Spring Institute in Educational Fundraising around March/April) and provide them with work that allows their further development as an educational fundraiser. The secondment institution will normally have a smaller and less well established fundraising operation, and the trainee will share with them the expertise that they have gained from their host university. The secondment institution should also maintain ongoing contact with CASE Europe and the host institution regarding the progress and development of the trainee.

What will be the employment status of the trainees?

The trainees will be employed by their host university on a 50‐week contract. 25% of their basic salary is contributed by the scheme, with the remaining 75% and all tax and National Insurance contributions covered by the host institution. The basic salary is £18,000 (£20,000 with London weighting). However, institutions are at liberty to increase this amount at their own cost in order to bring remuneration into line with their own pay and grading structure.

If you are interested in becoming a trainee, please email europe@case.org  

If you are interested in becoming a host institution please contact:

• Kate Hunter, executive director, CASE Europe on 0207 448 9940 or email hunter@case.org
• Tamlyn Worrall, CASE associate member on 07703 649011 or email tamlyn.worrall@live.co.uk