Grant Proposals Specialist – Bids & Partnerships (Remote)

Salary: £30,429 – 32,500 pro rata for a 6-month contract or negotiated on a consultancy basis.

Hours: 35 hours per week.

Office Base: Disability Rights UK, London E20 with fully flexible remote and hybrid working options.

Status: Temporary/fixed-term contract.

Holiday entitlement: 12.5 days plus statutory bank holidays.

Line manager: Head of Partnerships

Purpose of the role

Support the Head of Partnerships to maximise the prospect pipeline through reviewing, re‑purposing/re‑drafting and submitting bids and proposals for all areas of Disability Rights UK work to a variety of charitable trusts, foundations and other funding sources. To assist with the development of partnerships for large scale and ambitious bids (e.g., to the Arts Council England and National Lottery Partnerships Fund).

Main duties and key responsibilities

• Review previously submitted applications which were unsuccessful, re‑purposing, whole or in part, as applications to alternative funders.
• Develop our pipeline of trust and foundation prospects through ongoing research, scanning and identification of opportunities and keeping track of relevant deadlines.
• Research and write high quality project proposals and grant requests to trusts, foundations and other funders, utilising both original and already existing material, developing, adapting and improving it as necessary.
• Provide support to the Head of Partnerships in the development of large partnership bids (e.g., to the Arts Council England) through conducting research, convening meetings, responding to enquiries and assisting with the co‑production process.
• Record details of applications made and forecast income.

Responsibilities – General

• Keep actively informed and updated about developments in the disability sector and take a proactive interest in all aspects of our work.
• Work across DR UK teams, contributing to successful outcomes.
• Take an active part in team meetings / staff meetings.
• Promote the social model of disability, celebrate diversity and positively challenge stereotypes.
• Undertake any other reasonable activities as requested by the Chief Executive or Head of Partnerships.

About you

You will play a key role in securing funding and support for our organisation's vital initiatives. If you are a persuasive communicator, adept at conducting research and passionate about making a difference in the disability sector, this opportunity is for you.

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• The capability to write compelling grant proposals tailored to various funding sources.
• The skills to research and gather data to support our impact and effectiveness.
• The ability to track proposal status, manage multi‑partner communication and prepare progress reports.

Other information

We are particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; Disabled people; people who identify as being LGBTQIA2S+; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

All travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Person specification

• Lived or learned experience of disability.
• Ability to review, assess, adapt and improve on existing fundraising material.
• Ability to horizon scan, research and identify appropriate funders and leads.
• Ability to write high quality project proposals and other fundraising material.
• Ability to provide support throughout the fundraising and co‑production process, including the convening of meetings, responding to enquiries, noting meeting decisions and keeping calendars updated.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse information and make recommendations.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

All of the above will be assessed through the application and the interview process.