At a Glance
- Tasks: Unlock funding to support individuals into sustainable employment and independence.
- Company: A dynamic organisation focused on social impact and community support.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work remotely, and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Join a small, fast-moving team with direct access to decision makers.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming lives through impactful funding applications.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills, proactive mindset, and an interest in social impact.
Help us unlock funding that changes lives. Right now, demand for what we do is growing. We are supporting people into sustainable employment, including those who are often overlooked, such as prison leavers, people on probation, and others who face real barriers to work. We know the model works. The challenge is reaching more people, more consistently. This role directly addresses that. By building a strong pipeline of grant and bid funding, you will enable us to expand into new prisons, probation services, and community settings. That means more individuals gaining the skills, confidence, and practical support they need to earn, build stability, and move forward with their lives. Every successful bid is not just funding; it is someone gaining a second chance, accessing support they would not otherwise receive, and moving towards a more independent future. You will be a key part of making that happen.
What are we looking for?
- Someone who combines strong writing skills with the ability to think commercially and spot opportunity.
- You do not need to have worked in the justice sector, but you do need to be able to understand what we do quickly and translate that into compelling funding applications.
- Experience writing successful grant applications or bids, or strong transferable experience in proposal writing, fundraising, or business development.
- The ability to identify and assess funding opportunities, not just respond to them.
- Excellent written communication skills, clear, concise, and tailored to different audiences.
- The confidence to take ownership of the full process, from idea through to submission.
- Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple deadlines and keep things moving.
- An interest in social impact, particularly supporting people into employment and independence.
Just as important is your mindset. We are looking for someone who is proactive, not waiting to be asked, and who enjoys joining the dots between what we do and what funders are looking for. You will be comfortable working with a small, fast-moving team and able to get under the skin of the organisation quickly. If you are someone who enjoys turning ideas into funded projects, and wants to see a clear link between your work and real-world impact, you will fit well here.
What will you be doing?
- Take real ownership of our funding pipeline, from spotting opportunities through to submitting high-quality applications.
- Proactively identify relevant grant and bid opportunities aligned to our work supporting people into self-employment.
- Assess which opportunities are worth pursuing and prioritise accordingly.
- Lead the end-to-end bid process, from initial scoping through to submission.
- Work closely with the CEO and team to gather insight, evidence, and impact data.
- Write compelling, clear, and tailored applications that reflect both our commercial and social value.
- Track submissions, deadlines, and outcomes to build a consistent pipeline.
- Where appropriate, help shape new ideas or projects that align with funding opportunities.
Our team is small, hands-on, and used to moving quickly. You will have direct access to decision makers and a clear line of sight between your work and the impact it creates. The priority is simple: Bring in funding that allows us to reach more people, test new ideas, and grow what works.
Grants and Bid Lead (volunteer) - Volunteer in Ashford employer: RIFT Social Enterprise
Join a dynamic and passionate team dedicated to making a real difference in people's lives through sustainable employment. As a volunteer Grants and Bid Lead, you will have the unique opportunity to directly influence funding strategies that empower individuals facing barriers to work, all while working remotely in a supportive and fast-paced environment. With a strong focus on social impact and personal growth, this role offers you the chance to develop your skills in grant writing and project management, contributing to meaningful change in communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grants and Bid Lead (volunteer) - Volunteer in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Understanding our mission and the impact we have will help you connect your skills to what we need. Dive into our website, read up on our projects, and think about how your experience can make a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers and team members to get the inside scoop on what it’s really like here. Building those connections can give you valuable insights and might even lead to a recommendation!
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your passion for social impact! When you chat with us, share why you care about helping people into employment. We want to see that fire in your belly and how you can translate that into compelling funding applications.
✨Tip Number 4
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you; actively seek them out. Keep an eye on grant announcements and think creatively about how we can align our work with potential funders’ interests.
We think you need these skills to ace Grants and Bid Lead (volunteer) - Volunteer in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for social impact shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about helping people into sustainable employment and that you understand the difference our work makes.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for us! Highlight your relevant experience in writing grants or proposals, and connect it to what we do. Show us how your skills can help unlock funding that changes lives.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clear communication, so keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your application is easy to read. Remember, we want to understand your ideas quickly!
Take Ownership:Demonstrate your proactive mindset by outlining how you would manage the bid process from start to finish. Show us that you're ready to take charge and drive results, as that's exactly what we need in this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at RIFT Social Enterprise
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the organisation's mission and values. Understand how they support people into sustainable employment and the impact of their work. This will help you articulate how your skills can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since strong writing is key for this role, prepare a few examples of your previous grant applications or proposals. Be ready to discuss what made them successful and how you tailored your approach to different audiences.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity
Highlight instances where you've taken initiative in past roles. Discuss how you identified funding opportunities or led projects without waiting for direction. This aligns perfectly with the proactive mindset they're looking for.
✨Connect the Dots
Be prepared to explain how you would link the organisation's work to potential funders' interests. Think about how you can tell compelling stories that resonate with funders while showcasing the social impact of their contributions.
