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 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 Kent employer: RIFT Social Enterprise
Join a passionate team dedicated to making a real difference in people's lives through sustainable employment. As a volunteer Grants and Bid Lead, you will enjoy a collaborative work culture that values initiative and creativity, with direct access to decision-makers and the opportunity to see the tangible impact of your efforts. This role not only offers the chance to develop your skills in grant writing and fundraising but also allows you to contribute to meaningful social change in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grants and Bid Lead (volunteer) - Volunteer in Kent
✨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 help us unlock more funding.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sector, attend relevant events, and engage with potential funders. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into what funders are really looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your writing chops! When you get the chance to submit a bid or application, make sure it’s clear, concise, and tailored to the audience. Use storytelling to highlight the real-world impact of our work – that’s what grabs attention!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay organised and proactive! Keep track of deadlines and submissions, and don’t hesitate to take the lead on projects. The more you manage your time effectively, the better we can respond to opportunities and make a difference together.
We think you need these skills to ace Grants and Bid Lead (volunteer) - Volunteer in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience:Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. Tailor your application to resonate with the funders' values and priorities. We want to see how well you can connect our mission to their goals!
Showcase Your Skills:Highlight your writing skills and any relevant experience in grant applications or proposals. We’re looking for clarity and conciseness, so make sure your application reflects that. Don’t be shy about sharing your successes!
Be Proactive:Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you; show us how you can spot and assess funding opportunities. We love candidates who take initiative and can demonstrate their ability to think commercially while aligning with our social impact.
Keep It Organised:Managing multiple deadlines is key in this role. Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to follow. We appreciate a clear timeline of your process and how you plan to keep things moving smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at RIFT Social Enterprise
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, take some time to understand how the organisation's work changes lives. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how funding can make a difference, especially for those facing barriers to employment. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about the mission.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since strong writing skills are crucial for this role, prepare a few examples of your previous grant applications or proposals. Highlight your ability to tailor your writing to different audiences. If you have any success stories from past bids, share them to demonstrate your effectiveness.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity
The organisation values a proactive mindset, so come prepared with ideas on potential funding opportunities that align with their mission. Discuss how you would approach identifying and assessing these opportunities, showing that you can think commercially and strategically.
✨Be Organised and Ready to Multi-task
Given the fast-paced nature of the team, illustrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage multiple deadlines. You might want to share a specific example of a time when you successfully juggled several projects at once, ensuring nothing fell through the cracks.
