Food Systems Expert Panel Member

The National Lottery Community Fund wishes to recruit an external member for the Climate Action Fund Decision Panel. The Chair of the UK Funding Committee invites applications for the position of external member of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund Decision Panel.

Background: The Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It launched the Climate Action Fund in 2019 as a long-term commitment to support communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in positive environmental action. Since its launch, the Climate Action Fund has awarded over £182m to communities across the UK, including over 175 larger projects and over 440 small grants delivered through Together for Our Planet, a funding programme in support of COP26. The programme has always had a test and learn ethos, with each strand of funding building on learning to date. In January 2026, the Climate Action Fund launched a new strand of funding - Food Systems, focusing on strengthening food systems across the UK while reducing food insecurity for people and communities, without harming the planet.

Role Specification: The Climate Action Fund is seeking a subject matter expert in food systems, who will complement our existing panel and support our work across the UK. They will have an understanding of the holistic aims we seek to address in supporting long term solutions that will benefit both climate, environment and nature, and people and communities. The Climate Action Fund Decision Panel has delegated authority from the UK Funding Committee to make funding decisions on Climate Action Fund Programmes.

Person Specification:

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the food system across the UK, with a focus on agroecology and systemic ways to strengthen our food system and reduce food insecurity.
• Ability to contribute effectively to the development of this strand of funding and wider work of The Fund in relation to food systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, team working, communication and representational skills.
• Ability to engage and influence relationships with stakeholders.
• Personal and operational integrity, with a commitment to improving equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Clear understanding and commitment to building strong and connected communities across the UK.
• Ability to deliver operational transformation and culture improvement in a large organisation.
• Strong commitment to engaging communities across the UK.

Interview details: Interviews will take place in early July with appointments confirmed by the end of July. Format: Online.

How to apply: Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement with a maximum of 1000 words explaining how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• An advocate and ambassador for The Fund with a demonstrable commitment to its mission and purpose.
• Understanding and experience at a senior level of community organisations.
• Experience of systems change work and how that translates to community centred funding.
• Experience and understanding of food systems, particularly in alignment with our funding aims.
• Experience of influencing or shaping food systems policy from a community perspective.
• A demonstrable commitment to and experience in equity and equitable practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Criteria: An understanding of funding, philanthropy or public sector systems.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We positively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.