Funding Officer in London

Job Description

Social connections and community activities are at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. That’s why through The National Lottery Community Fund Strategy 2023-2030 we’re looking to make a bigger difference in the years ahead, by listening and responding to communities and by focusing on supporting bolder change.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we plan to distribute at least £4 billion of funding by 2030. Supporting projects that will create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Projects that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.

We are looking to recruit two Funding Officers (one permanent and one FTC until March 2027) to join the London, Southeast and East Team (LSE&E), within the Strategy, Learning Partnerships team (SLP). You’ll be part of a team, led by a Funding Manager and comprised of several other Funding Officers.

The LSE&E team is headed up by a Senior Head of Regional Funding, together with regional leads. There are 5 local patches for the South East and East and 3 local patches for London.

The SLP team purpose is to:

• Enable and lead grant making across geographical boundaries within the LSE&E region & across England
• Ensure intentional and responsive grant making responds to sector needs, is impactful, focused and mission aligned
• Build evidence & drive continuous learning and impact in the mission areas and our equity-based approach
• Provide regional leadership for external engagement, partnerships & funder collaborations & lead and / or support project teams across LSE&E and share best practice

SLP does this through:

• Supporting LSE&E regional strategy, grant making and learning
• Working strategically with England wide colleagues on responsive funding and Partnership – working beyond LSE&E and across the England regions.
• Working with LSE&E colleagues, the Regional Leadership Team and England Wide
• Unlike other LSE&E patch-based Funding Officers, SLP has a uniquely collaborative function, working together with local patches, the region as a whole and across England. Therefore the Funding Officers for SLP must have a strategic, flexible and collaborative approach.

Your role:

• In Responsive Grant making, you will support the pipeline of ideas across two or more LSE&E local patches, assessing by The Fund's priorities and missions and using understanding of regional priorities.  
• Using regional priorities and new IMD data, you will be horizon scanning opportunities for intentional external engagement and contribute to the LSE&E Regional Funding Plans.  
• You will support strategic funding England Wide and exploring potential partnerships. You may support the region with Funding Mechanisms that will enable flexible grant making.  
• You will support SLP to drive continuous learning within the LSE&E region and to implement high quality and relevant learning & events that meet the strategic objectives of the region.

In return we can offer the opportunity to work with one of the largest funders in the UK. 

Working in SLP is a good opportunity to collaboratively across LSE&E and England Wide. It is an opportunity to work strategically, with complexity and to hone your leadership skills. You will support colleagues and work with the Regional Leadership Team to support strategic plans for the region.

This is a fast-paced role that requires an ability to manage a large workload with & prioritise, with minimal supervision.

Interview details:

• Dates: 10th, 11th and 15th June
• Format: Virtual
• Location: We have a hybrid approach to working, work pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate. London is the regional Office.  

You’ll ideally be based in London or within a couple of hours reach. The role does require travel to London at least once a month, and occasionally more frequently — up to once a week during peak periods

We will be hosting a briefing session on Wednesday 20th May, 9:45am. To register for the session or for any questions about the recruitment process, please email us from the link.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: Deborah Meyer-Lewis.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application. (NOT the Funding Officer attachment)

Essential Criteria

• Strategic Direction - A strong understanding of the Fund’s Priorities and Missions, how this contributes to the achievement of team and organisational goals and how this applies to grant making.  
• Responsiveness & Managing Competing demands –You should have a flexible approach, a can-do attitude and the ability to pivot between different funding programmes & audiences. An ability to manage a large, varied workload, prioritise with minimal supervision, and keep your Manager up to date on key issues and risks.  
• Working together – A strong team player, take’s time to build relationships, collaborate and contribute to team processes that remove silos and nurture a culture of mutual support. You drive higher performance across interconnected teams. You adjust your personal work styles and practices accordingly.  
• Responsiveness to change & feedback - The SLP team is working on new projects that are subject to reflection and change. You should be flexible and open to supporting continuous learning and change and be able to adapt your approach as needed. You promptly address concerns and actively seek feedback and opportunities for continuous improvement.  
• Visibility - Actively participates in cross functional teams and collaborates with other directorates to achieve common goals. You should have strong written and verbal communication skills for engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Confident to convene & give presentation to different audiences.  
• Leading our culture / Developing Self and others – Understands the importance of The Fund's Equity Diversity and Inclusion focus. Contributes to an inclusive environment through understanding the views and experiences of others. Considers personal and professional development as well as supporting needs of team members.  
• Delivering Quality Results: A strong ability to promote learning and foster a culture of continuous development. Ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving objectives. You should be able to clearly communicate desired results and ensure others feel supported and feel motivated to achieve.  
• Diligence and Control – Your conduct, behaviour and duties are positive and carried out in line with set expectations and policy and/or regulatory considerations.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition).