Development writer and research officer jobs
The role
At Ability Consultants, we specialise in helping charities, community groups, schools, social enterprises, and CICs to grow and make a bigger impact. From homelessness and health to youth work, arts, disability, and international development, our clients work across some of the most important themes in society. We provide the fundraising expertise so they can focus on delivering life-changing work.
Ability Consultants is proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer, Disability Confident Committed, and a VONNE Membership Plus Organisation. We’re also SHINE accredited - reflecting our commitment to fair, inclusive, and supportive employment practices.
As a Bid Writer: Trusts and Foundations, you’ll play a vital role in securing the income that keeps this work possible. You’ll research opportunities, develop compelling cases for support, and write high-quality funding applications on behalf of our clients. You’ll also help to build strong relationships with funders and ensure excellent stewardship, so that income is sustained and grown.
You might already have proven experience writing successful funding applications, or you could be looking for your next step if you have the skills, passion, and drive to learn. Either way, you’ll be someone with strong writing ability, great attention to detail, and the confidence to work directly with clients to tell their story in a persuasive and impactful way.
In return, you’ll join a supportive and ambitious team that works across the UK and internationally, making a measurable difference every day. If you’re ready to use your talent to help non-profits thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
Important Information
How to Apply: You can visit our website to download an application pack. Please apply by sending us a copy of your CV and a covering letter (optional) to the email address in the job pack with the subject heading ‘Recruitment – Bid Writer: T&F. If you have any difficulties accessing our documents please get in touch with us.
Closing Date: 19/12/2025, 23:59
Role: Bid Writer (Trusts & Foundations) | Hours: 40 Hours Per Week | Salary: £28,000 - £29,000 | Period: Permanent
Interviews: Week commencing 5th January 2026 (provisional)
Sifting will take place on an ongoing basis, if successful at sifting stage, we may decide to invite you to an initial virtual call, and if successful a face to face interview may follow.
Got a question?
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email us.
About Ability Consultants
At Ability Consultants, we support our clients everyday to thrive and deliver their vital work, while trusting us with their fundraising and income generation needs. We work across all four nations of the UK and internationally, including partnerships in East Africa.
Our expertise spans a wide range of themes, including homelessness, equality and diversity, sport, suicide prevention, addiction, youth work, disability, health, food poverty, the arts, hospice care, international development, and schools. From bid writing and funding strategies to senior management support, and organisational development, we give charities, CIC and community organisations the tools and capacity they need to succeed.
Thank you!
Asylum Justice is the only charity in Wales - and one of very few in the UK - providing free legal advice and representation to people seeking asylum, refugees, and other migrants who are excluded from legal aid. Every day, we help people navigate a hostile system, challenge injustice, and secure safety for themselves and their families.
Demand for our services is higher than ever. In the past year alone, our caseload increased by nearly 50%, and we've taken on more complex, urgent cases - including supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and people at immediate risk of destitution or deportation.
We’re now looking for a Funding Officer to join our small, committed team and help secure the resources we need to sustain and grow our work. This is a chance to make a tangible difference - not just in helping us meet income targets, but in strengthening access to justice for some of the most marginalised people in Wales.
The role is hybrid working (Cardiff office and remote working) but fully remote working may also be considered. We are open to compressed hours or part-time working (minimum 28 hours) for the right candidate. We also welcome applications from people interested in a job share arrangement.
About the role
This is a hands-on, varied role that combines fundraising, relationship management, and impact storytelling. You’ll work closely with our Legal Director and wider team to:
- Research and identify funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, and statutory sources
- Write compelling funding bids and reports that reflect our impact and values
- Maintain excellent relationships with funders and support project coordination with delivery partners
- Coordinate grant reporting and keep accurate records of income, spend, and deadlines
- Support internal monitoring and evaluation to strengthen our evidence base
- Help develop our approach to individual giving, fundraising events, and donor communications
We’re looking for someone who shares our commitment to justice and anti-racism, and who brings strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach.
Who we’re looking for
We don’t expect you to know everything from day one - we’re open to candidates with transferable skills from across the charity, campaigning, or community sectors. You might have experience as a fundraiser, grant writer, project officer, or in a policy/impact role where writing and relationship-building are key.
What matters most is that you're passionate about what we do, committed to equity and inclusion, and eager to learn and contribute.
What we offer
- A supportive, mission-driven team working in solidarity with people seeking asylum
- Flexibility around working days, location, and hours
- An organisational culture that prioritises wellbeing and psychological safety
- The chance to shape an ambitious and growing organisation at a pivotal time
Thank you!
About Us
Caritas Diocese of Salford is the principal social action agency of the Catholic Diocese. Our mission is to put Love Into Action. We help those across Greater Manchester and Lancashire experiencing poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy, and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world, where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.
About the job
We are looking to recruit a Grants and Foundations Officer to join Caritas Salford’s fundraising team. You will be part of a team that is passionate about tackling poverty and inequality, where your work will have a real and visible impact. Your focus will be on maintaining and growing income from charitable trusts and statutory agencies.
As a Grants and Foundations Officer, you will work closely with senior managers and service managers, researching potential funders, securing funding from trusts, foundations and other potential funding partners. As well as building and stewarding lasting relationships that will help sustain and grow Caritas’ mission. We will support your development, helping you grow your fundraising skills, take on complex projects and help shape bids for commissioned services.
You will have excellent interpersonal skills, strong research and analytical expertise, be highly organised and confident in using IT systems and digital tools for research, communication and data management. Additionally, you will have the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, plus a willingness to learn from others about fundraising and social impact.
37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekends required.
Part time would be considered
Flexibility to work remotely, with regular visits to Caritas services across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
If this sounds like the next step you are looking for and you would like to work for an organisation passionate about transforming lives, we would love to hear from you!
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to interview/ appoint before the closing date. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged.
To apply, please complete an application form and click the link in the advert to be redirected to the Caritas website. You will need to click Apply Now next to the Grants and Foundations Officer role, complete the necessary information and upload your application form plus any supporting documents.
Closing date: Thursday, 8 January 2026 at 9am
Interview: Monday, 19 and/or Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Caritas follows Safer Recruitment practices, and this post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
For full details please visit Caritas Diocese of Salford - Caritas | Diocese Of Salford – About - Careers
Caritas Diocese of Salford is an equal opportunities employer
Registered Charity Number: 1125808
Please note we do not accept applications via agencies or CVs
Registered Charity
101 - 500
To help people across the Diocese of Salford experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is looking for a proactive individual with good storytelling skills to produce fundraising applications and reports that inspire. As part of GCT’s Fundraising & Communications team, you will work closely with the Senior Development Manager to secure grant funding from Trusts & Foundations across our programme portfolio (including island restoration, community resilience, ocean protection and plastic pollution topics), with an increasing focus on securing multi-year funding to embed sustainability in our programme delivery.
You will be a great writer, researcher and comfortable working with numbers, enabling you to identify new fundraising opportunities and develop engaging proposals and reports with clear budgets. You will also be an organised individual with great attention to detail, ensuring you can effectively balance your time across competing deadlines and tasks.
We are looking for someone with:
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1-2 years proven experience in Trusts & Foundations fundraising.
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Experience working with budgets in Excel.
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Experience of working with a database and managing contact lists and records.
Key responsibilities:
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Increasing restricted & unrestricted income from Trusts & Foundations in line with GCT’s fundraising strategy with the Senior Development Manager
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Supporting keeping our database, internal documents and files up-to-date and GDPR compliant for Trusts & Foundations and external contacts.
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Producing high quality proposals and reports, ensuring consultation of key GCT team members and partners in their development, and submitting these to meet all deadlines.
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Support the Senior Development Manager with applications for multi-year grants, such as writing and budget inputs, Theory of Change inputs and organising supplementary materials.
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Helping to maintain excellent relationships with existing funders via bespoke outreach and thank you letters, project updates as appropriate, and semi-regular communications on GCT materials/events.
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Proactively researching potential funders and supporting the Senior Development Manager and Senior Leadership Team members on their cultivation.
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Reviewing fundraising success from Trusts & Foundations and developing annual fundraising plans with the Senior Development Manager.
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Supporting the Senior Development Manager with Trusts & Foundations income and fundraising pipeline updates to GCT’s Senior Leadership Team and Trustees as required.
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When grants are successful, lead or support the Senior Development Manager with handover actions to the Programmes team to ensure project budgets, timelines and donor expectations are clear.
Please see the full Job Description for more information.
About GCT
GCT is the only UK registered charity to focus exclusively on the conservation and sustainable development of the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador are one of the planet’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a global conservation priority due to unique biodiversity. It is an exciting time to join GCT, as we are about to launch our 2026-2028 strategy, as we strive to achieve our key ambitions by the year 2030 across our programmes, fundraising and communications efforts.
Why join us?
Not only will you gain a connection with cutting edge conservation impact in Galapagos, but you will have the support of a fully engaged, friendly and inclusive staff team. GCT value every team members growth, and to boost your fundraising career, you will get opportunities to develop your skills with internal training from GCT’s senior fundraising team as well as opportunities to benefit from professional external training to support further development where relevant and feasible.
How to apply
GCT welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
To apply for this role, please provide (i) a CV and a (ii) a covering letter explaining how you meet the key requirements of the role and your motivation for applying.
Closing Date: midday (GMT) Wednesday 3rd December. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so submitting your application early is encouraged as the role may be filled early.
GCT welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
To apply for this role, please send (i) a CV and a (ii) a covering letter explaining how you meet the key requirements of the role and your motivation for applying to the GCT inbox which can be found on our website.
Closing Date: midday (GMT) Wednesday 3rd December. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so submitting your application early is encouraged as the role may be filled early.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
The Trust supports, develops & promotes projects that achieve measurable conservation, sustainable living & protection of the environment in Galapagos
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Reporting to: CEO
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,700 - £33,800 pro rata
Hours: 35 hours per week. On site. Some evening and weekend work may be required.
Location: Charleston in Firle (BN8 6LL) & Charleston in Lewes (BN7 1FB)
The Facilities Manager will ensure a safe, well-maintained, and welcoming environment across Charleston’s two sites at Firle and in central Lewes. The postholder will oversee the day-to-day facilities operations of both sites, including security, building maintenance and health & safety procedures.This role requires the post holder to carry out physically demanding tasks such as moving furniture and other manual handling.
Duties and responsibilities
Operations and facilities
- Responsibility for the management of Charleston’s buildings and facilities.
- Coordinate and oversee cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and supplies, ensuring smooth, cost-effective operations.
- Manage supplier and contracts relationships including waste management, building maintenance, cleaning and security; review chosen suppliers against Charleston’s criteria including value for money.
- Act as the main contact for tenants and ensure efficient resolution of queries.
- Oversee the relationship with the external IT provider to ensure organisational IT requirements are met and value for money achieved.
- Work closely with the Head of Collections and Research and Head of Exhibitions to maintain excellent environmental conditions for the protection of the house and objects.
- Proactively improve the sites in collaboration with the Visitor Experience Manager, leading on wayfinding, sustainability, and access initiatives.
- Actively manage and monitor the annual operations and utilities budgets, seeking cost savings and service improvements through regular contract reviews.
- Maintain records to ensure any discrepancies are followed up, allowing pro-active, timely review of invoices.
Site maintenance
- Schedule and manage routine, preventative, and emergency maintenance.
- Ensure regular inspections of plant and equipment to deliver safe operational standards, documenting results and addressing concerns proactively.
- Carry out maintenance requirements and lead on scheduling external contractors as required.
- Schedule regular contractors as required for servicing and maintenance visits.
- Hands-on approach with the ability and willingness to carry out minor repairs and fixes as needed.
- Actively manage and monitor the budget for site maintenance.
- Research and source cost effective and sustainable materials and supplies.
- Maintain records to allow proactive timely review of invoices and follow up of any discrepancies.
Health and Safety
- Lead annual health and safety reviews and ensure compliance with all regulations.
- Support the development of comprehensive method statements and risk assessments for all areas of work throughout the gallery, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Carry out operational maintenance work identified by Health and Safety assessments.
- Attend and contribute to monthly Health & Safety meetings.
- Work with the Visitor Experience Manager to ensure all facilities are accessible and inclusive for visitors with additional needs.
Emergency and security procedures
- Act as a keyholder and respond to emergency callouts as required.
- Manage building security systems and records and serve as Fire Marshal.
- Lead staff inductions on emergency and security procedures.
General duties
- To act at all times in the best interests of Charleston.
- Ensure that data capture, storage and processing related to finance and resources activity complies with Charleston’s policies and GDPR regulations.
- Undertake any other duties as agreed with your Line Manager.
- To work flexibly to best meet the needs of the organisation.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder will be expected to take on additional tasks when required; these tasks will be in keeping with the general profile of the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.