Funding officer jobs

Funding Officer, FTC to 31/12/2026

We are recruiting a full time (part time considered) Funding Officer working across Leicester and Leicestershire on a fixed term contract basis. You’ll be part of a team of 9, led by two Funding Managers and working alongside 6 other Funding Officers, as part of a patch covering Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Coventry, within a larger Midlands team.

Ideally you will live in or near to Leicestershire or have excellent knowledge of the county. This role is classed as mobile working which means you will be expected to work from and visit several locations across the area, including your home. The ability to drive and have access to a vehicle is therefore beneficial, although not essential.

You will assess applications for funding and manage grants using local knowledge, best practice, thematic expertise and the experience of customers and stakeholders to improve our grant making and inform our decision making.

By working closely with people and communities from a defined geographical area, you will understand what matters to them and where our funding can make the biggest difference.

Being responsible for supporting local people and communities, you will have a strong understanding of our vision, our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and our funding products. You will also need to support our stakeholders, helping them to make connections that will help them achieve their goals.

Being responsible for a pipeline of projects you will need to understand and respond to the different needs of our customers by providing advice and considered feedback, and be willing to have challenging but constructive conversations.

You will also ensure that both grant management and assessment play an effective part in contributing to the Fund’s knowledge and learning as a grant maker. You will manage your own caseload, liaise with grant recipients, undertake project visits, identify and manage risk, support organisations to deliver their projects and measure their impact.

You will also need to work within the Fund’s policies and procedures and the necessary legislation, in a way that is in line with our vision and principles.

You will represent the Fund within your local area, including at funding fairs and external meetings, creating opportunities for people to come together. You will share learning from your role with other colleagues so that we can maximise our impact.

Interview details:

• Interview date: 4th February 2026
• Format: In Person
• Location: Leicester

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the hiring manager David Nicklin.

Any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

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.

Essential Criteria:

• Lived Experience or working knowledge of the needs and priorities of communities across Leicestershire and the local third sector.
• Relational skills: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, community organisations and other stakeholders at various levels, with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Analytical skills: Ability to absorb a wide range of information and to make judgement-based decisions with confidence, to challenge when appropriate and manage risk.
• Organisational skills: Ability to use your initiative and manage your own workload with minimal supervision, dealing with competing priorities and deadlines and demonstrating strong self-organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Communication skills: Strong listening, written and verbal communication with an emphasis on report writing for assessment purposes.
• Values driven and passionate about the Fund’s purpose.

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of financial planning, ability to analyse accounts and numerical data and to identify and manage risk.
• Sound IT skills and the ability to learn detailed processes.

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.) 

Funding Officer Role –Strategy Learning and Partnerships Team in the London and South East Region (FTC Until Feb 2027).

Social connections and community activities are at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. That’s why throughThe 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 a Funding Officer to join the London, Southeast and East Team (LSE&E), within the Strategy, Learning Partnerships team (SLP). You will 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 two Senior Grant Making Managers (SGMM) for London & South East. There are 5 local patches for the South East and East and 3 local patches for London.

SLP supports both LSE&E regional grant making, England wide grant making and Partnerships. SLP Funding Officers are involved in England Wide and Partnership Work beyond LSE&E and across England regions. They work with LSE&E colleagues, the Regional Leadership Team and England Wide.

SLP has a uniquely collaborative function, working together with local patches, the region as a whole and across England.

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

Your Responsibilities:

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 the region to deliver to the new routes to partnership and England Wide funding. You will learn about and support the region with Funding Mechanisms that will enable flexible grant making.

You will have an interest in learning and act as the Regional Learning Lead (up to 20% of time – variable according to team / regional priorities).

With oversight from your manager, you will provide leadership to SLP learning and implement high quality and relevant learning & events that meet the strategic objectives of the region.

You will guide and support the LSE&E Mission Leads – these are a group of Funding Officers who support Learning across LSE&E.

You will support them to deliver on learning needs, priorities and events – and work collaboratively alongside the rest of SLP and the Regional Leadership Team (RLT).

In return we can offer the opportunity to develop relevant skills and gain experience working with one of the largest funders in the UK. You can progress to becoming a trained and skilled Funding Officer with good progression routes in the sector.

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

Interview Details:

Interview Dates: 3rd and 5th February 2026

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

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

For any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

​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.

​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 you might apply this in grant making (although Previous responsive grant funding experience is not essential).

• Leading our culture / Developing Self / others – Understands the importance of The Funds 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.

• 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, driving higher performance across interconnected teams. You adjust your personal work styles and practices accordingly.

• ​Delivering Quality Results: A strong ability to promote learning and foster a culture of continuous development. Ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving learning objectives. You should be able to clearly communicate desired results and ensure SLP Learning Leads are supported and feel motivated to achieve what is expected.

• Diligence and Control – Your conduct, behaviour and duties are carried out in line with set expectations and policy and/or regulatory considerations.

• 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 workload, prioritise with minimal supervision, and keep manager up to date on key issues and risks.

• 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. 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.

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.) 

About Tree Aid:

Tree Aid works with people in the drylands of Africa to tackle poverty and the effects of the climate crisis by growing trees and restoring and protecting land. As part of the Great Green Wall movement, we work where trees are needed most, where temperatures are soaring, and fertile land is vanishing at a terrifying rate. Our pioneering approach has been developed over 36 years of operating. We believe in empowering local communities with the tools and training they need to restore and maintain their environment. 

About the role: 

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Programme Funding Officer to join a dynamic team at a growing international development charity based in Bristol, delivering transformational change for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, living on the frontlines of the climate crisis. You will work closely with the Programme Funding team to secure and maximise restricted incoming from institutional donors, trusts, foundations, and corporates across all Tree Aid countries of operation.

Main duties: 

• Support the development and submission of compelling and high-quality proposals and funding applications.
• Generate new restricted income to expand and strengthen Tree Aid’s programme portfolio, including contributing to securing match funding.
• Deliver excellent donor stewardship to build, maintain, and grow strong relationships with a diverse range of funders.
• Identify and research new funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities and share prospects with UK and country teams.
• Support donor reporting by contributing to accurate, timely donor reports and project updates as part of effective donor liaison.

About you:

Experience / Skills

• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to transform complex information into compelling cases for support.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at different levels.
• Proven experience in developing donor proposals and reports and securing funding from institutional donors.
• Experience of donor stewardship.
• Strong numeracy skills and experience reviewing budgets and financial reports.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information.
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Familiarity with fundraising best practice and relevant legislation, including GDPR.
• Proficiency in French (written and spoken) is desirable.

Personal qualities

• A confident and excellent networker with ability to engage and develop relationships with external and internal contacts
• Able to work as part of a cross-cultural team particularly with staff for whom English is not their first language
• Solutions focused
• Able to organise and prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• A commitment to Tree Aid’s values

Benefits: 

Optional benefits of working at Tree Aid include: 

• A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 2% and we will contribute 6%) 
• 33 days holiday (inc bank holidays) +1 more day per year up to 38 holiday days 
• Flexible, hybrid working 
• Quarterly social events 

The Senior Funding Operations Officer is a key role in the Finance and Funding Operations team, that provides operational and financial support across the organisation. 

The role is responsible for:
 

• Grant and contract management activities, ensuring all grants and contracts are progressed appropriately and systems are kept up to date 
• Liaising with teams, both inside the organisation and externally, to ensure the smooth running of grant processes 
• Managing complex operational administrative issues 
• Assuming joint responsibility with the rest of the Finance and Operations team for: maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the grants management system; preventing fraud; providing cover for absent colleagues when required; and performing any other tasks as may reasonably be required for the team to operate effectively. 

Key Responsibilities

•  Grants management (for Impact on Urban Health, NHS Charities and Special fund grants) 
• Managing the process of ensuring ongoing grant requirements (such as reports and milestones) are met, including producing monthly reports of outstanding requirements, supporting Funding Operations Officers with requesting conditions/reports and following up on these requests when not received, and liaising with internal grant managers regarding persistent issues. 
• Managing the post-award workflow for grants, including production of grant documentation and working with grant managers to establish payment and reporting schedules and updating grant management systems. 
• Carrying out due diligence checks on grant applicants. · Producing and actioning reports to ensure that grant records are accurate and properly reflect the stage each grant has reached, in particular, ensuring grants are closed appropriately and any outstanding funds are written back to enable further grant funding. 
• Provide assistance to the Funding Operations Officers with queries regarding post-award processes. 
• Support grant managers with the monitoring of complex grants and portfolios, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions. 
• Ensuring clear audit trail of approval of awards and conditions to ensure efficient execution of grant agreements and payment of grant instalments. 
• Reviewing investment papers for Impact on Urban Health projects 
• Processing of all charitable spend ensuring compliance with grant agreements Contract management  
• Carrying out due diligence checks on new contractors. 
• Maintaining appropriate records in relation to service contracts, including adding and updating contract records on internal systems. 
• Processing of all charitable spend ensuring compliance with signed contracts Special purpose fund management 
• Supporting communications with fund holders, including writing and distributing newsletters, and drafting key messages as required. 
• Providing assistance to Funding Operations Officers with complex queries and management of spending commitments and related invoices. 
• Managing queries from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Finance staff and fundholders in relation to invoice payments.
• Authorisation of Special Purpose Fund expense claims and invoices in absence of Funding Operations Manager. General 
• Providing cover for the Funding Operations Manager, as appropriate. 
• Deputising for the Funding Operations Manager at Executive Investment Committee meetings to contribute to the Funding Operations perspective on discussions about grant applications, due diligences and awards. 
• Assist with the development of Salesforce, new or improved processes, and new ways of working through user testing and development of guidance. 
• Ensure grants and contract records are accurately maintained. ·
• Creating and maintaining reports to support effective management of grants and contracts
• Provide absence cover for other Funding Operations team members as agreed from time-to-time. 
• Support induction of new colleagues across the Foundation, and development and dissemination of guidance. 
• Liaising with Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust finance staff to ensure all charitable payments for the Trust are made in an accurate and timely way and provide regular updates and reports regarding payments due and invoices received. 
• The post holder will be working in a developing environment and will therefore be expected to undertake other appropriate duties as required for the effective operation of the Foundation. 

Role responsibilities are not exhaustive, and you would be reasonably expected to take on wider tasks that are commensurate with the level of your role. 

Skills, abilities, and attributes: 
 

• Self-starter who is adaptable, works with integrity, and exhibits the Foundation’s enterprising, collaborative, inclusive and delivery-minded cultural and behavioural values.
• Willing to learn and develop new skills, and help to develop the knowledge and skills of peers. 
• Committed to the principle of continuous improvement, with careful attention to detail and due process. 
• Committed to delivering consistent and high-quality customer service to both internal and external stakeholders. 
• Good interpersonal skills and able to effectively liaise with both internal and external communities. 
• Confident in communicating well, both in writing and verbally, and exhibits listening and influencing skills. 
• Problem solving skills, able to use initiative and actively seeks pragmatic solutions.
• Good planning and organisational skills, able to work to multiple prioritised tasks, targets and deadlines, with careful attention to detail. 
• Team player, with an ability to support effective working relationships. 
• A self-sufficient individual, who enjoys the challenge of working with multiple stakeholders and complex systems 

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications: 
 

• Familiarity with grant making and grant management processes. 
• Familiarity with financial concepts around invoicing and grant payments. 
• Able to communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing, especially when explaining process. 
• Computer literacy. 
• Experience of grants administration. 
• Experience in financial reconciliations 
• Regular use of database/CRM systems, finance systems and grants management systems.
• Experience using the Microsoft Office suite. Desirable 
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other grant management systems. 
• Some familiarity with health/social care/voluntary sector technical language and organisations. 
• Understanding of contract and supplier management. 
• Experience working within the charity sector. 
• Report development and data analysis skills