Grants Officer

An exciting opportunity to join our staff team and assist in providing funding that helps transform lives.

The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society – “The Shipwrecked Mariners” for short – was founded in 1839 and operates throughout the British Isles. Our primary purpose is to provide financial help to fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants, both retired and of working age, who are in need. The Society has over 1,200 regular beneficiaries and receives over 600 applications for assistance each year.

To help us continue to provide a great service to mariners and their families, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us in the role of Grants Officer.

Our grants provide practical support for individuals and families that are experiencing severe financial distress and help them stabilise their situation during times of crisis. All our grants are means tested and exclusively focussed on those on low incomes (with little or no savings). A significant number of our grants are provided to those in retirement, however we also support those who are unable to work because of accident, illness, disability, or for compassionate reasons, as well as those who struggling to find employment. Our grants are used to cover a wide range of needs but are primarily aimed at helping people maintain a reasonable and dignified standard of living. We also help those who are struggling with debts as well as providing immediate support to the dependants of seafarers who have died at sea or during accidents ashore.

We are offering this role on a full-time basis, with a minimum of 2 days per week (Tues and Weds) working from our Chichester office, but potential for home working at other times. Some travel will be required for the role, including occasional overnight stays.

To be our ideal candidate you will be:

an experienced, self-starting administrator with excellent communication and IT skills

have  a great eye for detail. But, above all, you will have a clear understanding of and empathy for the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by those we are here to support. If you want to be part of a highly dedicated but relaxed and friendly team, who take great pride in supporting an often-neglected sector of UK Society, then we would love to hear from you.

To apply for this post, please click the ‘apply’ button below where you can send your CV and a supporting letter of no more than two pages of A4 (size 12 font).

Your supporting letter should be focused on:

• Demonstrating how your personal qualities and experiences are closely aligned with the person specification for this role and have previously contributed to positive outcomes in your place(s) of work.
• Examples of your experience related to the key duties and responsibilities of this role.
• Helping us understand how you align with our organisational purpose and have a genuine empathy for the individuals that we support.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 5th July 2026. We will notify those shortlisted for an interview by end of business on Sunday 12th July 2026 and hold face to face interviews on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st July 2026. The preferred start date for this role is 24th August, but we’re happy to be flexible about this for the right candidate.

Candidates must have permission to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society strongly believes in building a diverse team which understands the issues facing its beneficiaries, including those which most affect the quality of life and aspirations of vulnerable individuals and their families.