Grants Manager

Background

The Caerlow Trust (“the Trust”) is a family-led discretionary grant-making trust, governed by four trustees (the Board) that aims to alleviate poverty-related suffering in the United Kingdom.

The Trust’s operating principles are rooted in the basic belief that everyone deserves to have access to sufficient resources such that they are not concerned with day-to-day survival. It aims to achieve this by making grants targeting three main pillars of work: hunger, homelessness, and addiction.

Based in London, the Trust’s founders hope to make significant and meaningful change in the social landscape of London but also to grow to have a nationwide focus over time. The ambition is for the Trust to develop rapidly to become a versatile and flexible organisation that will have a very real impact and make a difference to the lives of the people supported through its grants. 

The Grants Manager will join our small but expanding team at an exciting time, having an important part to play in turning this ambition into reality.

 

Role overview and purpose

The Grants Manager will provide a range of services that will be key to the Trust’s grant management cycle including research,  assessment, database management and development, reporting and evaluation. They will be the key contact for a portfolio of grant applicants and recipients, to support them throughout their relationship with the Trust.

 

Key responsibilities

Grants Management:

·       Managing a portfolio of grants throughout the entire grant cycle including assessment, award, support, monitoring and learning

·       Act as the key contact for grant applicants and recipients, developing positive and supportive working relationships

·       Organising and holding meetings with grantees, including taking notes and following up on actions

·       Administrative tasks relating to grants, including correspondence, drafting and issuing agreements, tracking of applications, reports and payments

 

·       Undertaking scoping work and research about organisations that may be appropriate for funding

·       Reviewing grant applications, undertaking assessments and completing due diligence checks

·       Drafting summaries and papers to support Trustees to make informed decisions  

·       Reviewing grantee reports to evaluate progress and ensure compliance with any grant conditions

·       Support budget management, financial reporting, cashflow monitoring and compliance with charity regulations in relation to grants

·       Provide project management for new activities or grant programmes

·       Working with colleagues and grantees to develop the Trust’s impact reporting capabilities

 

Database and system management

·       Support the development and maintenance of our systems and grant management database, Beacon

·       Ensure all data is accurate, kept up to date and retained in line with data protection regulations

·       Provide support and guidance to grant applicants to access and use the grant application portal

·       Provide support and guidance to Trustees and other external evaluators to use Beacon portal

 

Other responsibilities

·       To represent the Trust at external events

·       To support ongoing improvement in the context of grant-making and organisational development

·       To role model desired behaviours in line with the Trust’s values

·       Provide other ad hoc support to the Director as needed

 

Key internal relationships and reporting lines

·       Receives line management and development from the Director

·       Works closely with other colleagues and volunteers as part of an small effective team

 

This role doesn’t currently have any line management responsibilities but it is likely to in the future as the Trust grows.

 

Person specification

Knowledge and experience:

·       Knowledge and understanding of the issues being supported by the Trust, developed through work or study in a relevant field or through lived experience

·       Knowledge of charity finance, governance best practice, impact measurement and evaluation

·       Experience of the grant management cycle

·       High level of literacy and numeracy, including experience of handling and analysing qualitative and quantitative data

·       High level of IT literacy with experience of working with MS365 applications and CRM databases

·       Experience of liaising with a range of different stakeholders

 

 

Key skills and abilities:

·       Outstanding communications skills with excellent written and spoken English

·       Excellent interpersonal skills

·       Attention to detail and commitment to quality

·       Strong administrative, planning and organising skills

·       Ability to work on your own and use initiative but knows when to seek advice and guidance

·       Ability to identify improvements and propose solutions

·       Collaborative and proactive approach to supporting others in a small team

 

Personal qualities:

·       Commitment to the vision, mission and values of the Trust

·       Dedication to the charity sector and the specific issues that are being addressed by the Trust

·       Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity and inclusion

·       Enthusiasm for continuing personal and professional development

·       Good judgment and integrity

·       Self-aware and empathetic

·       Appreciative of the joy of grant making and sense of humour

·       Adaptable and flexible, happy to work in an evolving and rapidly growing organisation

 

Other requirements

The Caerlow Trust is only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

 

The Grants Manager will be required to travel across the UK as part of their role.

 

Working for the Trust

The Trust is committed to organisational and staff development. We offer various opportunities for staff to learn and develop, with management who are devoted to coaching and development. We encourage staff to attend events such as conferences, expert and donor meetings, to keep abreast of the developments in our areas of focus. The Trust is committed to being a good practice employer. We offer flexible working arrangements and a wide range of staff benefits.