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Job description

To work alongside our Contracts & Tender Manager to find new Trusts and Foundations that can support the work of Extern. Your main task will be to carry out detailed research, identifying Trusts and Foundations that are a good match for our services and have the potential to support our work. To support new business development work by assisting with all aspects of funding opportunities, developing pipeline of funding opportunities from Trusts and Foundations, drafting of applications, working to deadlines and ensuring that we present strong bids for all funding opportunities that we progress. For funding wins to stay in touch with staff from various services across Extern (e.g. homelessness, addictions, education training and children’s respite facilities) to gather the relevant information for funder reports, ensuring we meet all funder terms and conditions, from Grant Award Date through to Grant Completion Date.

Responsibilities

• Generate income from Trusts and Foundations mainly in the UK and Ireland
• Develop a tracker of Trusts and Foundations opportunities, including researching potential new Trust and Foundations that Extern has never secured funds from to date
• Work with Extern staff across a range of our services and prepare funding proposals and thereafter, ensure effective grant management
• Draft funding applications, to be reviewed and signed off by the Tender & Contracts Manager, before submission
• Write compelling funding applications and grant reports to Trusts and Foundations with the ability to target different audiences and tailor output accordingly
• Engage with our Finance Team and staff to develop draft budgets for all funding applications
• For all new funding applications wins, share details in a standard format with relevant staff so they understand all the terms and conditions associated with each new grant awarded
• Schedule regular meetings with staff, to ensure that all new grants awarded, are being spent in a timely manner and within budget and within all grant terms and conditions
• Ensure all grant expenditures and reporting adhere to the requirements of each Trust Foundation, working closely with the Finance Team and Service Staff to maintain accuracy.
• Provide regular management reports to the Contracts and Tender Manager on financial progress, including updates on the pipeline, applications in progress pending awarded. Suggest contingency actions to address potential income shortfalls.
• Willing to represent the charity at external events Maintain a database of all funding applications submitted and outcomes
• Be willing to upskill and learn about the tender portals in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, to deputize for the Contracts and Tender Manager (training to be provided)
• Adhere to safeguarding procedures and relevant internal and external policies and standards at all times. Attend mandatory safeguarding training.
• Keep abreast of current practice developments, research, legislation and Extern’s policies and procedures. Attend appropriate training when required and apply learning to job role. Deputize as directed in the absence of the Tenders and Contracts
• To be organised and pay attention to the details
• To build strong relationships with staff with respect to gathering all the insights and knowledge to write quality funding applications.
• To be a good writer, communicating ideas effectively on paper with an ability to analyse large volumes of information to develop clear and compelling responses to funding opportunities.
• You will be responsible for keeping everything organised making sure all the details are tracked, reporting deadlines are met, and everyone has the information they need.
• To deputise as directed in the absence of the Tenders and Contracts Manager.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Minimum of a Degree level qualification in management, business, social policy, youth / community work or similar
• Minimum of two years recent, relevant experience in writing funding applications for Trusts and Foundations
• Experience of managing funded grants including review of financial information, preparation of funder reports and meeting funder compliance
• Familiarity with funder databases (e.g. NICVA ‘Grant Finder’ or The Wheel ‘Funding Point’)
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding income targets from Trusts / Foundations
• Can display a flair and high level of competence for producing excellent written work
• Skilled in working collaboratively in a team environment to create quality funding applications
• Strong financial acumen and an understanding of the importance of budget management for funding applications
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task and work to tight deadlines
• Ability to use I.T. systems especially Microsoft Excel, Access or similar to support the development of a Funding Pipeline Database
• Demonstrate the ability to work on own initiative and use judgement to solve problems and respond to others
• Full UK diving licence and access to use of a car.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of tender portals in Northern Ireland and or Republic of Ireland e.g. E Tenders NI E Tenders.ie