Programme Manager (Grants)

We are looking for someone with a good understanding of social issues and community needs coupled with sound administrative and management skills to join our team as a Grants Programme Manager.

Every year, we award grants to hundreds of local charities and community organisations through our discretionary and third–party programmes and partnerships. This role sits at the heart of DCF's philanthropic work, managing the day–to–day operation of our grant making programmes and schemes, and providing an essential link between donors and the work they are funding. As our Programme Manager you'll develop and deliver effective grant making programmes that make a difference. You'll assess funding requests, advise panels and committees, and monitor and report on grants made. You'll support the Foundation's research, data analysis and the development of new initiatives. You'll have the skills to build relationships with a range of stakeholders, communicate clearly and consistently, and promote and advise on our grant schemes with confidence. You don't need to have previously worked in grant making. But you need to be analytical, a clear communicator, and confident working with data and systems. You don't need to have a degree, but you'll be committed to your own learning and development.

You'll join a small, dedicated, friendly team, but will work flexibly across the organisation. You will believe in backing the brilliant work of small, local charities, and embracing equality and diversity. You'll be someone who takes individual and collective responsibility, taking your work seriously, but not yourself.

Responsibilities

Managing grants programmes

Oversee and monitor budgets and spend within grant programmes
Use IT systems and processes effectively to manage programmes, keeping them up–to–date and accurate.
Develop and use criteria to ensure clear outcomes and aims within grant programmes
Assess grant applications and make informed, evidence–based recommendations and risk assessments
Maintain positive and proactive relationships with applicants and grant holders, resolving any complaints or queries professionally and in a timely manner. Facilitate opportunities for grant holders to come together as appropriate for learning and connection
Work with partners and other team members to ensure monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements are met, and that learning is shared
Work closely with the Finance and Operations Team to ensure the smooth processing of payments and monitor fund balances
Work with donors and partners to determine and review funding priorities and develop appropriate grant making programmes. Resolve any queries in a professional and timely manner
Work alongside the team's administrative support to recruit and manage panels, steering or advisory groups as necessary to support our grant making. Work pro–actively to ensure a diverse range of voices are heard within these groups.
Work with the communications assistant to plan and implement communications plans for each programme to promote available funds, and share learning and impact, contribute to news, stories, and blogs as necessary.
Work with other team members to understand community assets and challenges and maintain an overview and awareness of challenges and opportunities within the VCSE sector across Devon and beyond, to inform effective grant making. Undertake visits as necessary to facilitate this.
Oversee and coordinate specific programmes of work to enhance our grant making

Wider Teamwork

Participate in and contribute to team and organisation wide meetings; contribute to regular reporting to trustees
Take on additional tasks as required to support the team, and the Foundation as a whole
Occasionally there is a need to be available for work outside standard working hours
Contribute to the creation and implementation of DCF's overall mission and vision and grant making strategy

Person Specification

Essential

Experience of working with local community initiatives, projects and groups to access funding or with an organisation that provides funding to community organisations or individuals.
Relationship management skills – developing and maintaining positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
Experience of working on projects or programmes with clear recording and reporting systems and process frameworks.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – including presentation, written and verbal – for a range of audiences
Be an effective team member, knowing when to involve others and respecting their workloads
Good time management and organisational skills, ability to act on own initiative, work autonomously and flexibly and to prioritise often competing deadlines and a heavy workload effectively.
Active commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout your work
Innovative, with good problem–solving skills and a constructive, solution–focussed approach
Strong budgeting and financial management skills
Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Word, Outlook & Excel) – word processing, email, spreadsheets.

Desirable

Digital skills demonstrated via a range of platforms
Experience of devising and applying criteria
Experience of devising and assessing grant applications
Experience of using a grant management system
Experience of developing outcome focused monitoring frameworks
Ability to write content for websites and social media
Experience of supporting community groups and organisations to build their organisational capacity.
Experience in the use of ICT systems for record keeping

Knowledge:

Essential

Knowledge of the grant funding landscape, grant funding processes and approaches to social financing

Desirable

An understanding of how the voluntary sector (VCSE) works and its fit within a wider system.

Other relevant factors:

Essential

Availability to work outside standard working hours on occasion.
Ability to travel around the County (Devon, Plymouth and Torbay)

Hours: 30 hours per week, between Monday and Thursday each week. Flexi–working is available within the constraints of having the office resourced 0900 –1700 Monday to Thursday and needs to be agreed with the Programmes Team Manager

Interview date : 28th July