Are you passionate about supporting communities to thrive? Do you enjoy building relationships, managing projects and helping great ideas become reality?
We're looking for an enthusiastic and organised Community Funding Officer to join our Community Wellbeing team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in delivering funding programmes that make a lasting difference to the people and communities of West Oxfordshire.
Our Community Wellbeing team is dedicated to helping residents live their best lives. Everything we do is guided by our shared values of collaboration, trust, respect, innovation and empathy. As our Community Funding Officer, you'll be at the heart of this work, ensuring that council funding reaches the projects and organisations that will have the greatest impact.
As the Council's lead officer for community grants, you will manage our funding programmes from concept through to evaluation. You'll work closely with community groups, voluntary organisations, Councillors and colleagues to develop funding opportunities, support applicants and ensure investment delivers meaningful outcomes for local people.
You'll oversee the Council's flagship grant programmes, including our civic crowdfunding platform and Community Services Investment Fund, while also managing additional funding initiatives on behalf of the Council and external partners.
This is a varied role that combines programme management, stakeholder engagement, financial oversight and strategic development, making it ideal for someone who enjoys working collaboratively and making a tangible difference. Some of your other responsibilities:
- Lead the delivery of the Council's community grant programmes from design and promotion through to assessment, monitoring and impact evaluation.
- Build strong relationships with community groups, voluntary organisations, Councillors and partners, providing advice and guidance throughout the funding application process.
- Prepare reports and presentations for senior management and Council meetings.
- Ensure all funding activity complies with relevant legislation, policies and best practice.
You will need
- A qualification in your area of expertise, equivalent to a degree or relevant experience of five years in Grants management or similar.
- Minimum two years’ experience of working with budget/financial information.
- Experience of working in or with the voluntary sector and/or a local authority.
- Independent creative thinker with the determination to
find solutions when faced with complex issues.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with a logical and systematic approach to tasks and a keen eye for detail.
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.
You are very welcome to contact Heather McCulloch for an informal chat ahead of making an application - 01993 861562 or email [email protected].
Closing Date - Wednesday 19th August
Interview Date - Thursday 3rd September
Special Conditions
- Use of a car for work purposes
Vacancies can close earlier than stated if a high number of applications have been received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Previous applicants for the Community Funding Officer role need not apply.
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What we can do for you
- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
- Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
- 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years’ service and 33 days following 10 years’ continuous service
- In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
- Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
- Generous contributory local government pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements