Job Description
Job Title: Bid Writer
Reports to: Head of Fundraising
Responsible for: No direct line reports
Salary: c.35k per annum plus benefits
Location: The Poppy Factory, Richmond, Surrey
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours a week.
Key Purpose of Role
The purpose of the role is to successfully secure non voluntary sources of funding to support the future sustainability of The Poppy Factory’s employability service.
This is a new role and in the early stages this role will develop the strategy and framework for statutory income generation. This will include an assessment of the charities’ positioning for statutory income with recommendations to ensure that business development opportunities are maximised.
Main Duties and Responsibilities of Role
1. To develop and successfully implement a bid strategy and framework to achieve a sustainable income stream from statutory funding sources to support the Poppy Factory’s Employability service.
2 To undertake research to identify income and funding opportunities from statutory sources e.g. ESF/DWP.
3 To write high quality, clear and concise applications to prospective funders incorporating case studies and method statements for the bids as required.
4 To work with the Employability team to secure evidence to support the bids.
5 To work with the Fundraising (voluntary income) team to ensure continuity with other income stream generation.
6 To work with the Finance team with regards to bid budgets.
7 To be the organisation lead contact with funding organisations throughout the bid and contract period.
8 To manage the communication between funder and the charity throughout the bid process and administer the Bid pipeline process when required.
9 To undertake effective communication and liaison with staff; managers, charity partners and other stakeholders to ensure proposals are reflective of the charity aspirations.
10 To research and develop intelligence on future opportunities, keeping abreast of the changing public sector and commissioning environment.
11 To develop and undertake effective monitoring and reporting in relation to bids/funders to drive continuous improvement.
12 To support the goals of the wider fundraising team to ensure that the income budget is delivered.
13 To undertake any other duties as the role develops and as may be appropriate taking account of the nature and scope of the role.
General
14 To work in accordance with The Poppy Factory policies and procedures.
15 To work in accordance with the Poppy Factory values and demonstrate through own behaviour in the workplace good equality and diversity practices.
16 To undertake training and development as required and demonstrate a commitment to own professional development.
Person Specification: Bid Writer
Essential Requirements
Education
A good level of academic attainment to minimum A level standard or equivalent
Knowledge/Skills
Excellent written communication skills
Ability to produce compelling and persuasive written materials
Confident and articulate communicator with excellent presentation skills
Self-starting ability with good organisational and planning skills
Project management skills
Good interpersonal and relationship management skills
IT literate and proficient in use of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word; Excel and PowerPoint
Possess knowledge and understanding of statutory funding sources and Government/Local Authority commissioning frameworks
Ability to analyse complex tender documents in order to understand commissioner needs and translate into a coherent response
Numerate able to interpret financial and budgetary information
Experience
Previous work experience in a similar role
Previous experience of writing bids and tenders (including Pre-qualification Questionnaires and responses to Invitations to Tender)
A track record of generating income by winning contracts (DWP/ESF)
Significant research experience
Personal Attributes
Positive and resilient with a “can-do” attitude
Ability to engage effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
Empathy with the aims and values of the Poppy Factory
Desirable Requirements
Knowledge of the disability employment market
Knowledge of social policy in relation to disability employment
Knowledge of HM Services/military charity sector
JDPS November 2016