Grants Officer LEF 

Location: London (hybrid: 2 days in office, remainder flexible)
Salary: £33,728 FTE
Contract: Full-time, permanent (4 days considered)

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with LEF, a social justice foundation that is committed to strengthening the power of communities to use and shape the law.

This is a brilliant opportunity to join a thoughtful and ambitious organisation at an exciting point in its journey, they are early in a new five-year strategy focused on the role of law in achieving social justice across the UK.

The organisation works to support communities tackling the root causes of injustice, funding organisations that connect legal frameworks with real-world change.

If you’re passionate about social justice, relationships-led grant making, and learning alongside the organisations you fund, this could be a great next step.

About the role

As Grants Officer, you’ll play a key role in delivering a collaborative and inclusive grant-making approach, supporting work that brings the law closer to communities.

You’ll be part of a small, supportive team and involved across the full grant lifecycle from early conversations with applicants through to assessment, decision-making and ongoing grant management.

This is a role with real scope to contribute ideas, shape practice, and deepen how the organisation works with its partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting applicants and helping develop a strong pipeline of grant applications
• Assessing proposals for funding including reviewing financial and other organisational information
• Building trusted, thoughtful relationships with funded partners
• Managing a portfolio of grants and supporting partners over time
• Contributing to learning, reflection and continuous improvement across the grants team
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to strengthen processes and practice

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to wider conversations about social justice, funding practice, and the external environment.

About you

They are looking for someone who brings both practical experience and a strong alignment with the organisation’s mission and values.

You might already be working in grants, or you may be looking to bring your experience from the charity or social sector into a grant making role.

You’ll likely bring:

• Experience building and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience working or volunteering in the charity or social sector
• Experience of managing grants, partnerships or programmes, or equivalent relationships
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to engage sensitively with diverse stakeholders
• Clear and confident communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A collaborative, reflective approach to your work

An understanding of the UK social justice landscape or lived experience connected to the organisation’s mission, would be valuable, but is not essential.

If you don’t tick every box, we’d still encourage you to apply.

A values-led and reflective funder

LEF is committed to actively addressing power imbalances in grant making and centring the voices of communities most affected by injustice.

Its work is guided by a strong focus on Power, Culture and Inclusion, recognising both the opportunities and risks within legal systems, and the importance of funding being accountable to those it exists to serve.

This is a team that takes learning seriously and is open about evolving its approach. 

Why this role?

This is a chance to:

• Work closely with organisations driving real social change
• Be part of a funder actively rethinking power and practice
• Contribute to a collaborative and learning-oriented team
• Develop your career in values-led grant making

Equity, inclusion and accessibility

The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and working environment.

• Flexible working is supported (minimum 4 days per week considered)
• Hybrid working with a central London base
• Commitment to workplace adjustments and accessibility
• Guaranteed interviews for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria

People with lived experience of social welfare legal issues are currently underrepresented in the organisation, and applications from candidates bringing this perspective are particularly welcomed.

Interested?

If you think this role may be for you and you would like more information or an informal conversation, please contact Abi Blank at Charity People, abi@charitypeople.co.uk

The application process and what it involves can be found on PAGE 11 of the Job Pack, please send CV and Qualifying Questions document to abi@charitypeople.co.uk and will consist of brief written responses (rather than a traditional academic CV-heavy process), designed to help you demonstrate your experience in a more accessible and relevant way.

Deadline and Important Dates

Tuesday 14^th July – Application deadline 9 am
Friday 17^th July – Client shortlisting completed and applicants informed of interview
Wednesday 22^nd July and Thursday 23^rd July – Online Interviews
Monday 27^th July and Tuesday 28^th July– Face to Face Interviews on site

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.