Grants Officer
Moira, Leicestershire

The Company

The National Forest Company (NFC) is leading the creation of a restored forest landscape in the heart of the Midlands, an area left scarred by years of coal mining and heavy industry.

Since 1995, we’ve been creating a forest on a scale not seen in England for 1,000 years and so far we’ve planted nearly 9 million trees across 200 square miles across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. And we aren’t finished yet…

This is a crucial moment in the development of both the National Forest and the National Forest Company, with a new 25-Year Vision for the National Forest, a new Corporate Plan for the Company, and a renewed focus and purpose in light of the urgency of climate change. 200 square miles, three decades, 9 million trees planted, and forest cover having increased from 6% to 22% - we have a track record of making things happen.

The National Forest is one of the boldest environmentally led regeneration initiatives in the country, and we are now looking to expand our team to put us on track to meet 33% forest cover by 2045. We believe trees are the catalyst for change, enabling nature, society, and the economy to thrive by working together. We believe a positive future is possible – and we can show it’s happening, here and now.

We’re now looking for a Grants Officer to join our team to support our grant programmes for tree planting, woodland creation, and management of woodlands and other habitats. We are open to both part-time (25 hours per week over 4 or 5 days) and full-time (37 hours per week) applicants.

The Benefits

- A salary of £29,179 - £32,160 pro rata per annum
- Annual bonus
- Option to join the Civil Service Pension scheme
- 30 days’ annual leave and 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme - a free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice service available to staff
- Flexible working
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Gym membership discounts

This is an exciting opportunity for a grants professional from an environmental, economic or community background to grow their career prospects as part of our innovative, environmental organisation.

You’ll discover we are about so much more than just planting trees. We’re pioneering new ways of working so that people and businesses can engage with the Forest, we are developing the perfect habitats for thriving wildlife, creating opportunities for farmland and rural businesses.

The Role

As a Grants Officer, you will play a key role in our grants programmes which provide valuable funding for tree planting, woodland creation and habitat management.

Delivering a range of grant administration activities, you will support the development and implementation of consistent and compliant grant processes. This will include guidance for applicants, contracts, appraisal and approval processes.

Additionally, you will support tourism, economy, arts and community grants, as well as working with legacy grant applicants to provide advice and ensure ongoing contract obligations are met.

About You

To be considered as our Grants Officer, you will need:

- At least three years’ experience administering grant programmes that deliver either environment, economic or community benefits
- Knowledge of grants administration procedures, protocols and customer care
- Excellent project and budget management skills with the capacity to deliver a varied work programme
- Superb written and verbal communication skills and a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with a specific focus on compliance and value for money
- The ability to meet deadlines and achieve targets
- A commitment to environmental issues and equal opportunities
- A degree (or equivalent)

Experience of using budgeting and accounting software such as SAGE would be advantageous to your application. Experience of building and maintaining professional relationships with a range of stakeholders would also be beneficial.

Knowledge of Government Grants Functional Standards (GovS 015) would be equally favourable, as would knowledge of government grant schemes and funding for tree planting and woodland creation. Knowledge and understanding of the National Forest would also be desirable.

Other organisations may call this role Research Grants Officer, Grants Support Officer, Grants Operations Officer, Funding Officer, Grants Administrator, Grants Finance Officer, Development Officer, or Grants Manager.

The closing date for this role is 1st August 2022.

Webrecruit and The National Forest are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

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