We have three 12 month, fixed term contract opportunities within our Knowledge and Learning team within the Scotland Directorate.

These are exciting opportunities to join our small team as a Knowledge and Learning Officer, working on a variety of projects to provide informed insight on a range of grant-making themes.

As part of our Knowledge and Learning Team here in Scotland, you will work alongside Funding, and Communication and Engagement teams, as well as Knowledge and Learning colleagues across the UK. The role is flexible and varied, responding to the needs of colleagues and stakeholders to lend research or policy expertise, facilitating engagement events and sharing findings and recommendations.

A key aim of this work is to gather and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from our funding programmes and the policy landscape to shape funding decisions and priorities.

You will be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ of our grant-making work and apply creative approaches to identify and embed learning across geographic and thematic areas.

You will have sound critical thinking, thematic analysis and research skills and an ability to convey effective, impactful information for a variety of audiences.

You will be sensitive to ethics in research design and implementation.

As part of the role you will host and facilitate learning events, both in person and online, and therefore you’ll have sound facilitation and networking skills. Occasionally you will have the opportunity to work with grant-holders, external partners and other funders, requiring excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

You will be collaborative in nature and enjoy working proactively and in partnership with colleagues across the fund. An open, supportive and flexible team working approach is necessary.

You will be adept at managing a busy and varied workload.

You will often be responding to short notice requests for information and guidance, while balancing longer term research/report writing and presentation.

You will be curious to explore and test new ideas and ways of working, to ensure our funding reaches those at greatest need. As such an awareness of public policy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and participation methods would be useful.

Familiarity with digital communication tools would be advantageous.

Interview Date: Week commencing 22nd April in Glasgow

Location: This role is based in our Glasgow office, however we have a flexible, hybrid approach to working. The role will entail occasional travel and potentially overnight stays. Should you have a question on work pattern, please ask.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically, please contact: Lucy McDonald, Head of Knowledge and Learning, lucy.mcdonald@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Any questions about the recruitment process, please email: recruitment@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

Essential criteria

Experience of gathering and sharing evidence to inform learning, including applying qualitative research methods and techniques.

Strong communication and facilitation skills, with experience of holding discussions that enable a range of people to share and discuss ideas.

Excellent report writing skills, and an ability to present information in an engaging and creative way.

A supportive, and responsive, team player with experience of working collaboratively and in partnership to deliver objectives.

Desirable Criteria

An understanding of quantitative research methods, and how they can be used to support qualitative analysis of data.

Familiarity with digital tools that support and enhance how information is captured and conveyed.

Relationship management skills and ability to develop a range of stakeholders and networks to widen the reach of your work.

Knowledge or awareness of the context of the third sector, and key policy and contextual trends which impact communities across Scotland and the UK.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why the National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)

We have four Funding Officer opportunities: three permanent and one Fixed Term Contract till October 2025.

• Are you a confident communicator who enjoys working with people?
• Do you see the potential in ideas as well as the challenges?
• Are you passionate about the power of communities to change things for the better?

You’ll be part of a team of Funding Officers, led by a Funding Manager, responsible for our grant-making activity in a geographical area. There are eight Funding teams in Scotland each covering a different geographical region with between 4 and 8 Funding Officers in each team.

Funding Officers usually work on grant-making activity within one local authority area and are the main point of contact for all grant-holders and applicants in that area.

Role Responsibilities include:

• You will provide advice to prospective applicants, assess applications and will be in regular contact with grant-holders as they progress with their projects. Your recommendations will guide decisions on awarding grants and how we support grant-holders.
• You will contribute to learning and evaluation of our work, outreach and stakeholder engagement in your area. You will ensure that our funding responds to the local context and our commitment to equity and inclusion. You will be expected to challenge yourself and colleagues to continually improve the way we work.
• You will be responsible for understanding how an organisation’s ideas align with our funding priorities and making good judgements about when to take an application further or when to signpost to alternative opportunities. You will be able to communicate clearly and concisely your recommendations about who and what we fund. Your natural curiosity combined with a genuine interest in people and projects in your area will enable you to try new approaches and develop your understanding of what works.

During your first few weeks with the Fund, in person training will be delivered in Glasgow, you can expect to be office based on most working days. After the initial training period work patterns are more flexible. In a typical week most full-time Funding Officers would be likely to spend one day in our Glasgow office, one or two days out for meetings and project visits in their assigned area, and will work from home on other days.

There can be occasional weekend and evening working, but most of our work takes place on week days in normal working hours.

When applying please specify which Funding role you would like to be considered for, this can be both.

About You

We are looking for talented people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences who share our values and are passionate about making a difference through our funding. Whether through lived or gained experience you will really understand the communities we work with.

We are very open to flexible working both full time and part time applications, minimum 2 days a week.

PATH (Scotland) is a small, dynamic award-winning national charity established in 1998 to address the absence of BAME communities in housing and employment using the positive action provisions of equalities legislation. We also run employability, mentoring and leadership programmes across Scotland.

Due to a restructure, we are now looking for a Funding Officer. This is a new post and is an opportunity for a positive, motivated individual to join our small team and help ensure the sustainability of our activities and services.

The Funding Officer will source new streams of funding and sponsorship and work with the Manager and other staff to develop, fund and implement services.

We are a vibrant social enterprise working to reduce loneliness and isolation. Our aim is for older people to thrive in later life. Working with our dedicated volunteers we provide the befriending support that older people desire to help live happy, healthy lives. We work to empower older people to stay connected with their communities, alleviating loneliness, improving health and wellbeing and making communities stronger through volunteering. Do view our 90 second film, vimeo.com/648991073, filmed to celebrate our Social Enterprise Scotland ‘Prove It’ award for social impact reporting, to hear what our service users say about our organisation.

As our Operations Manager you will perform a vital function in developing, directing and supporting a team to deliver our 1-2-1 and group befriending services across Glasgow. Your focus on developing and enhancing our current work will play a key role in transforming the lives of individuals and leaving lasting legacies. You will have a key role in supporting the long-term sustainability of the organisation through success in funding applications combined with fundraising activities and events.

With an impressive track record your strong people and project management skills combined with a ‘let’s make it happen’ mindset are key to success in this role. Flexibility is essential and occasional evening and weekend working could be necessary.

Our job description and person specification will give you much more information on the role and the fantastic individual we are seeking. If you are looking for further information or an informal chat about the role please contact shonagh@befriend.org.uk

Funding from Glasgow Community Fund.