The MCF has an exciting opportunity for a Grants Officer to join our fantastic Charity Grants team on a 12-month contract to cover for one of our Grants Officers going on maternity leave. 

This is an opportunity for the right candidate to gain strong experience working with charities, develop knowledge of the key themes and challenges facing the sector, develop their assessment skills including reading charity accounts, expand their network in the grant making sector, and contribute strategically to the Charity Grants team’s programmes looking into the future.

The role is responsible for delivering all aspects of MCF’s core and Provincial charity grant programmes.  You will deal with enquiries, conduct initial meetings with charities online, assess written applications, and prepare and present recommendations to decision‑making panels. The role will also include reviewing monitoring reports and may also involve undertaking charity visits across England and Wales, and to undertake additional duties as required.

Post: Charity Grants Officer

Location: Covent Garden, London. Work from home two days per week.

Hours: 34 hours per week (early finish on Fridays)

Contract: Full-time, 12-month maternity cover

Salary: Circa £31,525 - £34,306 (dependent upon experience)

Holiday: 25 days, plus additional 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year and bank holidays

Benefits: Excellent package including contributory pension, medical and dental plans (upon completion of probationary period), access to various health, wellness and retail benefits and continual professional development.

Reports to: Charity Grants Team Leader

Team: 2x Charity Grants Team Leader, 2x Charity Grants Officer

Closing Date: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the MCF may close applications early if a suitable candidate is found.

Main responsibilities

· Assess expressions of interest and applications received under the MCF’s core and Provincial programmes against charity grants criteria, MCF strategy and funding priorities and the societal need.

· Conduct financial assessments to identify any potential risk of financial or reputational damage to MCF.

· Present assessments and peer review other applications at grant panels.

· Prepare application summaries for committee meetings.

· Review grant monitoring reports, ensuring their progression is on track and in line with the applications.

· Deal with telephone, email and face-to face general enquiries from charities and freemasons.

· Build relationships between MCF and grant holders.

· Ensure all key information, correspondence and documentation are appropriately recorded in the Salesforce database.

The role

The MCF’s current funding priorities includes Early Years, children and young people with SEND, and children affected by domestic abuse. Ideally the successful candidate will have knowledge and experience of at least one of these areas.

The ideal applicant will already have experience within the third sector and have some knowledge and experience of grant-making either through a grant-making organisation or as a fundraiser applying for grants. They will have the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

To be successful in this role it is essential to have strong report writing skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to complete analytical assessment. It is also desirable to have research skills, presentation skills and an understanding of charity finances and accounts.

Person specification

Essential

• A Levels (or equivalent) or qualified by experience

• Relevant experience within the third sector.

• Good knowledge of grant making

• Experience of one or more of the Charity Grants funding priorities

• Working knowledge of databases

• IT literate – Microsoft Office

• Analytical Skills

• Organisational Skills

• Report writing

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Good communications skills

• Numerate

Desirable

• Degree level - or equivalent qualifications.

• Experience of grant-making within the third sector.

• Understanding of Freemasonry

• Experience of using Salesforce

• Presentation Skills

• Research Skills

• Familiarity with charity accounts

About the Masonic Charitable Foundation 

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the UK’s leading charities, providing a range of benevolent support to individuals and awarding grants to local and national charities. The MCF was founded in 2016 following the merger of four charities that had operated separately since the eighteenth century.

Our work helps to encourage opportunity, promote independence and improve wellbeing for thousands of people each year.  Last year, the MCF awarded support totalling around £20 million.  Our support is funded from the donations of freemasons, their families and friends

How to apply

Please provide a copy of your CV together with a covering letter explaining how you meet the person specification.