Grants Policy Adviser

Government Grant funding plays an important role domestically, in areas such as education, research, civil society and innovation, as well as abroad through international aid projects. Grant spending accounts for around 16% of all UK Government expenditure (2021/22). Part of the Government Grants and Commercial Directorate, the Government Grants Management Function (GGMF) works to ensure that every pound of Government Grants annual spend (£172bn in 2021/22) makes a difference to the economy and to communities. 

We are a dynamic, inclusive and nationally based Function working at the heart of Government to provide strategic leadership and set grant-making standards. We work with Government departments and their agencies to deliver grants more efficiently, effectively, transparently and safely protecting public money from fraud and maximising value for money.

Our work requires a diverse set of skills and expertise and we are committed to supporting individuals develop their skills and experience, improve their performance and build their career with us.

We have a track record of working with stakeholders across government to deliver efficiency, increasing effectiveness, reducing losses through fraud and error, and driving innovation in digital solutions. Through our collective efforts we have delivered true value to the public and we are excited to be taking the next steps in our journey. With this, comes the exciting opportunity to become a part of the Grant’s Family. We can’t wait to hear from you!

We are seeking a Grants policy adviser to join the Function’s growing Capability Team. This is an exciting time to join the team as we are in the midst of designing and delivering an ambitious programme of learning and development to support grant making capability across government grant making organisations.

Our vision is to provide a comprehensive programme of L&D , including effective training interventions, to support the personal and professional development of grants practitioners across government, and to increase grant-making capability generally, Government wide, to support the raising of standards, leading to improved outcomes and value for the citizen. 

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a critical role, to help author and curate grants training and learning content , providing tailored input to help shape and deliver the future development and success of a growing L&D programme.

In this role you will be responsible for providing Grants subject matter knowledge and awareness to support the team in the design, development and delivery of high-quality learning interventions and products that address identified learning needs and to build engagement with the Capability offer. 

You will play a critical role,  working closely with L&D professionals, you will be responsible for contributing grants detail, knowledge and content, to create effective learning products. The post holder will be instrumental in supporting the development and continuous improvement of the GGMF’s Licence to Practise L&D programme content and accompanying accreditation model.

The post holder will also have the opportunity to use their knowledge to support the work of the wider Core Function in the GGMF, for example, in the development of new grants policy and supporting the work of the Expert Services team.

As a result, essential to this role is a background and knowledge of Government Grant making and the Grants life-cycle.

You will be responsible for building relationships and collaborating with stakeholders across government; drawing on your grant-making expertise, to conduct learning needs analysis to understand and assess need. Critical to the role is the ability to work in a consultative style through joint-working with: 

• Central departments;
• Grant making arm’s length bodies; and
• Other Government Academies, in particular Finance and Commercial.

Key requirements of the post are as follows.

• Work closely with the Head of Capability and rest of capability team to provide specific grants knowledge and understanding  to develop and deliver new training and learning interventions.
• Provide the team’s technical grants knowledge and awareness  – drafting  grants specific content, conducting reviews of content for accuracy and providing credible knowledge as required.
• Provide knowledgeable and credible training in the Subject Matter (grants) on face-to-face and virtual training courses – supporting delivery and other facilitators – answering questions raised by learners.
• Ensure high-quality delivery, operational management and organisation of existing face-to-face and virtual training programmes – working with learners, facilitators and external partners to ensure training events run smoothly. 
• Lead the approach to evaluate existing and future learning interventions to enable continuous improvement and ensure training achieves the best learning outcomes and have maximum usage.
• Facilitation and delivery of face-to-face and virtual training sessions. Including weeks residential Grants L&D course.
• Collate, review and update training materials and ensure these meet the standards required.
• Support the development and delivery of a Licence to Practise, through providing technical input and drawing on your knowledge and experience, specifically from a grants subject matter perspective, in order to drive up standards of capability across departments.
• Responsibility for the Grants Centre of Excellence website – leading a review and update of the website to ensure it supports the grants learning pathway and that guidance and products are up to date, accurate and meet users needs.
• Lead the delivery, planning and organisation of the Grants Best Practice network.
• Responsibility for supporting the creation of a grants community of interest and networking opportunities.
• Provide secretariat duties for a cross-government ALB Working Group, Grants Champions Forum and capability Working Group, driving forward the learning and development agenda through these networks.

Please note: This role includes a requirement to support the face-to-face delivery of a week long course once a quarter in York.

Essential

• General grant-making experience and understanding, to provide credible and knowledgeable training, advice and guidance in grant-making to learners  (please note: learning/training design and L&D experience is not essential for this role – support and upskilling in these areas would be provided)
• An understanding of the grants life-cycle, functional standard for grants and the associated minimum requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to adjust working and communication styles to meet the requirements of multiple audiences and partners.
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deliver at pace.

Desirable

• Experience designing, delivering or organising training, learning and development interventions.
• Experience of working across departmental boundaries.
• Awareness and understanding of the Government wide grants landscape.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Job contact :

• Name : Faye Austin
• Email : Faye.Austin@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk