Bid Writing Specialist

**Do you want to make a difference to the Forest of Dean community and help us to build upon recent funding success?**

The Forest of Dean is a special place. We are looking for a dynamic Bid Writer to help us improve it, making it an even better place to live, learn, do business and enjoy. The Forest of Dean District Council has an ambitious Council Plan with a specific focus on sustainable economy, thriving communities and decarbonisation & nature recovery.

**About the role**

This role will provide first review and challenge of proposals raised internally by officers across Publica, guiding the development of viable options through to submission. Funding bids could relate to any of the Council’s priorities listed above. An essential part of the role will be to liaise with various stakeholders including: Gloucestershire County Council, Town & Parish Councils, Forest Growth Hub, Forest Economic Partnership, local schools, colleges & university.

**Key responsibilities**
- Identify potential funding calls and opportunities for Forest of Dean District Council that are relevant to the Council’s Council Plan and beyond.
- Review, interpret and understand funding call requirements and match the capabilities of the Council and its partners to the calls. Capture key call requirements and identify what the Council and its partners can do to meet the requirements. Provide strategic advice, guidance and summaries to the Regeneration Manager and Executive Leadership Team for bid-no-bid decision process.
- Work with the Regeneration Manager to establish and lead bid teams to support funding proposals. Prepare written drafts for bid teams to review, ensuring delivery of bid to meet deadlines, ensuring appropriate sign-off from all partners.
- Record and report progress on all bid activity following relevant legislation, prescribed policy, procedures and guidelines procedures and processes.
- Prepare strategic and progress reports for the Council’s Executive Leadership Team.
- Continuous improvement of Council procedures and processes for successful bid winning and writing.

**You will need**
- Degree level qualification in your area of expertise, or relevant professional experience of five years
- Ability to work independently under pressure and within tight deadlines
- Ability to work with others to deliver key outcomes
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Competent in using a range of technology and software packages, including Microsoft 365 and Teams

**Special Conditions**
- Ability to travel
- BPSS

For more information about this role please see the Job Description.

**What can we do for you**
- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
- Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
- 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays and an extra two volunteering days off a year for you to support a charity of your choice
- Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
- Pension scheme with a good employer contribution of 5% of your earnings
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling.
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
- Additional income protection, covering 50% of your salary for potentially a further five years if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury
- Life assurance, currently four times your annual salary