This role will focus on the delivery of an innovative, transparent and trust-based approach to funding for Comic Relief. Ensuring that participation, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are central in how we fund, the postholder will work with colleagues to take steps to reduce barriers to access, involvement and fairness in decision making around our funding. Ultimately, they will lead the development and continuous improvement of our funding journey (from application through to closure). The role will help bring greater consistency and alignment between our internal processes and our broader social change goals.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of our funding journey by providing technical advice and guidance (training, policies, manuals) to support an inclusive, accessible and effective journey, both for our partners and internally

• Creatively find ways to unlock the inherent power of communities and organisations by ensuring that people with lived or learnt experience are intentionally engaged in our funding mechanisms

• Review and update internal funding policies and processes to ensure that they foster greater trust and acknowledge unequal power relations, improving standards of policy, practice, and reporting to improve diversity, equity and inclusion of under-represented communities where necessary

• Work cross-organisationally with the Investment, Finance, Systems and Assurance teams to continuously improve the quality, efficiency, equity and integrity of our funding process, policies and approaches

• Work collaboratively with the Transparency and Reporting, Systems, Evidence and Learning, Fundraising and Creative teams to make sure data systems and processes are effective for understanding progress towards social change, reporting, fundraising and communication purposes. 

• Working with the Senior Associate, provide in-house training and coaching to staff to upskill and embed good practice

• Working with the Senior Associate, establish and facilitate reflection cycles around our funding processes and practice (including actively listening to the feedback from applicants and funded partners) to inform our learning and decision-making 

• Represent Comic Relief on funder platforms for improved practice on DEI and develop external relationships with other funders and relevant actors to foster greater collaboration and engagement around how we fund and to inform our practice

Essential Skills and Competencies:

• Significant experience of making and managing investments, with a strong understanding of wider funding mechanisms in the charity sector

• Knowledge and experience of embedding DEI concepts, practice and approaches.

• Effective relationship builder, with strong emotional intelligence and experience of working in collaborative, cross sector environments to facilitate conversations and alongside individuals and organisations with diverse perspectives 

• Exceptional analysis and sense-making skills, underpinned with sound judgement under pressure, and the ability to identify solutions to address delivery risks and issues. 

• Experience of designing and delivering interventions using at least two of the following; human centred design; behavioural insights; lean practice; user participation and co-design. 

• Ability to listen deeply and communicate well with colleagues, with an expertise in conveying conceptual and sometimes complex information to a variety of audiences 

• Proven leadership skills, with experience of managing high performing teams 

Inclusivity at Comic Relief

We recognise diversity and inclusion are a source of strength in achieving our mission. We therefore welcome everyone, trusting what makes us different brings creativity, styles and experiences to help us collectively do our best work. That’s regardless of your gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and cultural identity. We especially welcome those from under-represented groups in modern grant-making and fundraising. We are on a journey, but if you join our team you will be part of a community that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where we want you to:

• Be valued for being yourself

• Do your best work, and be supported to break down barriers so you can succeed

• Be heard, respected, and treated as an equal, whatever your level, experience or background

• Be part of a team that is committed to making this happen – with our colleagues, partners, and contributors.

Comic Relief is committed to preventing and protecting all people from harm in their interactions with us. We expect all those that act in our name to uphold our approach to doing no harm