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Local Government External Funding Officer

Do you want to become a Local Government External Funding Officer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

A local government external funding officer is responsible for securing funding for projects to ensure that they can go ahead. They also provide support to the county council, other public sector organisations, and voluntary and community groups. External funding is money awarded from grant-giving organisations, such as the National Lottery distributors, local or national trusts and central government - either directly, or through its many agencies.

Funding officers must keep up to date with the latest funding initiatives and ensure that the relevant council officers and departments are aware of any significant news. They are also responsible for ensuring that different local government departments do not compete for the same funds. Their daily activities are likely to include:

• researching possible sources of funding
• preparing and giving presentations
• attending meetings with relevant and interested parties
• working with budgets and analysing statistics.

They work with a variety of people, such as senior council officers, members of the local business community and volunteers.

An external funding officer usually works 37 hours a week. The majority of councils run a flexitime scheme, and there may be occasional evening and weekend work. The work is mainly office based.

Salaries range from around £22,000 to £35,000 a year, or more.

Local government external funding officers need to:

• have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• be good negotiators
• be able to write reports and put together financial bids
• be organised and able to prioritise work to meet deadlines
• have an interest in fundraising and enjoy working with people.

Every local authority employs at least one external funding officer. Therefore, there are job opportunities throughout the UK.

Most entrants have a degree with a financial emphasis and/or a professional qualification from a body such as the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). There is no upper age limit for entry.

Training is carried out on the job and through local government courses.

Local government external funding officers may transfer to other council departments, including budget management, accountancy, economic development or regeneration. They may also move into the commercial sector or charity work.

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