Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – Interim Director of Strategy

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Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – Interim Director of Strategy

Summary of role

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is recruiting for an Interim Director of Strategy. The role may be part time and will be for an initial period of 9 months.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is a grant making charity which supports the Armed Forces Covenant by funding projects which address specific priorities. The Trust is committed to learning from and sharing the achievements of its grant holders and the impact of its funding programmes. To find out more about our work please visit our website https://www.covenantfund.org.uk/

The Interim Director of Strategy will be responsible for delivery of the Trust’s 3-year Covenant Fund Strategy and will be executive lead for policy, strategic development, strategic communications, research, impact and digital delivery.

Together with the Director of Grants they will develop evidence-based funding programmes to address complex needs, and work with government and wider stakeholders to measure and disseminate our impact.

The 2024-27 Covenant Fund Framework is in an early stage of delivery. A key feature of this interim role will be to support the delivery of the Framework and develop planning for programmes in FY 2024/5.

This role will suit someone who has worked at senior executive level in the public, voluntary or charitable sectors and who enjoys fast paced and often complex policy and communications challenges. Equally comfortable engaging with Government, the Board and staff, they will effectively manage concurrent workstreams to tight deadlines. An exceptional communicator, fluent on paper and verbally, they will relish the cerebral nature of the Trust’s work.

The Trust welcomes applications from across the UK. Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer this opportunity to anyone living outside of the UK mainland. This is a home working role and applicants will be expected to be able to confirm that they are able to work in this way (IT and any essential equipment will be provided). Attendance at occasional (fewer than 4 per year) meetings or awaydays will be expected – these could be in London or elsewhere in the UK, as well as periodic attendance in person at Board or other committee meetings.

Salary in the range £70-75k, depending on experience (plus pension contribution and other benefits) for a fixed term initial period of 9 months. We anticipate this being a full time role but are prepared to be flexible for the right candidate.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

How to apply:

Applications should take the form of a letter (no more than two pages of A4) providing evidence of how you meet the person specification and a CV. Please also indicate how soon you might be available to start if your application is successful. As this is an immediate need, we may give preference to candidates with shorter notice periods.

Timeline

Applications should be submitted via our recruitment portal at https://system.citrushr.com/Job?uid=rtzzpopfckqtywraozoa

by 9am on Monday 9 September. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend interviews which are expected to be conducted either the same week or the following week by video conference. We reserve the right to close the application process early if a suitable candidate is found.

We recognise that we’re a predominantly white workforce and are genuinely committed to encouraging applications from diverse communities in order to improve the service we provide. We’re not just searching for skills but also how a candidate could uphold our values and enhance our culture, therefore, even if you don’t think you meet all the skills criteria listed in our job descriptions, we’d still like to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunities employer. If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know via info@covenantfund.org.uk and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.

Job Description – Interim Director of Strategy

Responsible for delivery of the Trust’s 3-year Covenant Fund Strategy, executive lead for policy, strategic development, strategic communications, research, impact and digital delivery.

With the Director of Grants, develop evidence-based funding programmes to address complex needs, and work with government and wider stakeholders to measure and disseminate our impact.

The 2024-27 Covenant Fund Framework is in an early stage of delivery. A key feature of this interim role will be to support the delivery of the Framework and develop planning for programmes in FY 2024/5.

• Lead the policy, communications and research functions of the organisation to provide high quality programme development and impact work.
• Undertake strategic planning activities for programme delivery for the Covenant Fund in FY 24/25.
• Provide high quality policy, communications and strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Chair and Trustees in a fast-paced environment.
• Lead on Parliamentary Affairs, ensuring that robust and accurate responses are given for Parliamentary Questions, Official Correspondence and other Official information that might be required, and supporting the CEO to develop and maintain relationships with government officials.
• Develop dissemination and knowledge sharing methodologies to ensure impact and learning from the various funding programmes is used to best effect internally and externally and communicate the strategic impact to stakeholders.
• Deliver the Trust’s 3-year communications strategy that actively promotes how funding supports the armed forces community, manages strategic risks and shares the learning and impact of the Trust’s work. Ensure that audience engagement is maintained.
• Oversee the measurement of the impact of grant funding on the armed forces community through developing systems and processes and commissioning research, working with experts and academic providers.
• Work with high profile organisations and stakeholders across a range of sectors. Form strong and influential relationships with key internal and external partners. Bring together views and perspectives of stakeholders to gain a wider picture of the landscape surrounding activities and policies.
• Work with the Ethics Advisory Panel and its Chair to ensure that ethical delivery is embedded in the Trust’s work.
• Effectively capture, utilise and share insight from grant holders and views from a diverse range of stakeholders delivering public consultations where appropriate.
• Represent the Trust publicly at events and meetings and in media engagements.
• Consistently deliver high quality leadership, be an effective member of the Senior Management Team and make a positive contribution to the governance and integrity of the organisation.

Person specification

• At least 3 years working in a senior executive role with Boards and Non-Executive directors
• Experience of working at a senior level, influencing and advising on policy and
• Extensive experience of management roles in the public, voluntary or charitable sector
• An analytical mindset with the ability to evaluate strategic and reputational risks
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Experience in developing and implementing strategy
• An ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Leadership experience in strategic communications
• Extensive experience in impact measurement or impact delivery
• A demonstrable record of establishing and maintaining a strong and effective performance culture.
• Evidence of success in building, enhancing and maintaining the reputation of an organisation.
• Experience in delivering interim senior policy or strategy roles
• Experience in successfully leading the delivery of outcomes in a large complex political environment.
• A demonstrable record of establishing and maintaining a strong and effective performance culture.
• Experience of managing wide-ranging programmes.
• Senior experience in grant delivery using public funds
• Experience of working in a Non-Departmental Public Body
• Proven experience in strategic partnership management
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of successful partnership agreements