Grant Bid / Policy Officer

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is officially recognised as one of the top-performing, and most improved services in England. In their latest report, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) awarded GMFRS the first “Outstanding” ratings in its history, cementing its place near the very top of national rankings. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape how GMFRS continues on its upwards trajectory, supporting strategic policy development, securing external funding opportunities, and helping deliver better outcomes for our people, communities, and partners.

This is a newly established role; part of the existing Portfolio Management Office (PMO) supporting the identification, development, and submission of high-quality grant funding bids that align with GMFRS strategic priorities, strengthen organisational capability, and help to reduce pressure on core budgets.

You will proactively scan for, identify, and assess external funding opportunities, developing and maintaining a pipeline of live and emerging opportunities, including horizon scanning, bid planning, deadlines, and key decision points. Working collaboratively across GMFRS, GMCA, and wider partners, you will coordinate, draft, and submit grant applications, expressions of interest, and supporting documentation, drawing together evidence, data, and input from relevant services.

The role will also support the development, review, and maintenance of strategic policy documentation, ensuring policies are clear, evidence-led, compliant with relevant legislation, and aligned to national frameworks, Fire Standards and HMICFRS expectations where applicable. You will provide advice and support to Directorates on policy structure, consultation, governance, and quality assurance to improve consistency, and organisational readiness for scrutiny.

You will contribute to business cases, options appraisals, and feasibility work linked to income generation opportunities, including commercial, and partnership-based initiatives. You will also support arrangements for the mobilisation, monitoring, and evaluation of successful bids, helping to ensure reporting requirements, outcomes, and benefits are clearly understood, tracked, and reported.

We are looking for a proactive, organised, and credible Grant Bid & Policy Officer with experience of identifying, developing, and/or coordinating grant funding bids, ideally within the public or wider public service sector. You will be able to translate strategic objectives, operational challenges, and improvement needs into clear, persuasive, and evidence-based funding propositions.

You will have experience of drafting, reviewing, or supporting the development of policy, strategy, business cases, briefing papers or similar corporate documentation. You will bring strong written communication skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to produce concise, accurate, and compelling reports, proposals, policies, and presentations.

You will be confident working with a range of stakeholders, able to coordinate input from multiple teams, and build effective relationships with colleagues, partners, external funders, and stakeholders. You will be able to manage a varied workload, balance competing priorities, and respond at pace to time-limited funding opportunities.

You will have strong analytical, and problem-solving skills, good financial awareness, and the ability to use data and evidence to inform recommendations, strengthen bids, and support policy development. You will also understand the importance of governance, assurance, information governance, confidentiality, and data protection when working with sensitive information.

You will be educated to degree level in a relevant discipline such as public policy, public administration, business, funding, research, evaluation, or a related field, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience. Awareness of the fire and rescue, local government or wider public sector context would be desirable, including partnership working, public accountability, and external scrutiny.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

Privacy Notice (Click here)

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

.

Supporting Documents

↗ Role Profile