Application Guide

How to Apply for Strategic Proposal Writer

at The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR)

🏢 About The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR)

The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR) is a UK-based think tank focused on improving government preparedness for catastrophic risks, such as pandemics, AI safety, and climate change. What makes CLTR unique is its sharp focus on systemic resilience and long-term thinking, bridging policy, science, and technology to shape a safer future. Working here means contributing to high-impact projects that influence national and global policy, with a team of experts dedicated to ensuring humanity is better equipped for existential threats.

About This Role

As a Strategic Proposal Writer at CLTR, you will be responsible for crafting compelling grant proposals, funding applications, and strategic documents to secure resources for CLTR's mission-driven projects. This role is impactful because it directly enables the organization to scale its work on long-term resilience, turning ideas into funded initiatives that can shape policy and practice. You'll collaborate with researchers and leadership to translate complex risk analysis into persuasive narratives for donors and partners.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing grant deadlines and prioritizing tasks. You'll spend a few hours researching a new funding opportunity, then drafting a proposal outline in collaboration with a researcher. After lunch, you might revise a section based on feedback from the CEO, then update a project tracker. The day ends with reviewing donor guidelines for an upcoming submission.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR) Is Looking For

  • Experience in writing grant proposals or funding applications for non-profits, think tanks, or research organizations, preferably in policy or risk-related fields.
  • Strong ability to distill complex, technical concepts (e.g., AI safety, pandemic preparedness) into clear, compelling, and actionable proposals.
  • Familiarity with the landscape of catastrophic risks and long-term resilience, including key stakeholders, funding sources, and policy debates.
  • Excellent project management skills, able to manage multiple deadlines and work independently in a remote, contract-based setting.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR)

1

Tailor your application to CLTR's specific focus areas: highlight any experience with existential risk, resilience, or long-term policy planning.

2

Include a sample of a successful grant proposal or funding document you've written, even if anonymized, to demonstrate your writing and strategic thinking.

3

Research CLTR's current projects and funding partners (e.g., Open Philanthropy, Effective Altruism funds) and mention how you can support those relationships.

4

Show understanding of remote work dynamics: emphasize your self-motivation, communication skills, and ability to collaborate across time zones.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your writing to impact: explain how your proposals have led to real-world change or funding for critical issues.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for long-term resilience and catastrophic risk mitigation, and why CLTR's approach resonates with you.", 'Specific examples of how your proposal writing has driven funding for high-impact projects, especially in policy or research.', 'Your ability to work independently and manage complex writing projects from research to submission.', "Understanding of CLTR's target donors and how you can craft messages that align with their priorities (e.g., evidence-based, strategic, long-term)."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review CLTR's website and recent publications, especially their reports on AI safety, pandemic preparedness, and UK government resilience.
  • → Look into their funding sources (e.g., Open Philanthropy, Long-Term Future Fund) to understand donor priorities and proposal expectations.
  • → Read about the concept of 'long-term resilience' and how CLTR distinguishes itself from other think tanks in the risk space.
  • → Check CLTR's team page to understand the backgrounds of key staff and how your role fits into their broader strategy.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would approach writing a proposal for a new project on AI governance or pandemic preparedness.
2 How do you stay informed about the latest developments in existential risk and resilience?
3 Describe a time you had to simplify a highly technical topic for a non-expert audience. What was your process?
4 How do you prioritize competing deadlines when working on multiple proposals simultaneously?
5 What do you know about CLTR's current funding strategy, and how would you contribute to it?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference CLTR's specific mission or projects—show you've done your homework.
  • Focusing too much on general writing skills without demonstrating experience in grant writing or proposal development.
  • Ignoring the contract nature of the role: ensure you address your availability and ability to deliver within a flexible timeline.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR)!

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