Grants Proposal Development Specialist

Introduction

WARDI is a national non-governmental organization based in Somalia actively operating in six regions of South Central. Established in 1993 and officially registered with the Federal Government of Somalia and with the NGO Coordination Board of Kenya in the Republic of Kenya, WARDI envisions a society where all individuals can live with dignity, freedom, and prosperity. Its mission focuses on providing dignified support to those affected by crises, empowering them to lead fulfilling and prosperous lives. WARDI maintains offices in Mogadishu, Jowhar, Afgoye, Wanlaweyn, Beletweyne, Jalalaqsi, Guricel, Mataban, and Buloburte, along with a liaison office in Nairobi. WARDI is dedicated to responding to humanitarian emergencies while bridging the gap between crisis and resilience.

The organization also engages in long-term developmental projects, boasting a proven track record in delivering high-quality health and nutrition, food security and livelihood, education, protection, good governance, and WASH interventions. Our programming is characterized by a bottom-up approach that places the communities, local authorities, and governments (both National and Federal states) at the heart of our initiatives.

Position Title: Grants Proposal Development Specialist

Location: Remote

Reporting Lines: The PDS will work under the overall supervision of the Program Director and the direct supervision of the Fundraising and Communication Manager.

Duration: one year with the possibility of extension

Purpose: The Grants Proposal Development Specialist will assist the program team at WARDI in crafting high-quality grant proposals aimed at securing funding for the organization. This role involves close collaboration with program staff and the fundraising and communication department to identify funding opportunities, create compelling narratives, and ensure that proposals are in line with organizational objectives, vision, mission and donor expectations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Proposal Development
   • Work with the program team to grasp project goals and objectives as per community needs identified & prioritized.
   • Research and identify potential grant opportunities from donors, and other funding sources.
   • Create detailed and persuasive grant proposals, including narratives, budgets, and supporting documents.
   • Write succinct sections for proposals that highlight the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the focus areas for WARDI.
   • Quickly revise, update, and expand concept papers into full project proposals as suggested by donors.
2. Donor and Sector Awareness
   • In collaboration with the Program and Fundraising and communication team, connect with donors both inside Somalia and outside the country.
   • Familiarize yourself as GDS with the requirements and formats of various donors regarding sectors, priorities, and guidelines.
   • Be aware of the donor calls for appeal, timelines and submission deadlines for relevant donors.
   • Develop strategies for securing multiple funding sources.
   • Seek partnership opportunities from INGOs and UN Agencies for a joint venture with WARDI.
3. Grant Proposal Writing
   • Compose clear, concise, and persuasive proposals that effectively convey the organization’s mission and programmatic impact.
   • Customize proposals to align with the specific requirements and priorities of communities and funding agencies.
   • Conduct thorough research to understand the specific needs and objectives of the funding organization and the impact the grant will address.
4. Research and Analysis
   • Conduct background research on funding organizations to understand their priorities and funding history.
   • Analyze and synthesize information from various sources to enhance grant proposals.
5. Coordination and Collaboration
   • Collaborate closely with program staff to gather essential information and data for proposals.
   • Organize meetings and workshops to brainstorm ideas and collect input for proposal development.
   • Seek feedback from internal stakeholders to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with organizational objectives.
6. Monitoring and Reporting
   • Help track proposal submissions and deadlines.
7. Capacity Building
   • Offer training and support to program staff on best practices in grant writing and proposal development.
   • Share resources and tools to improve the organization’s ability to secure funding.
8. Budget and Financial Planning
   • Work with the finance team to develop detailed, realistic project budgets, ensuring that all expenses are covered and match the scope of the proposed project.
   • Ensure that the budget complies with the grantor’s requirements and the organization’s financial policies.
   • Justify project costs in the narrative, demonstrating cost-effectiveness and value for money.
9. Documentation and Record Keeping
   • Maintain a detailed database of all proposals submitted, tracking their status, outcomes, and any required follow-up.
   • Archive all versions of grant proposals, budgets, and other relevant documents for future reference and auditing purposes.
10. Evaluation and Learning
    • Establish metrics for measuring project outcomes and success, aligning these with the objectives stated in the grant proposal.
    • Conduct assessments of completed projects to report back to funders on the grant’s impact and effectiveness.
    • Use insights gained from past grant proposals (both successful and unsuccessful) to improve future applications.

Key Internal Contacts: Area Manager, Program Director, Fundraising and Communication Manager, Finance Director, HR Manager, Procurement Manager, MEAL Manager, Risk and Compliance Manager, Security Advisor and others.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, international relations, global development, and social sciences.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in grant writing and proposal development, preferably in a humanitarian setting.
• Knowledge about Somalia’s humanitarian needs and context is an added value.
• Skills:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
  • Familiarity with fundraising strategies and donor relations.

Working Conditions

• This is a remote position with flexible working hours.
• Occasional meetings may be required in the office or via video conferencing.