Job Opportunity for Senior Proposal Writer at American India Foundation in Delhi

ABOUT AMERICAN INDIA FOUNDATION

The American India Foundation Trust (AIF) is committed to catalyzing social and economic change in India through high-impact interventions in education, livelihoods, public health, and leadership development. Working closely with local communities, AIF partners with NGOs to develop and test innovative solutions and with governments to create and scale sustainable impact. AIF’s programming seeks to achieve gender equity through developing inclusive models that focus on and empower girls and women. Founded in 2001 at the initiative of President Bill Clinton following a suggestion from Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, AIF has impacted the lives of 16.51 million of India’s poor across 36 States and Union Territories of India.

AIF works on Education, Livelihoods, Public Health, and Leadership programs in India.

Learn more about our work, our key people, and programs at https://aif-india.org/.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Proposal Writer will work the AIF Programs in India and collaborate closely with AIF US Development team to coordinate, write, and submit successful proposals to major international institutional and individual funders. They will strategize on, as well as coordinate and implement the pre-award planning, organization, and preparation of various grants for both institutional and individual restricted giving to AIF.

In addition, they will collaborate with and support the Manager – Grant Reporting to ensure that the post-award administration of reports and programmatic updates to these restricted donors are on time and of excellent quality.

Reporting and Relationships:

The Senior Proposal Writer (SPW) will report to the Director – Strategic Partnerships and will work closely with and provide service & support to the US Development Leadership & teams.

Essential Job Functions

1. Proposal Writing and submission: (50%)

a. Works directly with Program staff in crafting compelling narratives and statistical evidence for proposals that are designed to succeed with major institutional and individual donors in the US and internationally. Proactively stays updated on program strategies and new directions to offer novel “products” to be presented to international prospects.

b. Coordinates the planning and preparation of grant /donor / funder proposals and outlines subsequent reporting initiated by the development team; provides guidance and assistance to fundraising staff to interpret donor agency regulations and requirements.

c. Prepares and compiles all components of each grant submission, ensuring that the proposal is formatted, packaged, and submitted in accordance with granting agency requirements. Works with the relevant Relationship Managers (RM) to follow up with the agency consistently during the evaluation process.

2. Supporting the expansion AIF’s International Institutional Funder Pipeline: (20%)

a. Actively researches and prospects international foundations and corporations (US- and Europe-based, as well as other global funders aligned with AIF’s mission) for potential LOI and/or proposal submissions; builds relationships within such institutions towards the goal of being invited to submit winning proposals.

b. Explores new prospects in HNIs, Family Foundations, and other institutional donors internationally to consistently maintain a thriving pipeline of international prospects that can expand and deepen AIF’s standing in the global funding arena.

3. Working Cross-Functionally with AIF teams in US and India: (20%)

a. Serves as a liaison between US-based development staff, India-based program staff, finance offices in India and the US Development team (to work on budgets), and the office SPOCs of prospective funders in the proposal submission process.

b. Works with India-based program team to stay always updated regarding the strategy and implementation of AIF’s programs and their outcomes to represent them in the best light to prospective donors whose giving priorities align with AIF’s mission.

4. Report Coordination Support: (10%)

a. Collaborates with and supports the Manager – Grant Reporting around the administration of post-award grants to ensure that budgeting and administrative policies, procedures, and agency requirements are being followed; follows and supports in the management of administrative problems and/or budget changes occurring during the awarded granting period, especially in light of planning for a renewal grant submission to the same donor.

b. Develops and maintains the CRM database for recording and tracking grant proposals, awards, and related statistical information; creates and distributes standard and special reports, studies, summaries, and analyses, as required.

Key Skills, Competencies, and Desired Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• About 03-04 years of grant writing experience is required with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Willingness to work in alignment with US time zones as needed to collaborate seamlessly with US-based AIF’s RMs
• Ability to develop and produce compelling grants and other proposals.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills across all professional settings—with internal program and development colleagues, as well as external stakeholders.
• Discretion, diplomacy, and sophisticated communication skills that not only nurture but also expand AIF’s relationships with external stakeholders, while deepening internal relationships across functions and programs.
• Ability to work seamlessly and professionally with internal departments and coordinate with domestic and international staff.
• Knowledge of current developments/trends in the area of expertise. Ability to provide technical advice to colleagues in the area of expertise.
• Ability to determine informational needs, collect and analyze information, and devise and develop statistical analyses and reports.
• Database management skills with a donor-CRM such as Raisers Edge, Virtuous, etc.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
• Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of budgeting and fiscal management principles and procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to the eradication of poverty in India and alignment with AIF’s mission.

Salary and Benefits: We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits, be commensurate with experience. The individual will have opportunities to learn all aspects of a non- profit organization.

Position Availability: Immediately

IMPORTANT: At the time of application, candidates must upload three writing samples—of grant proposals that were approved—with their application.

Please note: Due to the potential volume of responses, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.