Fundraisers

VSO volunteers are working along the Thai/Burma border, supporting people's movements and human rights initiatives with the aim to bring peace and democracy to Burma. As a fundraising and partnerships adviser, you'll work with Karenni, a local women's right NGO, to empower Burmese women who are living in refugee camps, and are often marginalised, to get involved in decision-making processes and take on leadership roles within the camps. Your role will involve seeking new funding for Karenni, particularly from institutions, and training your colleagues in fundraising processes and strategies.

What does the role involve?

• Seeking new funding opportunities for the organisation
• Developing new and maintaining existing relationships with donors
• Training Karenni staff in fundraising strategies, proposal and report-writing
• Exploring new potential partnership opportunities to support Karenni's work

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You'll need at least two years' experience in fundraising, ideally raising funds from companies and institutions.  Experience in project management and monitoring and evaluation are essential, as are strong proposal and report writing skills. You'll also need excellent communication and networking skills, as a large part of the role will involve developing relationships and partnerships with other organisations.  The needs of the Thailand-Burma border are huge, and therefore patience, flexibility and a realistic expectation of what can be achieved are important.  A sense of adventure would be beneficial as you'll be living in a rural area, travelling around by motorbike, (VSO will provide training).

And the rest...

Mae Hong Son is Thailand's northern border city and is well known for its stunning scenery and diverse culture.  Many different hill tribes, mainly from Burma, live in small villages dotted around densely forested mountains.  You can either live in Mae Hong Son town and commute to work by motorbike (20km) if you prefer a more sociable base, or VSO can provide accommodation in the small village of Ban Nan Soi, where the Karenni office is situated.

We'll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more.  When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

Fifteen percent of the adult population in Mozambique is living with HIV and AIDS and it is estimated that by 2010 life expectancy will be just 36 years. VSO volunteers are working to improve the structure and management of local community-based organisations so they can provide better services to people living with HIV and AIDS, especially to marginalised groups such as women and vulnerable children.

Ahitipaluxeni is one of those organisations. Established by women living with HIV and AIDS in 2004, Ahitipaluxeni is a small organisation that provides home-based care to people infected by HIV, and offers income generating activities to affected families, women and orphans. The organisation wants to expand its vital services but is currently lacking the funding and organisational capacity to do so. As a fundraiser with Ahitipaluxeni, you’ll build their organisational capacity and help to ensure their financial sustainability.

What does the role involve?

• Assisting the organisation in developing a strategic plan for their programmes as well as a fundraising strategy  
• Planning and writing project proposals 
• Training staff in raising funds for the organisation 
• Supporting the development and implementation of new HIV and AIDS programmes
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need a degree level qualification with at least two years' experience as a fundraiser with proposal writing and strategy development. You’ll also need strong communication and interpersonal skills and be a flexible team player. Basic knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage, but is not essential, as long as you’re willing to learn.  A positive attitude and good sense of humour are important qualities as you will need to adapt to a new cultural way of working and living.

And the rest...

Mozambique lies on the eastern coast of southern Africa bordering Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Its stunning coastline stretches over 2,470km along the Indian Ocean. You’ll be based in coastal Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. There are plenty of shops and facilities and the local fish market, located on the north end of Avenue Marginal is reputed to be one of the best places in Africa for fresh fish and seafood. You’re most likely to live in a flat within walking distance of the office.

We’ll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

There are over 300,000 people living with blindness in Kenya. Visually impaired individuals often have poor access to basic public services and employment opportunities. The Kenya Union for the Blind (KUB) aims to improve the participation of visually impaired people in all segments of society. The KUB has established itself as the most important national organisation for the blind in Kenya, with branches in 42 districts within the country.

Although KUB is a rapidly developing organisation, it is lacking essential fundraising and publicity skills to ensure its sustainability. You will be using your skills in the Nairobi branch to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness, developing fundraising initiatives as well as co-ordinating publicity activities. Your contribution will have a lasting effect, enabling KUB to strengthen not only its funding but public awareness of the needs and aspirations of the visually impaired.

What does the role involve?

• Working closely with the KUB staff to develop project and funding proposals and identifying potential donors
• Developing a KUB resource mobilisation policy
• Setting up and managing the KUB website
• Liaising with the media and developing media and publicity campaigns

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have a degree level qualification with at least three years’ experience of working with charitable organisations. You’ll be computer literate and have some experience in web development. Additionally, experience in event planning and good report writing skills are also required.

Ingenuity and resourcefulness are necessary qualities to overcome the limited resources within KUB. As well as being a strong team player, you’ll also be able to work independently with minimum supervision. KUB is looking for someone who can empathise with the needs of the visually impaired and who will enjoy integrating fully into Kenyan society.

And the rest...

Founded by the British just over 100 years ago, Nairobi (meaning ‘cool waters’) is the capital of Kenya. It’s one of the largest cities in Africa with a population of around three million. Nairobi is described by many as the greatest city in East Africa, a pleasantly laid-back place surrounded by magnificent scenery. You’ll live in a one bedroom flat with its own water and electricity, a kitchen and sitting room. You’ll have no problem getting fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods from local markets.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our support package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.