How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to Act Change Transform (Act) on act.or.ke to apply.
Master the Donor Landscape Before You Apply
This role lives at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and grant writing. Hiring managers will probe how well you know bilateral and multilateral donors in Eastern Africa, and how you've turned that knowledge into winning proposals.
1. Map your donor wins: On your CV, list specific proposals you led or contributed to, naming the donor (e.g., USAID, EU, DFID) and the sector. Quantify the funding secured if possible. This gives immediate proof of your track record.
2. Show sector depth: Act! works in democracy, peace building, environment, and civil society. Highlight any experience in these areas, even if it was a smaller component of a larger project. Use keywords from the posting in your CV.
3. Prepare a portfolio: Bring samples of concept notes and proposals you've written. Be ready to walk through your process: how you analyzed the call, designed the intervention, and budgeted. This demonstrates your writing and design skills.
4. Practice your pitch: You'll likely face a panel. Prepare a 2-minute summary of a successful proposal you led, focusing on your role and the outcome. This shows your communication and presentational skills.
5. Understand partnership development: Be ready to discuss how you've cultivated nontraditional donors—maybe private sector, foundations, or high-net-worth individuals. Share a concrete example of how you built such a relationship.
6. Show multitasking ability: The role requires working with multiple project teams. Give examples of how you've managed competing deadlines and priorities without dropping the ball. Use the STAR method.
7. Research Act! thoroughly: Know their strategic objectives, current projects, and funding gaps. Mention specific ways your expertise can help them achieve their mission. This shows genuine interest and initiative.
8. Prepare questions: Ask about their current funding portfolio, challenges in resource mobilization, and how success is measured. This demonstrates your strategic thinking and genuine engagement.