About Blossom
Blossom Trust was founded in 1993 as a grassroots NGO with an initial focus on the social and economic empowerment of underprivileged women and a safe and nurturing space for vulnerable children living in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. Over time, our work has broadened into supporting those living with HIV/AIDS, TB and diabetes and building community capacity in disadvantaged areas of Tamil Nadu, while still remaining true to our original objective of female empowerment.
Blossom has built its international donor base with volunteer outreach, an internship programme and establishing partnerships with global stakeholders, involving beneficiaries in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its projects.
Our goal is to create a strong foundation for sustainable community ownership and national coalitions for marginalised individuals. We aim to achieve this through building community-based institutions, promoting community awareness, and supporting community development through grassroots initiatives. In responding to the needs of our beneficiaries, Blossom Trust works in a variety of domains ranging from economic empowerment and microfinance, to environmentally-focused agriculture, to health advocacy and forums supporting transgender communities and individuals infected/affected by HIV/AIDs and TB. To find out more about our vision, mission and current projects, visit our website: https://www.blossomtrust.org
What We're Looking For
Blossom Trust is seeking a highly motivated Project Coordinator to join us on the ground at our office in Virudhunagar to help us strengthen existing and prospective projects, target regional growth opportunities, and develop and implement strategies in line with our goals in Tamil Nadu. We are looking for someone with a basic knowledge of the project cycle to support the development of public health, agricultural and economic proposals targeting marginalized populations in India.
Our immediate priority is the development of our agricultural project, particularly focusing on funding success. We are also implementing a COVID-19 project, a Transgender Peer Support and Advocacy network, and a Tuberculosis Civil Society Network for TB Advocacy and TB treatment adherence. These are all undertaken with a focus on the empowerment and agency of women and LGBTQIA+ community members. Any specific experience in these areas is preferred, but not required.
You will work alongside the Project Development Team and the Director of Blossom Trust, Mercy Annapoorani. As we are a local NGO with resource limitations, candidates must be flexible and ready to take on other responsibilities as needed. Candidates will work collaboratively in a small team but will need to be able to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
Responsibilities
As Project Coordinator you will be part of the team that is in charge of creating new projects, overseeing the currently running projects and evaluating completed projects.
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Research: Identify gaps and possible opportunities in the region. To develop a proposal, you must familiarize yourself with the foundation's goals and with our project’s financial needs. You will need to stay up to date on current best practices in the development field.
Planning: Develop and track an internal calendar of proposal deadlines for applying, monitor and evaluating community impact and report findings to stakeholders.
Report Writing: Prepare concept papers, letters of inquiry, donor reports, proposals and project outlines.
Project Development: Research possible funding opportunities and develop project proposals to submit for grants from both local and international donor agencies and CSR spaces.
Project Management: Support the Project team on the ground to ensure that the project activities and outputs are in line with Blossom’s donor requirements and organisational policies.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluating projects success and making the necessary changes, researching successful project implementation methods and incorporating them.
Donor Relations: *Support the communications between Blossom Trust and other stakeholders connected to the organisation.*
Communications & Fundraising: Maintain Blossom Trust’s communication and fundraising strategy, including the preparation of written communications in line with Blossom’s values, updating the website and leading the write up of newsletters and reports. Maintain our crowdfunding projects, and identify new potential fundraising opportunities. Assist with the creation of flyers, brochures, infographics to visualise the impact of Blossom Trust.
Social Media: Maintaining Blossom Trust’s social media accounts, developing new editorial calendars and innovative content, alongside writing up social media analysis reports.
Volunteer Management: Oversee the recruitment, screening and stay of volunteers.
Qualifications and Skills
Required
Bachelor's degree, preferably in International Development, Global Health or a related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of the project cycle.
Strong writing and research skills.
Experience in organising and prioritising work.
Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Drive.
Effective team player with the ability to work and think independently, and to be resourceful and proactive.
Adaptable, resourceful, patient, and respectful of diversity and cultural differences.
Proficiency in English.
Desired
Masters degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Global Health, Gender Studies, Agriculture, or any other related field.
Experience with grant writing.
Experience living in or knowledge about the Global South.
Demonstrated interest or experience in India.
Demonstrated interest in international development.
Demonstrated interest in HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, COVID-19 and/or Diabetes.
Demonstrated interest in environmental development and agriculture.
Demonstrated interest in women’s rights, LGBTQIA+, or gender challenges.
Duration
Given the current opening of India, the position will be situated in Tamil Nadu with the rest of the team. However, depending on the VISA process and entry requirements of the candidates this could be subject to change which means that the project coordinator can work remotely until they are able to come on the ground.
Working in Tamil Nadu
The successful candidate will be based in the Blossom Trust office in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu where basic accommodation and simple food will be provided. Our team in Tamil Nadu works on a full-time basis from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday.
We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months, starting ASAP. Longer stays are welcome, please state your preference in the cover letter.
Compensation
The project coordinator will be offered a stipend when working in Tamil Nadu. This will include a 3,000 INR stipend per month, simple lunch meals per day (6 days a week) and basic accommodation in Virudhunagar.**
How to apply:
How to Apply
Please send your CV along with a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, your proficiencies/suitability to the role and your intended time commitment to communications@blossomtrust.co.in.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close applications when a suitable candidate is found. Please message communications@blossomtrust.co.in if you have any questions regarding the position.
Due to the nature of this job, we strongly encourage women to apply for this position.
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