India: Development Officer

About Blossom

Blossom is a grassroots non-profit organisation founded in 1993 in Tamil Nadu, India. Blossom is working towards the personal, social and economic development of disadvantaged and marginalized members of the community – especially women and children. The projects and activities of Blossom Trust fall into four main areas of focus:

1. Health: Community-based prevention and care of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS
2. Economic empowerment: Helping marginalized women who have been affected by HIV/AIDS and/or TB become economically self sufficient through a variety of trainings)
3. Children: Working with children affected by HIV/AIDS and/or TB to ensure they have access to education.
4. Environment and Agriculture: Project related to the Dayspring Organic Farm.

More information may be found on the website.

What We're Looking For

Blossom Trust is seeking a highly motivated Development Officer to help us grow and develop projects through grant writing and fundraising, and help us refine our marketing, communication and outreach strategies. At the moment we are focusing on projects on: women's sexual and reproductive health and rights, WASH, Diabetes, and agriculture. We are also in the process of establishing CSR partnerships.

It is important that you have analytical and problem-solving skills, a strong attention to detail and are able to work under pressure with minimum supervision. You will work in a small team, but be primarily self-directed and adaptable to ever-changing situations.

If you have what it takes to cut through the noise and make the needs of the marginalised in our community seen and heard, then you are the kind of person we are looking for.

You will work alongside the current Development Officer and the director of Blossom, Mercy Annapoorni.

Duration & Start Date

The successful candidate will be based in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, on a full-time basis (9:30-6:30, Monday to Friday) for a period of 4 months. Longer stays are welcome, please state your preference in the cover letter.

Start date is as soon as possible, ideally the 1^st of September (or sooner). Applicants who are available to start straight away will be preferred.

Roles and Responsibilities

The work you will be entrusted with is crucial to the success of Blossom Trust.

• Organise: You may be working on several projects at once under tight deadlines.

• Strong planning skills: meticulous attention to detail; capacity to balance multiple projects. Develop and track internal calendar of donor deadlines for reporting, proposals, and other engagement moments. Identify relevant funding opportunities, flag requests for proposals and other grant opportunities.

• Prepare: Concept papers, donor reports and proposals

• Manage: Short-term volunteers come to Blossom on a fairly regular basis. Together, with the Media and Communications Officer, you will work to help orchestrate their travel, and over-see any other types of works they will be performing during their time at Blossom

• Research: Each proposal begins with research. To develop a proposal, you must familiarize yourself with our programs, goals and financial needs as well as current trends and best practices in the development field.

• Social Media: Update social media pages, generate and develop creative strategies. Monitor social media analytics and use relevant data to improve outreach efficiency.

• Website: Write blogs, and update web-pages.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required, Master's degree preferred

• Ideally in International Development, Business Administration, Human Rights, Marketing, Communication, or a related field

• Knowledge and interest in writing and research preferred.

• Proficiency in English required

• Excellent written and oral communication

Skills and Experience

• Excellent grammar and strong research skills needed
• Experience in organising and prioritising own work
• Effective team player with the ability to work and think independently, and to be resourceful and proactive
• Demonstrated interest in international issues and non-profit work
• Experience in project development and grant-writing
• Experience with living and/or working in India is an advantage

Competencies

• Work well under pressure
• Adaptable
• Patient
• Respectful of diversity and cultural differences
• Self-directed
• Works well in a team

Compensation

• 3 000 Rupees per month
• Free Food & Accommodation

If interested, please send your CV and a personal statement highlighting your interest to: blossom.internal@gmail.com

We review applications on a rolling basis so early applications are strongly encouraged. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!