Grant & Fundraising Lead - Volunteer

Eco Stem Africa; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational non-profit organization in the UK is seeking a Grant Writing & Fundraising Specialist to secure financial resources for STEM programs. This role involves writing compelling proposals, collaborating with the CEO and Board, and managing donor communication. Ideal candidates possess strong writing skills, attention to detail, and experience in research analysis. The success in this role will directly empower youth across Africa, contributing to innovative education initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to write concisely and persuasively with grammatical accuracy.
• Strong research skills to align funding with organizational goals.
• Meticulous attention to proposal compliance and deadline management.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify new funding opportunities aligned with mission.
• Write and tailor high-quality grant proposals that align with donor priorities.
• Collaborate with finance team to develop precise project budgets.
• Prepare reports ensuring compliance with grant terms and measurable results.

Skills

Technical Writing

Research & Analysis

Attention to Detail

Collaboration

Digital Literacy

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Grant Management Software

Job description

Fund African innovation! Can you help our organization secure resources for STEM clubs and equipment recycling? Can you build a high-impact fundraising portfolio and directly enable youth empowerment programs? Then this opportunity is for you!!

What difference will you make?

ECO STEM AFRICA is an innovative non-profit organisation working to transform education systems across Africa by promoting access to quality STEM learning. The organisation addresses environmental sustainability by repurposing and redistributing electronic and laboratory equipment from the UK and other regions to under-resourced schools and learning centres in Africa. Our ability to bridge the gap between need and opportunity relies entirely on securing the necessary financial resources.

Our mission is to empower the next generation of African innovators and problem-solvers through practical STEM education, teacher capacity building, and partnerships that bridge education, technology, and sustainability.

What are we looking for?

• Technical Writing Excellent command of English (British English preferred), with the ability to write concisely, persuasively, and with absolute grammatical accuracy.
• Research & Analysis Strong ability to research complex funding guidelines and analyse fit with organisational goals.
• Attention to Detail Meticulous approach to proposal compliance, budgeting, and deadline management.
• Collaboration Ability to work effectively and autonomously within a remote, lean team structure.
• Digital Literacy Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and familiarity with grant management software or databases.

What will you be doing?

The Grant Writing & Fundraising Specialist is a critical, mission-driven role responsible for securing the financial pipeline needed to sustain and expand ECO STEM AFRICA's programs. You will work directly with the CEO and Board to translate our project concepts—like establishing inclusive STEM clubs—into compelling, donor-ready proposals. This role requires exceptional persuasive writing skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a strategic mind to navigate the complex landscape of international education and development funding. Your success will directly determine our capacity to equip schools, train teachers, and empower hundreds of youth, particularly girls, across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Grant Prospecting Proactively research and identify new funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies aligned with our dual mission (STEM and sustainability).
• Proposal Development Write, edit, and tailor high-quality, evidence-based grant proposals, letters of inquiry (LOIs), and concept notes that clearly articulate the project's impact and alignment with donor priorities.
• Budget Narrative Collaborate with the finance team to develop precise project budgets and write compelling budget justifications that adhere to donor guidelines and demonstrate value for money.
• Reporting Prepare detailed interim and final reports for funded projects, ensuring full compliance with grant terms and providing clear evidence of measurable results and impact.
• Strategy Support Contribute to the development of ECO STEM AFRICA’s overall fundraising strategy, pipeline management, and annual fundraising goals.
• Documentation Maintain an organized, up-to-date repository of organisational documents (e.g., charity registration, financial statements, M&E results) required for applications.
• Donor Communication Assist in crafting customised thank you letters and updates for major donors and foundation contacts, nurturing long-term relationships.
• Knowledge Transfer Document and streamline the grant writing process, creating templates and guidelines to improve future application efficiency.

Expected Outcomes / Deliverables

• Funded Proposals Successfully secure funding from at least one new foundation or major donor within the first six months.
• Pipeline Report Produce a robust, segmented funding pipeline report of 10–15 viable opportunities per quarter.
• Proposal Template Develop a highly professional, reusable core proposal template (£30,000 to £90,000 range) for quick adaptation and submission.
• Impact Stories Curate a portfolio of 3-5 compelling impact narratives with measurable data points for use in proposals and reports.