Project Development Volunteer

Information

Common information

Acted has been operating in Kyrgyzstan since 1999, working to address the country’s main challenges by fostering opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development, especially for remote and marginalized communities. Over the years, Acted has built diverse sectoral expertise and used participatory approaches to build resilience across an array of sectors. As a result, Acted has long standing partnerships with communities, government agencies, civil society and international development partners. In line with Acted's global "3Zero" Strategy: Zero Exclusion, Zero Poverty, Zero Carbon, Acted in Kyrgyzstan works on strengthening civil society and good governance, gender equality, green economy and sustainable development, natural resource management and climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency response. 

Acted is looking for committed and highly motivated recent graduates who would like to grow and build a career as a development professional within the organisation.

The Project Development Volunteer is expected to contribute to the development of project proposals in line with Acted’s global and in-country programme strategy, and ensure proper grant management, incl. timely reporting of project achievement to donors. The Project Development Volunteer facilitates internal communication and coordination with relevant departments, and contributes to Acted external communication strategy and social media profiles.

Qualification requirements

• A degree or diploma in international relations/political sciences or other relevant field
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Kyrgyz or Russian
• Previous related work or volunteer experience, with knowledge of proposal writing, reporting and donor relations an advantage
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and to meet tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel for work and stay in often remote areas
• Well-rounded communication skills, social competencies and ability to work in a team
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft office, etc.); knowledge of additional software an advantage
• Skills and experience in photography / using social media for public outreach a distinct plus

Duties

1. Grant Management

1.1 Contract follow-up

a) Communicate contractual obligations in particular with regards to reporting deadlines to Programme, MEAL and FLATS team;

b) When any issue is identified in meeting deliverables in the given timeframe and budget, inform relevant staff in country and seek advice on potential solutions.

1.2. Reporting

a) Participate in and take minutes of kick-off and close out meetings for each project

b) Write quality narrative reports, reflecting the progress and status of projects in a transparent, timely and professional manner, in liaison with Acted HQ GMU and finance, which will contribute ultimately to steady cash inflow;

c) Work in close relation with MEAL Unit to incorporate MEAL data (incl. data on input, process, output, outcome and impact indicators, lessons learnt and best practices) in reports and review M&E reports from MEAL Unit;

d) Liaise with FLATS teams when preparing reports, especially with finance to ensure greater coherence between financial and narrative reports by crosschecking the matching of data in the narrative and financial reports;

e) Contribute to the monthly update of the Reporting Follow Up (RFU) and ensure smooth and regular communication with Acted HQ GMU.

f) Address ad hoc requests from donors in liaison with the CD, Programme and support teams.

1.3 Partner Follow-up

a) Ensure partners report to Acted in a timely and qualitative manner as per the requirements of the grant agreement.

2. Internal Coordination

2.1. Internal Coordination and Communication

a) Facilitate interdepartmental communication and information sharing from the Base, to the Area, Capital, and even up to the regional and HQ offices by taking minutes of the various Acted coordination meetings

b) Send meeting minutes in a timely manner to staff / HQ;

c) Inform Acted HQ GMU and finance of latest developments, opportunities and challenges so that GMU can best advice on the way forward.

2.2. Filing

a) File properly contractual project documents both in hard and soft copies;

3. External Communication

a) Contribute to Acted external communication strategy by preparing social media content, flash news, pictures, articles on projects progress and/or specific events for Acted communication tools, including, but not limited to social media pages, newsletters, and annual reports;

4. Fundraising

4.1 External relations

a) Update regularly a directory of donors, international and local NGOs, other partners and stakeholders;

b) Contribute when required to the reporting to national and local authorities as required by Acted registration/legal status in country;

4.2 Contribution to proposal development

a)  Contribute when required to the development of fundraising documents (Expression of Interests/concept notes/proposals) in line with Acted country strategy and donor requirements and in close collaboration with Acted HQ GMU and finance;

b) Liaise with Area Coordinators, Project Managers and Technical Coordinators to ensure that proposals are relevant and technically sound;

c) Incorporate learning from previous interventions (e.g. lessons learnt and best practices) into new proposals;

4.1 Contracting

a) Contribute to addressing in a timely manner all comments by donors on proposals in liaison with relevant staff in country and Acted HQ GMU and finance;

Conditions

All interested candidates are required to submit CV and Cover Letter in English explaining their motivation to apply to Acted with the subject line “Project Development Volunteer” and three references to the following email: kyrgyzstan.jobs@acted.org. The deadline for applications is 23:59 p.m., October 15, 2024. 

Acted is an equal opportunities employer. Female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.  

As a full-time volunteer will be eligible for a daily allowance 10 USD NET and benefits package and opportunities for regional and international travel, training and promotion. 

OPEN TO KYRGYZSTAN NATIONALS ONLY