Volunteer Resource Development Officer – Mwanza, Tanzania 6-12 month placement with Option of Renewal – start early 2015.

Railway Children is a UK based development agency delivering support programmes for children alone and at risk on the streets in the UK, East Africa and India. Railway Children operates through subsidiaries in the regions in which we work. All Railway Children subsidiaries are independently registered but remain aligned under our common vision of a world where no child has to live on the streets. Railway Children Africa was formed in 2010 and delivers support for children directly, and through local partners. Having secured some significant grants for our work in Mwanza, Tanzania, and Nairobi and Kitale in Kenya from 2012 we are now looking to include a support function within the RCA team to help both RCA itself and its partners ensure that these grants can be delivered, and to begin to look beyond the lifespan of the grants to secure ongoing support for our work.

You will be part of a small team of six staff and volunteers based in the region. This role will provide you with a massive opportunity to help shape the future of Railway Children Africa and to grow within the organisation. It is crucial that you are a self starter, that you are able to work on your own initiative, to motivate yourself and to organise and manage your own time.

You will be managed and supported by our UK based East Africa Regional Director (EARD) who will spend a significant amount of time in the region. Based in Tanzania, either in Mwanza or Dar es Salaam, you will work alongside our Programme Support team. Your specific functions are outlined below.

A volunteer expenses package including flights, insurance, permits, accommodation and subsistence allowance is available. To apply for this post please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]. The closing date is 28th November 2014.

Purpose:

To assist the Programme Support team and Documentation and Learning Office to ensure that targets are met that result in lasting change for children on the streets and that reports are submitted that meet all current donor requirements.

To raise the profile of RCA in the region and to forge links with possible funders from the International Development and Corporate Sectors.

To assist RCA and its partners to develop their resourcing strategies and to work with them to introduce income generation initiatives in to their organizational plans.

Responsibilities:

Maintain and develop generative, participatory relationships with RCA staff, partners and collaborating agencies.

Support the Documentation and Learning Office where necessary in the analysis and compilation of reports for existing RCA donors.

Liaise with UK office to assist in the development of a fundraising strategy within RCA.

Assist partners to develop fundraising strategies relevant for them.

Write concept notes and assist in writing more complex funding applications to target donors agreed with the EARD.

Make contact and build relationships with target donors agreed with the EARD.

Continue to research and identify potential sustainable donors within the East Africa region that may be interested in the work of RCA.

Lead in the development of awareness raising initiatives that can include an element of income generation in parallel to them.

Liaise with the UK office in the development of communications materials specific to RCA that help raise awareness of our work and help engage with potential supporters.

Comply with all relevant Railway Children Africa policies and procedures including child safeguarding, code of conduct and other relevant policies etc.

Key Competencies:

Candidates with existing contacts and networks in Tanzania, together with candidates that have the following experience, skills and attitude are strongly encouraged to apply.

Experience:

o Writing funding proposals and securing grants from institutional donors. o Working within international NGOs or international funding agencies. o Report writing to international donors. o Corporate account management. o Event management and organization.

Skill sets:

o Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage confidently at Senior Executive Level. o Excellent communication skills. o Proficiency in all applications of MS Office, especially Word and Excel. o Strong presentation skills. o Fluent in English. o Knowledge of Kiswahili Desirable o Organizational and event management skills. o Being analytical and having eye for detail.

Attitude:

o Flexible ‘can do’ mentality. o Alignment with core organisational values of mutual respect, collaboration, commitment to learning and integrity. o Commitment to working on the cause of children in difficult circumstances o Willingness to travel within East Africa o Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team. o Sense of balance and ability to work under pressure. o Dynamism and a strong sense of ‘doing what it takes’ for the cause.