Grant Proposal Writer - Ethical Fintech & Interest-Free Microfinance
Organizational Context
Rousto Charity aims to foster social, economic, and intellectual development in Tajikistan, with a focus on empowering youth and women. The organization is launching an innovative, interest-free crowdfunding platform to support low-income entrepreneurs, farmers, marginalized communities, and charities. This initiative addresses the lack of accessible funding in the region and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 8. The platform will utilize digital technology to connect borrowers with zero-percent interest capital and direct charitable funding, promoting economic growth and poverty reduction.
Job Purpose
This role supports Rousto Charity's critical effort to secure funding from the Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program. The primary objective is to ensure the grant application is professionally articulated, technically compliant, and successfully submitted through the Cisco portal. The successful candidate will play a key part in enabling the deployment of the organization's initial software build for its ethical, interest-free microfinance platform. This contribution is vital for paving the way for a scalable regional rollout of the platform, which aims to empower underserved populations in Tajikistan and the CIS region by providing accessible financial resources and fostering economic opportunities.
Responsibilities
The online volunteer will assist Rousto Charity in completing and submitting a grant application on the Cisco Grants and Cash Donations portal. Key tasks include supporting the completion of the Cisco Eligibility Quiz to ensure compliance with grant parameters. The volunteer will help draft and complete the Letter of Inquiry (LOI), providing precise answers regarding organizational metrics. They will also assist in framing the platform's technical and Shariah-compliant microfinance mechanics into application fields, highlighting the impact of the zero-interest framework and digital tools. Furthermore, the role involves coordinating with the internal team to gather necessary organizational documentation and operational details, and reviewing/editing all text fields within the portal to ensure a polished and professional final submission.
Work Experience
The ideal candidate will have experience in grant writing, resource mobilization, or corporate fundraising, with a demonstrated history of securing grants from institutional or corporate foundations. Experience navigating online grant portals and managing complex application workflows, particularly with corporate philanthropy tools, is essential. Familiarity with the Cisco Grants portal is considered a strong asset.
Skills
Required skills include professional writing, editing, and communication abilities in English, with the capacity to translate complex financial models into clear social development narratives. Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate with remote, cross-functional teams are necessary. Familiarity with international development frameworks, inclusive finance, and UN Sustainable Development Goals is also important. Expertise in partnerships, resource mobilization, project management, program development, and strategy is desirable.