Grant Writing Lead Development Sector

Location: Chennekothapalli, Andhra Pradesh
Experience: 3 to 5 years of professional experience in grant writing or communications within the development sector.
Compensation: Competitive

The Timbaktu Collective

The Timbaktu Collective is a grassroots non-profit organization established in 1990. It works toward the sustainable development of marginalized communities in the drought-prone districts of Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai in Andhra Pradesh. The Collective designs and implements programs across various thematic areas, including sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and community-led conservation.

A central focus of their work is fostering community participation and ownership to ensure that development initiatives are long-lasting. The organization operates from a rural base, managing diverse projects that require consistent fundraising and reporting to maintain their impact on the ground.

Role

This role is responsible for securing funding and managing the lifecycle of donor relationships. The Lead designs project proposals, drafts budgets in collaboration with internal teams, and ensures that all reporting requirements are met. The position requires a professional who can translate grassroots activities into compelling narratives for donors while maintaining rigorous documentation and monitoring frameworks.

Responsibilities

Develop detailed project proposals that align with the organization’s objectives and thematic focus areas.
Act as the primary liaison between the Collective and its donors to finalize project templates, grant amounts, and timelines.
Draft and submit timely donor reports by gathering data and insights from various program teams.
Manage all donor communications, including email correspondence and the maintenance of organized filing systems.
Update the donor reporting calendar monthly and provide progress reports to leadership.
Conduct field visits across different programs to gain a direct understanding of rural activities and project implementation.
Attend internal meetings to stay informed about project progress and any deviations from original proposals.

Requirements

A Postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study.
3 to 5 years of professional experience in grant writing or communications within the development sector.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English with an ability to articulate grassroots issues.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly in managing budgets and data analysis.
Experience in measuring project outcomes and social impact.
Ability and willingness to live and work in a rural setting.
Proficiency in Telugu is preferred to facilitate communication with local teams and communities.