WRITER/RESEARCHER

Job Summary:

This position is a six month full time contract, with possibility to extend.

The RDC (Resource Development Communications) writer/researchers support CARE’s fundraising efforts by gathering, writing and editing content (proposals, reports, human interest stories, dollar handles, unrestricted fundraising appeals, emergency updates, etc. that result in optimal financial support for and understanding of CARE’s work. Although most of the position’s work will focus on fundraising and stewardship products for major donors, the writer/researchers also support small-sum donor and on-line needs related to mailing/appeal review, provision of raw content and stories, etc. As part of the broader Resource Development team, writer/researchers will support the creation and dissemination of communications related to fundraising priorities, such as program briefs. The writer-researchers act as interpreters and analysts, gathering a wide array of information on CARE’s programs worldwide and turning this information into donor-ready fundraising and information products. A successful writer/researcher will have strong writing skills, proven ability to work under pressure, and a broad knowledge of international development issues.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop proposals and stewardship reports for CARE’s individual, foundation and corporate donors
   • The writer-researchers will prepare donor proposals and reports for a range of CARE projects and programs. This will require working with CARE country offices (COs) and technical teams to identify funding priorities, prepare, edit and finalize narrative proposal and report submissions, and work with the grants coordination team to review the budget narrative. Some of this work will require editing existing drafts, while at other times the writer-researcher will need to create products from the ground up, working closely with program counterparts. In addition to editing, the writer-researcher will need to identify relevant photos, human interest stories, maps, infographics, etc. to strengthen the submission. This responsibility requires the writers-researchers to lead proposal and report development teams.
   • To fulfill this responsibility, the RDC writer/researcher must have (1) an in-depth understanding of relief and development concepts and strategies; (2) broad knowledge of the characteristics of a variety of donor audiences; (3) a deep knowledge of CARE’s programmatic work, including individual CARE country strategies, programs and activities as well as of CARE’s technical areas, such as health, education, food and nutrition security or economic development; and (4) substantive knowledge of individual CARE country characteristics, including history, economics, political situation and cultural aspects.
2. Development communications and other writing/research assignments
   • In addition to proposals and reports, RDC writers-researchers are responsible for crafting other development communications to support CARE’s fundraising priorities, including major fundraising campaigns. In this capacity, the writers will conduct a variety of tasks, such as writing campaign program briefs; sourcing/creating dollar handles; gathering/identifying human interest stories; providing content for donor- facing websites and publications ; writing Unrestricted reports; doing relevant research, etc. To support these responsibilities, the development writers must have a broad understanding of all of CARE’s programmatic work and technical areas, as well as an understanding of how to obtain Program information from HQ and COs. This depth of knowledge is essential to producing fundraising products that contribute to CARE’s overall annual revenue goals.
   • RDC writer/researchers must be able to present sophisticated programmatic concepts in a variety of forms—all of which must provide saleable solutions that will attract donors and raise funds or convince donors to continue to provide funding. To do so, the writers must be able to adjust their product to the audience, which could be a private individual who will understand straightforward English, or a development professional who will require highly technical and specialized language.
3. Oversee and participate in special projects
   • The RDC writer/researchers oversee and/or participate in activities that have a direct bearing on CARE’s work and image. This includes serving as lead for the preparation of written materials that raise funds and interest for CARE’s response to emergencies. Writer/researchers often take long-term responsibility for reporting on emergency situations in order to keep interest and funding alive; written products may include donor reports, human interest stories and factsheets. Other projects might include support for COs in developing thier writing capacity, such as facilitating workshops or development of annual dollars handles. Each writer/researcher typically manages one significant project throughout the year and contributes to multiple smaller projects.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (International affairs, English/journalism, public health/development or technical area preferred).
• 3-5 years of writing experience or equivalent.
• Superior writing and research skills.
• Project management skills.
• Negotiating skills.
• Grants-writing proficiency.
• Proficiency in online research.
• Conceptual knowledge of relief and development programming.
• Cross-cultural communication skills.