JOB POSITION As a Grant Writer and Resource Mobilizer, you will have the unique opportunity to be a part of a new strategic approach of MasterPeace to build cohesiveness and increase the activities in Asia through fundraising and effective project implementation. You will be a path maker, a pioneer, with the audacious goal of mobilizing resources for joint projects of MasterPeace Clubs within this region. These resources will enable the Clubs to increase their local impact at the grassroots level. The grant writer will be responsible for locating, researching, and applying for potential funding opportunities in order to ensure successful budget operation. 

The ideal candidate should have previous experience in the grant writing field and understand the non-profit organisations and environment. This position will be full-time. If you are motivated, hard-working, please do not hesitate to apply. Although applicants with prior experience will be given priority, we also encourage fresh graduates to apply if you think you are highly qualified. We would love to have you on our team!

Job Title: Grant Writer and Resource Mobilizer
Location: Based in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Job Type: Full Time.
Salary: TBD during the interview process. 
Work Days : 5 full days per week

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Reaching out to iNGOs, Corporate organizations, Foundations, Embassies, and UN Agencies with social impact ideas and onboarding them on the MasterPeace platform 
•  
• Research and identify grants that match the objectives of the organisation
• Develop proposals for matching grants 
• Communicate with our partner organisations
• Oversee preparation of grant proposals, conduct a final review, and ensure timely submission 
• Write a content for websites, social media and make a stories of a project events
• Develop a strategy, event, campaign and program with a team 
• Support administrative, communication , event management and project management when needed
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, partners and donors 
• Communicating regularly with the core team in the Netherlands, and seeking innovative fundraising approaches and new social impact ideas which are replicable and scalable from the global Clubs.
• Attending Project meetings and events as and when required.
• Traveling at least once a year to MasterPeace headquarters in the Netherlands.

Required skills and qualifications

• Ability to develop a proposal based on available resources
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to conduct thorough research and think out of the box
• Have an understanding of non-profit sectors and working environment
• Detail-oriented and ability to multitask Knowledge of current trends
• Ability to work in multicultural environment with global colleagues
• Ability to handle situation and meet deadline
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite tools and other internet applications

Preferred qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experiences in related field
• Experience working on a research team and securing grants
• Excellent written skills in English and strong attention to detail
• Preferably Master’s degree in International Relations, Social Work, Political Science, Sustainable Development, Development Economics or any other related discipline.

How to Apply:

Please Send Detailed CV, Cover Letter and Writing Sample (optional) to ashwini@masterpeace.org

After a thorough review of the CV and interview followed by, the best candidate will be decided by the Core-team of the organisations.

Deadline: January 20th, 2024.

Upcoming COOL Talks

Every Month, we will have insightful, concise and powerful dialogues on the various topic under SDGs as a COOL Talk by bringing and connecting experts, dedicated grassroot level actors, youths and other stakeholders.
For more details on the topic of the Talk, Date and Link to join, slide to next:

Slide to Find Out Next COOL Talk
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MasterPeace Launched the COOLeaders initiatives on the occasion of World Environment Day June 5, 2023. The MasterPeace COOLeaders program is building leadership at grass roots level, particularly in the youth for climate action and social transformation. Along with our clubs and partners throughout the world we are reaching out to more and more people and motivating them to take some practical actions which can make a major difference for this planet. Since its launch, the reactions from MasterPeace clubs, their communities, our global network and other stakeholders have been very positive and regard it as a “timely” and “relevant” program. The COOL Talk is one of the interventions of COOLeaders. We believe that dialogue is the best way to find any solution because it brings a different perspective to the table from a diverse audience which then contributes in building strategy and policy. So far, we have organized 4 amazing COOL Talks in Burundi, Uganda, Sri-Lanka and Kenya. As the details of the Burundi program was already published, here we present about other 3 COOL Talks.

COOL Birds and COOLeaders of Uganda

Masterpeace Uganda & Masterpeace Global has launched a project called "COOL Birds and COOLeaders of Uganda on August 30, 2023 with a COOLtalk with speakers from eco - tourism and birding community in Uganda as well as from Harvard university interacting with the audience.

This project addresses the problem of diminishing biodiversity cover and the bird population of Uganda. The project mission is to increase awareness and engage the people of Uganda, especially the children and youth about the rich biodiversity and culture of Uganda and motivate them to take practical actions to create the right environment for the protection of bird species and the indigenous culture. Masterpeace Uganda will be organizing several public events like workshops, seminars, performances, public art projects and also conducting bird watching trips in order to fulfill the project objectives. The project also works towards promoting sustainable tourism practices by involving the bird watching, cultural organization and the tourism industry in a discourse to protect biodiversity.

The project has won the award from The African Social Fund and this will further strengthen the project activities in 2024. 

Impact of climate change on development in Sri Lanka and potential solutions.

Sri Lanka COOL Talk is the first one from Asia in the MasterPeace Cool Talks series. Thanks to lead from MasterPeace Sri Lanka, more than 20 participants engaged in insightful conversation with experts from Sri Lankan public and private forums.

Sri Lanka is facing economic challenges and the impact of climate change, seeking climate financing and carbon credits. There's a notable absence of climate education at the grassroots level, emphasizing the necessity for improved communication channels. Recognizing the significance of climate justice, efforts are aimed at ensuring that the benefits of initiatives directly reach affected communities. Civil society groups are seen as key players in facilitating projects that bridge carbon markets with on-the-ground practices. Following a COOL Talk, it was agreed upon to engage in further deliberations to formulate projects addressing the key issues raised.

From the speakers Mr. Suranjan Kodithuwakku, CEO of Green Movement of Sri Lanka (GMSL)  and Mr. Thilak Kariyawasam, President,Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement (LOAM)  stressed on the fact that the process distribution of aid to the grassroots level to the most affected poor people is very inefficient and this needs to be addressed. They also stressed that they have raised this issue at the related forum at COP 28 summit and have tried to raise grants to address the  severe challenges faced by the farming and fishing communities due to climate change events.

COOLtalk Kenya titled food security to food sovereignty in the Global South.

Food security is a major challenge in the Global South, with issues like malnutrition, lack of access to nutritious and diverse foods, reliance on industrial/processed foods, etc. The need for immediate action from various levels is evident- from addressing basic hunger to building local food systems and markets to participating in global value chains sustainably.Agroecology and empowering smallholder farmers with knowledge and inputs is key to building resilient local food systems and food sovereignty.

Organizations like Slow Food Kenya are promoting food sovereignty through initiatives like community gardens, farmers markets, education programs, etc. On Dec 23, MasterPeace and MasterPeace Kenta jointly hosted a COOL Talk on the topic Food security to Food sovereignty in the Global South. 

Our guest speaker - Mr Amalesh Misra from Bengal who is a Chief Functionary at Paribesh Unnayan Samity , introduced his organization and work called folk school, which is mobilizing village children through indigenous sports and games and introducing them to indigenous seeds varieties and farming methods. He has invited Masterpeace to be part of the annual general meeting to discuss ways in which we can support this initiative. Mr. Kirti Mishra, Co-founder & Director, shared an overview of the key challenges and the strategies to counter the problem of food security and sovereignty.

Mr. Samson from Slow Food Kenya shared a brief of the various activities of his organization and also answered questions about the reception of these interventions in Kenya. He shared that the work of Slow Food Kenya had gone off to a slow start with much skepticism. However, the issue of healthy slow food as opposed to fast food has become more pertinent today and hence there is more acceptance and uptake now.

Apollo from MasterPeace Kenya shared a brief about the various challenges facing Kenya – both in the rural and urban area, which is leading to undernutrition and overnutrition respectively.

With these COOL Talks and upcoming, it is essential to transform dialogue into actions. As MasterPeace’s more than a decade work is also based on co-creation amongst the stakeholders to scale up grassroot level issues and initiatives. Eventually, the communities should benefit massively from this bottom-to-top approach. Thus, MasterPeace will keep facilitating in co-creating projects and campaigns which will be launched in 2024 to address the discussed issues. It was agreed that we will all be working in the future to explore ways in which we address the problem through collaboration.

Artivism, Gender & Sports : Women's Participation in Public Spaces: Importance and Challenges

The COOL talk took place on March 15 where 50+ participants were present in hybrid mode. As organized by MasterPeace Burundi with support from MasterPeace and Play International, the talk was mainly using Sports as a Artivism tool to empower women , address their challenges and possible opportunities for co-creation. Experts in such field delivered best practises and new idea to bring such topic forward.  

Fikiri emphasized the importance of women's participation in sports and other activities in public spaces, highlighting the benefits it can bring such as increased confidence, self-esteem, and potential financial benefits through professional sports. He noted the importance of encouraging women's participation, particularly in areas like Burundi where the numbers are low, even with efforts to engage women. Despite this, Fikiri pointed out some positive trends, such as increasing involvement of women in community organizations and village savings and loans associations. The importance of women's participation in decision-making and sports activities were underscored . He introduced speakers from various countries, including  Aart Bos, a global leader from the Netherlands, Somrita Urni Ganguly, a university professor from India, Hans Assisa, a business coach from BUJA Hub and Stephan Menard from Play International.

Sudipto, from MasterPeace COOLeader then welcomed everyone and emphasized the purpose of the gathering, which was to broaden understanding, stimulate further research, and inspire action. Sudipto and Istiak Ahmed, MP Bangladesh Leader, conversation focused on the challenges women face in participating in sports and other public activities, particularly in less developed countries. The discussion furthers around the progress made in professional women's sports and the increasing number of women involved in fitness activities. However, they noted that these advancements are not reflected in rural areas or in the digital space, where violence and aggressiveness often discourage women's participation. 

Soccer for Social Change and Youth Empowerment
Sudipto emphasized the need to create more physical, mental, and digital spaces where women can participate in public activities, including sports, to create a more balanced and less toxic society. Soccer for Social Change and Youth Empowerment All the speakers spent some time in discussion about using sports, particularly soccer, as a tool for social change and personal empowerment, especially for youth. Aart emphasized the role of soccer in uniting and empowering individuals, and suggested the potential for collaboration with organizations like UEFA and FIFA to secure resources.

Empowering Youth Through Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The coach highlighted the significance of empowering young people, particularly through initiatives like Baju hub, a tech hub that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. The coach emphasized that Baju hub has been instrumental in training thousands of young people and promoting over 100 companies since 2019. The coach also underscored the necessity for young people to understand the importance of teamwork and personal development, particularly in Burundi's post-war society. The coach stressed the impact of entrepreneurship in fostering peace and creating job opportunities. The coach also mentioned the importance of equipping young people with the right mindset and initiatives to contribute to a better control and stability in the country.

Sports for Women's Personality and Community Development The coach emphasized the importance of sports in fostering personality development and entrepreneurship.  Women have been underrepresented in sports due to inconsistencies in the sports system, but they are working to change this perception. The coach also stressed the role of sports in peace building and community development, as it teaches important social skills. They highlighted the need for more women to participate in sports at all levels, noting that it can inspire and motivate young women to contribute more effectively to their communities.  Gender Testing and Female Athlete PortrayalSomrita shared her research on the portrayal of female athletes under the male gaze in sports and literature. She explained how her interest in this topic was sparked by a conversation with an athlete in 2014. Somrita highlighted the issue of gender testing, where only female athletes are required to prove their gender, and the social anxiety surrounding the female body in sports. She also traced the history of women in sports, mentioning that female runners participated in the ancient Olympics. However, the meeting was briefly interrupted by technical issues.  Gender Norms and Fashion in Sports and SchoolsSomrita addressed the topic of fashion's influence on women's bodies, with a focus on dress codes in sports and personal life. She criticized the limitations imposed on women athletes and emphasized the need to reconsider dress codes in schools, citing her own experiences in missionary schools in Calcutta. Somrita also discussed the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as sports, and how gender norms and expectations impact women's participation. She highlighted the scrutiny women face due to their physical appearance and the pressure to conform to certain standards. Somrita also brought up the issue of the neoliberal patriarchy, pointing out how women's access to workout facilities is often tied to male gaze and the expectation of presentability. Gender Equality in Sports: A Call for Action The attendees discussed the importance of creating a safe and equal environment for all genders in sports, particularly for women. The need for individuals to take responsibility in creating a safe environment for athletes, and the role of individuals in bringing about change was emphasized. Fikiri highlighted the obstacles women face in participating in sports and the importance of discussing taboo topics. Istiak’s expressed interest in concrete plans for future actions and innovative ideas to tackle the unequal treatment of genders . 

Contact

If you've any ideas for COOLtalk Topics, Suggestions, and Feedback  and innovative thoughts about the MasterPeace COOLeaders program, please reach out to 

sudipta@masterpeace.org
ashwini@masterpeace.org

The Youth Engagement for Peaceful Elections (YEPE), has concluded with an inter-area football match, which brought together over 50 youths to bond and interact.
Though the political instability in the country is still on, we managed to engage the youths to positively contribute towards national development.

The football match was appreciated by locals and stakeholders as many youths heeded the call and were proactive towards the reduction of violence and political tension, thereby reducing the atrocities usually caused by regular civil unrest and death.
Many thanks to all our partners and MasterPeace Global for their continued support towards the success of the "YEPE Men" initiative as countless lives have been saved.

For the IDP 2023, MasterPeace Burundi organized three main activities: a seminar, a football festival, and the distribution of school kilts to vulnerable children. The aim was to raise awareness about issues related to climate change, highlight the importance of empowering children and survivors of climate issues as agents of environmental protection, and fight for gender justice. The activities were implemented in partnership with important stakeholders, including the US Embassy, the University of Burundi, the Burundi Football Federation (FFB), and dozens of volunteers. The three activities mobilized 100 kids for the football festival, 88 participants for the COOLtalk, and provided school kits to 148 kids from a camp that displaced people.

1. Education 4 All Campaign: School kits distribution in Maramvya camp for climate displaced people (Saturday the 16th September 2023):

With the support of our local women’s savings and loan associations, we organized a school kit distribution for 148 kids from the Maramvya camp for climate-displaced people. The camp is home to more than 10,000 people, whose entire neighborhood was destroyed by torrential rains and high sea levels in 2019. They were relocated to the camp. Unfortunately, they live in abject poverty, relying on external aid that is never enough to satisfy their needs. An initiative to support 200 women’s economic resilience in the camp helped create jobs and other opportunities for the women’s families. To show how the economic initiatives are progressing, the women contributed money for the education of vulnerable children in the camp. The women’s contribution was matched by MasterPeace Burundi’s volunteers, making it easy to support as many children as possible. In total, 148 children from the camp were supported.

2. COOLtalk: “Nexus between Climate Change and Peace” (Thursday the 21st September, 2023):

We held a hybrid (online and in-person) seminar on the theme “Nexus between Climate Change and Peace” in collaboration with the US Embassy in Burundi through their American Spaces Initiative. The embassy provided us with a space and all the tools that were used for the seminar (laptop, internet). Members of the University of Burundi’s Environment Club were the main target audience of the talk. The objective was to share knowledge on why peace is closely related to climate change. The target audience was the student community at one of the University of Burundi’s campuses. Ninety-four people attended (66 in person, 28 online). Among those who attended online were people from diverse countries, including Malawi, South Africa, the DRC, the USA, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, to name a few.

Our key speakers were Sneha Harsh from Harvard University, Sudipta Dawn from India, the main focal point for MasterPeace’s Cooleaders campaign, and Aart Bos, the global leader of MasterPeace. Specific examples prove this close linkage, including the never-ending resource-based herders-farmers conflicts in some West African countries (Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Sudan, etc.), the recruitment of combatants by the Al Shabab terrorist group from settlements for survivors of droughts in Somalia, and the multiple resource-based conflicts between host communities and survivors of environmental destruction in countries like Burundi. The discussion also emphasized the role of everyone in preventing the effects of climate change and building a resilient and environment-friendly society for future generations.

3. Football Festival: Combining football and campaign for climate justice (Saturday the 30th of September, 2023):

In partnership with the Burundi Football Association, we organized a football festival with children from Kinama, an underprivileged sector in Bujumbura. This event was organized on the 30th of September from 09:00 to 11:00 a.m. The main goal was to give children the possibility to play football and also to raise their awareness about the protection of the environment, the cleanliness of their neighborhood, the better use of plastic bottles, and other related aspects. The Burundi Football Association gave us permission to use the football pitch in Kinama and provided us with balls, chasubles, whistles, and other related materials. They also sent three representatives, including Joslin Bipfubusa, a senior football trainer and former coach of the
national football team and of some of the biggest football teams in Burundi and the East African region.

MasterPeace Burundi mobilized among its volunteers and other partners 40 volunteer coaches and football educators who came to support the implementation of the activity. A heartbeat video was even done.

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