Grant Writer

Job Posting Organization:
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada is a humanitarian organization committed to providing medical care to those in need, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. Established in 1971, MSF Canada operates with a mission rooted in medical ethics, independence, neutrality, and impartiality. The organization has grown significantly since its inception and now employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality medical care in crisis situations. MSF Canada operates in multiple countries around the world, responding to emergencies and providing essential healthcare services to vulnerable populations. The organization is guided by its core values of respect, integrity, inclusion, discovery, learning, boldness, impact, transformation, and shared responsibility, which shape its culture and drive its social mission.

Job Overview:
The Grant Writer position at MSF Canada is a pivotal role that involves producing high-value philanthropic communications aimed at driving fundraising results for various initiatives, including legacy gifts, major gifts, corporate donations, and foundation support. Under the guidance of the Senior Manager of Philanthropy, the Grant Writer will be responsible for coordinating with operational centers and stakeholders within the Canadian office to gather essential information and craft persuasive grant applications, proposals, and reports. The role requires collaboration with various teams, including Fundraising, Humanitarian Affairs, Communications, and Finance, to ensure that all written materials comply with Canadian regulatory requirements and align with MSF's internal operational and reporting standards. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver compelling, donor-centered materials that inspire investment and deepen donor engagement, translating complex operational information into narratives that clearly articulate the case for support.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Grant Writer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: delivering compelling philanthropic materials that inspire donor investment; translating complex operational information into persuasive narratives; producing high-quality grant applications, proposals, and reports that meet deadlines and exceed funder expectations; proactively collaborating with internal stakeholders to surface strong programmatic content; continuously strengthening the quality and strategic alignment of philanthropic communications; working closely with the Grant Manager in Humanitarian Affairs to review public institutional proposals and reports; building trusted relationships with humanitarian affairs, operational centers, and technical advisors to gather timely and accurate content for donor communications; developing tailored donor reports that transparently communicate project outcomes and challenges; ensuring alignment of content with MSF's advocacy and communications strategies; and identifying opportunities to strengthen donor materials by incorporating key organizational messaging.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess considerable professional experience in writing, particularly in grant writing or journalism, with a proven track record of securing major donations from both private and public sources. Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills are essential, along with the ability to tailor content for high-value donors while maintaining operational accuracy. A strong understanding of philanthropic fundraising practices, restricted funding mechanisms, and donor stewardship principles is required. Candidates should also have knowledge of compliance issues related to Canadian charitable giving and the ability to apply internal organizational policies and procedures. The ability to translate complex operational, financial, and medical information into accessible and compelling narratives is crucial, as is being highly organized, deadline-driven, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. A collaborative spirit and excellent interpersonal skills are necessary, as the role involves working across departments and with international colleagues.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Media, International Development, or a related field is required. Alternatively, an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. Candidates should demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English, and proficiency in French is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have considerable professional experience in writing, particularly in grant writing or journalism. A proven track record of working with fundraisers to secure major donations from both private and public sources is essential. Experience within an international NGO, humanitarian, or medical organization is also an asset, as it will provide valuable context for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in French is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and broaden the candidate's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The position operates under a hybrid model, requiring a minimum of 40% presence in the MSF Canada office per week. Regular working hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with core hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and occasional evenings or weekends may be required. The work environment is open-concept, featuring a modern workspace. Benefits include comprehensive group insurance (health, dental, life, AD&D, prescriptions, etc.), a 5% RRSP contribution (no matching required), four weeks of vacation annually, health spending accounts, flexible work hours, an annual professional development budget, an Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and access to internal Psychosocial Care Unit Services. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, as MSF Canada cannot support or relocate candidates from outside the country. This vacancy notice is for an existing position and is not intended to create an ongoing candidate pool for future openings. Qualified applications will be individually assessed for this role only.