UNV Grant Proposal Development for Entrepreneurship Innovation & Responsible AI

Job Posting Organization:
Action Lab for Development is an organization dedicated to advancing education, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and advocacy to empower entrepreneurs and newcomers while promoting creative economies in Canada. Established in 2024 as an Extra-Provincial Corporation in Alberta, Canada, the organization has been granted special consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2020, showcasing its commitment to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The organization operates primarily in Canada and focuses on five key objectives: providing tools and opportunities for creative innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling networking and training activities, educating about fair business practices, guiding emerging entrepreneurs, and encouraging youth involvement in volunteering. The organization aims to positively impact local innovators, particularly newcomers facing integration challenges, by providing access to education and resources that empower them to create practical solutions for their communities.

Job Overview:
The position involves supporting grant proposal development for initiatives that focus on entrepreneurship, open-source community software, and responsible artificial intelligence. The volunteers will be tasked with researching funding opportunities and crafting tailored grant proposals that align with the Association's programs and the priorities of potential donors. The objective of this role is to enhance the Association's capacity to mobilize resources by developing high-quality, evidence-informed, and donor-aligned grant proposals. These proposals will support initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, community innovation, digital inclusion, and responsible AI through the Association's Entrepreneurship Support Program and other platforms. Volunteers will engage in a collaborative process to ensure that the proposals reflect the mission and goals of the organization while meeting the specific requirements of funding organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Each online volunteer will be responsible for researching assigned funding opportunities, reviewing donor priorities, eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and deadlines. They will develop three tailored grant proposals for identified funding opportunities, preparing all necessary components such as project summaries, needs statements, objectives, activities, expected results, implementation approaches, and sustainability strategies. Volunteers must ensure that each proposal clearly demonstrates relevance, feasibility, innovation, and expected impact. They will align proposals with the Association's mission, programs, target beneficiaries, and development priorities, adapting them to meet the specific requirements of each funding organization. Additionally, volunteers will review and refine proposals for clarity, accuracy, consistency, professionalism, and alignment with donor requirements, incorporating feedback from the internal team and preparing final drafts for approval. Each volunteer is expected to complete three tailored grant proposals during the assignment period, contributing to a collective goal of approximately nine grant proposals.

Required Qualifications:
Volunteers should possess strong research and writing skills, with the ability to develop clear and compelling grant proposals. They should have a good understanding of grant writing processes and donor requirements, as well as experience in working with non-profit organizations or in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. Familiarity with the principles of responsible AI and open-source community software will be advantageous. Volunteers must demonstrate attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and effective communication skills to collaborate with the internal team.

Educational Background:
A background in fields such as business administration, social sciences, international development, or a related area is preferred. Relevant coursework or training in grant writing, fundraising, or project management will be beneficial for this role.

Experience:
While specific years of experience are not mandated, prior experience in grant writing, proposal development, or working with non-profit organizations is highly desirable. Volunteers should be comfortable conducting research and synthesizing information to create persuasive proposals that align with donor expectations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all proposals and communications will be conducted in English. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they align with the target demographics of the funding opportunities being pursued.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing volunteers to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Each volunteer must have access to a laptop and participate in weekly coordination meetings held online every Wednesday from 2:00–2:30 PM UTC. The role is part-time, and the duration of the assignment is not specified, but it is expected that volunteers will complete their proposals within a reasonable timeframe. Compensation details are not provided, but the role offers valuable experience in grant writing and resource mobilization within a supportive organizational environment.