Application Guide

How to Apply for Development Officer - fluent in English and Spanish

at Sacred Valley Health

🏢 About Sacred Valley Health

Sacred Valley Health is a grassroots public health organization serving rural communities in Peru's Sacred Valley. What makes this organization unique is its deep community integration and commitment to culturally sensitive healthcare, with a diverse revenue stream that includes individual donors, foundations, and earned income. Working here means contributing directly to impactful health programs in an underserved region while collaborating with a passionate, small team.

About This Role

As Development Officer, you will be the driving force behind fundraising efforts, managing grant writing, donor stewardship, and fund development strategies. This role is impactful because your work directly enables life-saving health programs in rural Peru, from maternal health to community education. You'll work closely with the Executive Director and Fund Development Committee to grow and diversify funding, ensuring the organization's sustainability.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking emails and updating the grants tracker with new deadlines or correspondence. You'll spend time researching foundation prospects, drafting a letter of inquiry or grant proposal in English or Spanish, and coordinating with the Executive Director on program budgets. Later, you might attend a Fund Development Committee meeting to discuss strategy and then follow up with a donor stewardship email.

🎯 Who Sacred Valley Health Is Looking For

  • Fluent in both English and Spanish, with professional experience writing grants and communications in both languages (especially US-based English-language applications).
  • Experienced in nonprofit fundraising, specifically grant writing and donor stewardship, with a track record of securing funding from foundations and individual donors.
  • Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing a grants tracker, meeting deadlines, and working independently in a remote, part-time contract role.
  • Passionate about global health and community-based work, with an understanding of or willingness to learn about public health challenges in rural Peru.

📝 Tips for Applying to Sacred Valley Health

1

Highlight your bilingual proficiency by submitting your cover letter and any writing samples in both English and Spanish. Showcase your ability to tailor language to different audiences.

2

Emphasize experience with US-based foundations and grant applications, as the role focuses on US funding opportunities. Mention specific grants you've secured or managed.

3

Demonstrate your organizational skills by referencing your use of grants trackers or CRM systems. Consider attaching a sample grants tracker or calendar you've used.

4

Show passion for the mission: research Sacred Valley Health's programs (e.g., Community Health Workers, maternal health) and mention how your skills align with their specific needs.

5

Address the part-time, contract nature directly: explain how you'll manage your time and deliver results in a flexible, remote setting. Provide examples of past remote work success.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your bilingual fluency and ability to write compelling grant proposals in both English and Spanish, with specific examples of successful applications.', 'Your experience with fund development strategies, including prospecting, donor stewardship, and maintaining a grants pipeline.', "Your alignment with the organization's mission: express genuine interest in public health and rural community work in Peru.", 'Your ability to work independently and collaboratively with a small team (ED, Board, programming staff) in a remote setting.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review Sacred Valley Health's website and social media to understand their current programs, recent news, and funding priorities.
  • Look into their annual reports or donor materials to see how they communicate impact and steward donors.
  • Research the public health challenges in Peru's Sacred Valley region to speak knowledgeably about their work.
  • Understand the landscape of US-based foundations that fund global health or Latin America-focused projects.
Visit Sacred Valley Health's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your process for researching and identifying good-fit grant opportunities. How do you prioritize prospects?
2 How do you manage multiple grant deadlines and maintain a grants tracker? Share a specific system you've used.
3 Can you provide an example of a grant proposal you wrote in Spanish? What was the outcome?
4 How would you build relationships with individual donors for a small organization with limited resources?
5 What experience do you have with earned income strategies or diversifying revenue streams for nonprofits?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic cover letter. Tailor it specifically to Sacred Valley Health's mission and the bilingual requirement.
  • Avoid downplaying the part-time or contract nature. Instead, show how you'll maximize impact within that structure.
  • Don't ignore the Spanish fluency requirement. Even if you're not fully fluent, be honest and demonstrate your proficiency level and willingness to improve.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Sacred Valley Health!