How to apply for Regional Strategic Partnerships Officer

About Center for Victims of Torture

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is a global leader in healing survivors of torture and advancing human rights, with a unique focus on locally led, community-based care. Working at CVT means joining a mission-driven organization that combines clinical expertise, research, and advocacy to create lasting change in conflict-affected regions. The opportunity to support programs in East Africa and the Middle East while working remotely offers a rare blend of global impact and flexible work.

About the role

As the Regional Strategic Partnerships Officer, you will be the bridge between CVT's regional programs and institutional funders, building a pipeline of local and regional partners to expand resources for torture survivor rehabilitation. You will work closely with regional focal points to co-create engagement strategies, develop compelling proposals, and steward relationships that sustain long-term support. This role is pivotal in shifting power to local actors and ensuring CVT's programs are resourced to meet growing needs.

A typical day

A typical day might involve a morning call with a regional focal point in East Africa to strategize outreach to a local foundation, followed by drafting a concept note for an embassy funding opportunity. In the afternoon, you might coordinate with the finance team to develop a budget for a proposal and join a cross-departmental meeting to align on stewardship plans for an existing corporate partner. You'll balance proactive prospecting with responsive support to regional teams, all while managing remote collaboration across time zones.

Who Center for Victims of Torture is looking for

• Proven experience in institutional fundraising or partnership development, with a track record of securing funding from foundations, corporations, embassies, or bilateral/multilateral donors, preferably in East Africa or the Middle East.
• Deep understanding of the regional context, including local philanthropic landscapes, cultural norms, and key stakeholders in human rights, health, or humanitarian sectors.
• Strong skills in proposal development, including concept notes, letters of inquiry, and full proposals, with the ability to translate program priorities into compelling cases for support.
• Experience working remotely and coordinating with cross-functional teams across time zones, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (additional regional languages a plus).

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience in building partnerships specifically in East Africa and/or the Middle East, naming countries or regions where you have networks or successful funding wins.
• Demonstrate your ability to work through local focal points and support locally led outreach—CVT values localization, so avoid framing yourself as the sole driver of partnerships.
• Include concrete examples of funds raised from diverse sources (e.g., foundations, embassies, corporations) and specify amounts or types of partners to show your pipeline management skills.
• Tailor your resume to show familiarity with CVT's mission and programs; mention any experience in torture rehabilitation, mental health, or human rights funding as a plus.
• Since the role is remote and involves coordination across regions, emphasize your proficiency with remote collaboration tools and your ability to manage time zones effectively.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your specific experience developing and executing partnership strategies in East Africa and/or the Middle East, with examples of successful solicitations.', 'How you have worked with local focal points or regional colleagues to co-create outreach and stewardship plans, demonstrating a commitment to locally led development.', 'Your ability to translate complex program needs into compelling concept notes and proposals, ideally with a sample of funds raised or partners secured.', "Your motivation to support CVT's mission and how your background aligns with CVT's values of healing, human rights, and local empowerment."]

Research before applying

• Explore CVT's programs in East Africa and the Middle East to understand their focus areas, clinical approaches, and current funding gaps.
• Research the local philanthropic and institutional donor landscape in CVT's key countries of operation (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Jordan, Iraq) to identify potential partners.
• Review CVT's annual reports and recent news to understand their strategic priorities, such as localization, research, and advocacy.
• Look into CVT's leadership and organizational structure to understand how the partnerships team interacts with program, clinical, and finance colleagues.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach building a pipeline of institutional partners in a region where CVT has existing programs but limited fundraising presence?
• Describe a time you worked with a local partner to develop a funding proposal. What was your role and what was the outcome?
• What strategies would you use to engage embassies and bilateral donors in East Africa or the Middle East?
• How do you balance competing priorities from regional programs and headquarters when developing partnership strategies?
• Give an example of a partnership you stewarded that resulted in repeat funding. What did you do to maintain the relationship?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on international donors and neglecting local and regional partners—CVT emphasizes locally grounded partnerships.
• Using generic language about fundraising without demonstrating specific knowledge of East Africa or the Middle East contexts.
• Failing to show how you have supported or empowered local colleagues, as the role requires working through regional focal points rather than directing from afar.