Application Guide
How to Apply for Remote Volunteer Grant Writer - Global Health & Education
at HERF - HEALTH EDUCATION RECTITUDE FOUNDATION
🏢 About HERF - HEALTH EDUCATION RECTITUDE FOUNDATION
HERF is a legally registered Ugandan NGO (Reg No: S5914/8623) operating in Wakiso District, serving over 5,000 people through community health, WASH, menstrual health education, and youth empowerment. What sets HERF apart is its official recommendation from Ndejje Division Council and its registration on high-credibility platforms like SAM.gov, UN Partner Portal, and DPO International Donation Gateway, giving volunteers a rare chance to work on real funding pipelines for UNICEF, WHO, and USAID. Volunteering here means directly supporting grassroots African-led development with transparent, verifiable impact.
About This Role
As a Remote Volunteer Grant Writer, you will craft 1–2 small grant proposals per month for health and education projects, using data, photos, and budgets provided by HERF. You will also research funding calls on the UN Partner Portal and SAM.gov and help build HERF's donor profile. This role is impactful because your writing directly enables life-changing health and education programs in Greater Kampala, while you gain hands-on NGO grant experience with a registered African organization.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical week might involve reviewing a funding call on SAM.gov, drafting a 2-page concept note for a menstrual health project, and coordinating with HERF's team via email to gather photos and budget details. You might also spend an hour researching new donor opportunities on the UN Partner Portal and updating HERF's donor profile spreadsheet. Most work is asynchronous and flexible, with occasional check-ins to align on priorities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who HERF - HEALTH EDUCATION RECTITUDE FOUNDATION Is Looking For
- Has strong persuasive writing skills and can translate raw data, photos, and budgets into compelling grant narratives for UNICEF, WHO, or USAID audiences.
- Is self-motivated and organized, able to commit 3–5 hours per week remotely and meet monthly proposal deadlines with minimal supervision.
- Shows genuine interest in global health, WASH, menstrual health education, or youth empowerment in African contexts.
- Is comfortable researching funding opportunities on portals like SAM.gov and UN Partner Portal, and is eager to learn about donor compliance and proposal formats.
📝 Tips for Applying to HERF - HEALTH EDUCATION RECTITUDE FOUNDATION
Send your application directly to [email protected] with a subject line like 'Volunteer Grant Writer Application – [Your Name]' and mention HERF's registration number or SAM.gov/UN Partner Portal status to show you've done your homework.
Include a short, tailored writing sample (e.g., a 1-page grant concept note or a persuasive paragraph) that demonstrates your ability to write for health or education donors—do not just send a generic resume.
Explicitly state your weekly availability (3–5 hrs/week) and your time zone, since HERF is in Uganda (EAT) and coordination will be remote across time zones.
Reference specific HERF program areas—Community Health & WASH, Menstrual Health & Education, or Youth Empowerment—and explain why one of them resonates with you.
Highlight any experience with grant research, donor portals, or NGO proposal writing, even if from coursework or volunteer work, and mention your familiarity with UNICEF/WHO/USAID terminology if applicable.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, emphasize: (1) your ability to write clear, persuasive grant proposals for small health/education projects, ideally with a sample or past success; (2) your commitment to HERF's mission and specific programs like menstrual health education or WASH in Wakiso; (3) your research skills for finding funding calls on SAM.gov and UN Partner Portal; and (4) your reliability to deliver 1–2 proposals per month remotely with 3–5 hours weekly. Also mention that you value the official volunteer certificate and recommendation letter as recognition of your contribution.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Visit HERF's registration details and verify their SAM.gov and UN Partner Portal listings to understand their credibility and funding eligibility.
- → Research the Ndejje Division and Makindye Ssabagabo Municipal Council context in Wakiso District, Uganda, to understand the local health and education challenges HERF addresses.
- → Look up typical small grant opportunities from UNICEF, WHO, and USAID for Uganda or East Africa, and note their proposal formats and deadlines.
- → Review HERF's program areas—Community Health & WASH, Menstrual Health & Education, Youth Empowerment—and find news or reports about these issues in Greater Kampala to speak knowledgeably.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending a generic cover letter that doesn't mention HERF, Uganda, or the specific donor targets (UNICEF, WHO, USAID)—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
- Failing to include a writing sample or portfolio, which is critical for a grant writing role and will likely disqualify you.
- Overpromising availability (e.g., saying you can write many proposals per week) when the role is 3–5 hours weekly—this suggests you didn't read the requirements carefully.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to HERF - HEALTH EDUCATION RECTITUDE FOUNDATION!