Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Associate, Business Development (Asia Pacific)
at Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
🏢 About Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) is a global nonprofit that leverages open mapping and digital technology to support humanitarian action and international development. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that uses innovative, community-powered data to respond to crises and build resilience. It's a unique opportunity to combine your business development skills with a tangible social impact.
About This Role
As Senior Associate for Business Development in Asia Pacific, you will be the driving force behind securing $1 million in annual revenue for HOT's projects in the region. This role involves the full lifecycle of grant management—from research and proposal writing to compliance and reporting—making it critical to HOT's ability to fund and scale its humanitarian mapping initiatives. Your work will directly enable vulnerable communities to be seen and supported through open data.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing funding calendars and deadlines, drafting a concept note for a potential foundation, and scheduling calls with program leads to gather information for a proposal. You might also spend time researching new donors, updating compliance trackers, or collaborating with the communications team to align on messaging. Each day would be a mix of strategic planning, writing, and collaboration, all with the goal of bringing in resources to power open mapping for humanitarian impact.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Is Looking For
- Proven track record in business development, grant writing, and fundraising, specifically within humanitarian or international development organizations.
- Exceptional collaboration skills, able to work with diverse program teams to gather information and craft compelling, evidence-based proposals.
- Highly organized and process-driven, with the ability to manage a complex grant calendar and multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with creative, innovative thinking to package HOT's programs in ways that attract diverse donors, from foundations to government agencies.
📝 Tips for Applying to Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
Tailor your resume and cover letter to explicitly highlight your experience with grant writing for humanitarian or development projects, using metrics to show the value of grants you've secured.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the Asia Pacific region—mention any specific countries, projects, or challenges you're familiar with, and how open mapping could address them.
Showcase your ability to translate technical concepts (like open data, GIS, and community mapping) into compelling donor-facing narratives.
Provide examples of how you've managed a grant portfolio, including how you prioritize, track deadlines, and ensure compliance across multiple funders.
In your cover letter, express genuine passion for HOT's mission and mention a specific HOT project or initiative that resonates with you, showing you've done your homework.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Highlight your direct experience in securing grants for humanitarian or development work, with specific examples of successful proposals and the impact they achieved.', 'Emphasize your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather technical and programmatic input, turning it into a coherent funding proposal.', 'Showcase your organizational skills and process orientation, explaining how you manage the full grant lifecycle and multiple deadlines.', 'Convey your entrepreneurial spirit and creativity in identifying new funding opportunities and packaging programs to attract donors.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read HOT's recent annual reports and strategic plans to understand their priorities, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
- → Explore HOT's current and past projects in Asia Pacific, such as disaster mapping in the Philippines or community mapping in Indonesia, to see the impact of their work.
- → Look into HOT's major donors and funding sources to understand the types of grants they typically secure and who you might be writing to.
- → Familiarize yourself with the HOT Community Working Group and the broader OpenStreetMap ecosystem to understand how community engagement drives their programs.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic cover letter that doesn't mention HOT or the specific role—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
- Avoid focusing only on your writing skills; this role requires strategic thinking and business development acumen, so highlight your ability to identify opportunities and manage a portfolio.
- Don't underestimate the importance of the Asia Pacific region—failing to demonstrate regional knowledge or interest could be a red flag for the hiring team.
📅 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 Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team!