Grant Writer for SIBOL Project

Background:

Forest Foundation Philippines (doing business as Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Inc.) is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization that provides grants and technical assistance to organizations and individuals that empower the people to protect the forests. The Foundation was established in 2002, under two bilateral agreements between the Governments of the Philippines and the United States of America, to treat and redirect around USD 32M of debt into a Tropical Forest Conservation Fund over ten years. 

Currently, the Foundation is co-implementing the Philippines Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) Project (2020-2025) to support the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources and combat environmental crimes. The project is funded by the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is co-implemented through a consortium led by RTI International, in partnership with Center for Conservation Innovations, Zoological Society of London, and the Resources, Environment, and Economics Center for Studies. 

As one of the SIBOL partners, Forest Foundation will bring innovative grants to fund strategic, targeted, and sustainable activities. The SIBOL project is ongoing implementation in: Mount Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (MMPL), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), and Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) in Palawan; Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) in Surigao del Norte; and Masinloc-Oyon Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape (MOBPLS) in Zambales. 

The SIBOL Project recently facilitated the conduct of the Green Assessment to map and understand the extent of the damage of typhoon Odette in SIBOL sites in Palawan and SIPLAS. Initial recommendations show the need for landscape-wide restoration activities and to involve community members in the forest restoration process. To fulfill this, the Foundation needs a grant writer to develop proposals on forest restoration including but not limited to mangrove and beach forest restoration, recovery and related activities that will be suitable for funding. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Grant Writer will develop, enhance, refine, translate and document proposals with people’s organizations who aim to secure funding from the Forest Foundation through its grants program.  The writer will also be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data necessary for the evaluation of proposals.   

1. Generate well-researched, well written and well-documented grant proposals and supporting documents in collaboration with prospective proponents, partners, and stakeholders consistent with the SIBOL strategic approaches, Green Assessment results, and the foundation’s results framework. 
2. Establish and build relationships with partner communities in SIBOL project sites in Palawan.
3. Assist in the coordination of activities relevant to the development of proposals.
4. Engage with program officers of the foundation to ensure consistency with the Foundations’ Results Framework

Competencies:

1. Relevant work experience/s in at least one of the following assignments: Forest restoration including but not limited to mangrove and beach forest restoration; environmental/forest law enforcement; and sustainable livelihoods, consistent with the manner of protecting the forests
2. Ability to synthesize complex or diverse information, collect data, and use intuition and experience to complement information gathered from proponent and stakeholders
3. Ability to write clearly and informatively, vary writing style to meet needs, and present numerical data effectively
4. Excellent communication skills (fluency in local language/s is an advantage)
5. With genuine commitment to the environment and community
6. Familiarity and/or previous work experience in the SIBOL project sites

Duration and Places of Work:

The grant writer will primarily be working with potential proponents in SIBOL project sites. Palawan and Siargao locals are encouraged to apply. The grant writer consultancy service is for a period of 2 months. The grant writer should be available to begin the engagement by June 2023. 

Work will be through individual assignments performed under the broad direction of the Executive Director and the Project Officer with the majority of  work  performed  independently. Compensation will be commensurate to the tasks assigned, the qualifications and expertise of the grant writers and the actual grant proposal.  The Foundation will shoulder costs for transportation, board and lodging and other expenses in relation to the development and preparation of the grant proposal.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to send an application to Atty. Jose Andres Canivel, Executive Director through [email protected] and e[email protected] on or before May 14, 2023.  Indicate “Grant Writer for SIBOL” as the subject of the email.

Applicants shall submit the following through email:

1. One-page letter of intent; 
2. Curriculum vitae; and 
3. Writing sample

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by the Foundation.