Water for Dignity: Rainwater Harvesting & Menstrual Health for Schoolgirls

Volunteering Medical & Health

Overview

Support research and proposal development for menstrual health initiative.

You have:

• Demonstrated experience in proposal writing, grant writing, or concept note development for nonprofit organizations, NGOs, or international development projects.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify relevant funding opportunities and synthesize information into high-quality technical documents.
• Experience in developing project documents such as logical frameworks, work plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, budgets, and donor reports is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and well-structured documents.
• Knowledge of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), rainwater harvesting, menstrual health management, gender equality, girls' education, public health, or community development is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate effectively with a remote team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Workspace, and online collaboration platforms.
• Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and ethical volunteerism.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

Purewish Foundation Uganda is implementing Water for Dignity: Rainwater Harvesting and Menstrual Health Initiative for Schoolgirls in Northern Uganda, a project aimed at improving access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health services for vulnerable schoolgirls in rural communities.

Many rural schools in Northern Uganda experience chronic water shortages during prolonged dry seasons, leaving children without adequate water for drinking, handwashing, cooking, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management. These challenges disproportionately affect adolescent girls, particularly those from low-income families, who often miss school during menstruation because they lack access to sanitary products, private changing facilities, and clean water. Repeated absenteeism increases the risk of poor academic performance, school dropout, child marriage, and early pregnancy.

The project will install 20 rainwater harvesting tanks in 20 rural primary schools, providing a sustainable source of safe water for more than 10,000 children. It will also improve hygiene practices by supporting handwashing and sanitation facilities within schools.

To promote menstrual dignity and keep girls in school, the project will provide reusable sanitary towel kits and menstrual health education to girls from economically disadvantaged families. These interventions will enable girls to manage menstruation safely and confidently, reducing absenteeism and supporting their continued education.

The initiative will further establish 20 Dignity Clubs in participating schools. These clubs will serve as safe and supportive spaces where girls can learn about menstrual health, personal hygiene, life skills, gender equality, leadership, and self-confidence. Through peer support, mentorship, and leadership activities, the clubs will empower girls to overcome stigma, build resilience, develop leadership skills, and access guidance from trained female teachers, women leaders, and community mentors.

To strengthen the quality and sustainability of the initiative, Purewish Foundation Uganda is seeking the support of an Online Volunteer with expertise in research, proposal development, technical writing, and project documentation. The volunteer will contribute by conducting research on best practices, identifying suitable grant opportunities, supporting the preparation of high-quality project proposals and technical documentation, and developing communication and knowledge products that enhance the organization's capacity to implement and expand the project.

This assignment does not involve fundraising or donor solicitation. The volunteer's contribution to resource mobilization is strictly limited to grant research, proposal writing, and the preparation of technical documentation. Volunteers will not be asked to solicit donations, contact donors, organize fundraising campaigns, or request financial contributions on behalf of the organization.

The volunteer will provide technical assistance to strengthen the design, documentation, communication, and resource mobilization capacity of the project. This assignment focuses on research, proposal development, knowledge management, and technical writing. Volunteers will not be required or expected to conduct fundraising, solicit donations, approach donors, or request financial contributions on behalf of the organization.

Key Responsibilities Conduct research on best practices in rainwater harvesting, school WASH, menstrual health management, gender equality, and community-led development. Support the development and review of high-quality project proposals and concept notes for submission to institutional donors and grant opportunities identified by the organization. Research grant opportunities and funding calls that align with the project's objectives and compile relevant eligibility and application information for the project team. Assist in preparing logical frameworks, work plans, monitoring indicators, budgets, and supporting technical documentation for grant applications. Develop educational materials, training manuals, fact sheets, and awareness resources on water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health management. Support the preparation of project reports, case studies, impact stories, newsletters, presentations, and other communication materials. Assist with monitoring, evaluation, and learning by organizing project data, documenting lessons learned, and compiling progress reports. Contribute ideas for innovative, sustainable, and community-owned approaches to improving school WASH and menstrual health services. Participate in virtual coordination meetings and provide technical recommendations to strengthen project implementation. Expected Outcomes

The volunteer's contribution will enhance the quality of project design, grant proposals, technical documentation, communication materials, and knowledge products, increasing the organization's readiness to compete for funding opportunities while improving programming for vulnerable schoolgirls.

Purewish Foundation Uganda is seeking a motivated and experienced Online Volunteer with strong technical writing and research skills who is passionate about improving access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health for vulnerable girls.

The ideal volunteer should possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in proposal writing, grant writing, or concept note development for nonprofit organizations, NGOs, or international development projects.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify relevant funding opportunities and synthesize information into high-quality technical documents.
• Experience in developing project documents such as logical frameworks, work plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, budgets, and donor reports is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and well-structured documents.
• Knowledge of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), rainwater harvesting, menstrual health management, gender equality, girls' education, public health, or community development is highly desirable.
• Experience working with or supporting NGOs, community-based organizations, schools, or humanitarian and development programmes is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate effectively with a remote team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Workspace, and online collaboration platforms.
• Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and ethical volunteerism.

The volunteer should be passionate about advancing educational opportunities for vulnerable children, promoting girls' dignity and leadership, and contributing technical expertise that strengthens sustainable community development not soliciting for funds from entities or individuals.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 hours ago - Updated 3 hours ago - Source: unv.org