PROPOSAL & GRANTS WRITING INTERNS - REMOTE

Employment type: Internship

Work arrangement: Remote, with occasional hybrid engagement in Kilifi County, Kenya

Duration: To be confirmed

Positions available: Multiple

Compensation: To be communicated to shortlisted candidates

Company Description

BOFA Innovation Hub is the innovation, research, and partnerships arm associated with BOFA Splash Waters Ltd., a Kenyan social enterprise advancing safe drinking water, circular economy solutions, environmental intelligence, and sustainable livelihoods.

Through its water enterprise and AquaLoop Africa™ circular economy platform, BOFA works to expand access to safe drinking water, improve the recovery and reuse of plastic waste, support green enterprise development, and create opportunities for young people and women.

BOFA Innovation Hub supports research collaborations, project development, resource mobilisation, and partnerships that translate innovative ideas into practical, scalable solutions for communities and the environment.

We are seeking motivated and detail-oriented Proposal & Grants Writing Interns to support our growing portfolio of development initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Role Description

The Proposal & Grants Writing Intern will support the identification of funding opportunities and the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, grant applications, and partnership documents.

Working with the BOFA team, the intern will contribute to donor research, funding opportunity analysis, proposal development, project documentation, and resource mobilisation activities.

This opportunity is suited to graduates, final-year students, and early-career professionals seeking practical exposure to development financing, grant writing, research, and impact-driven enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Research grant opportunities, donor priorities, foundations, development agencies, and institutional funding programmes.
• Review calls for proposals, requests for applications, and requests for proposals to assess eligibility, requirements, and submission deadlines.
• Draft and edit concept notes, grant applications, project narratives, executive summaries, and partnership proposals.
• Support the preparation of theories of change, logical frameworks, workplans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and results indicators.
• Coordinate with internal teams to gather technical information, organisational documents, evidence, and supporting materials.
• Assist with proposal budgets and budget narratives in collaboration with project and finance teams.
• Maintain an organised funding opportunity pipeline, application calendar, and proposal submission tracker.
• Conduct background research and compile credible evidence, references, and relevant programme information.
• Support post-submission follow-up, donor reporting, and documentation of funding decisions and lessons learned.
• Contribute to proposals across water security, climate resilience, circular economy, environmental sustainability, public health, and the Blue Economy.

Qualifications and Skills

Applicants should demonstrate the following:

• Proposal writing: Ability to research, structure, draft, and edit clear, persuasive written documents.
• Research and analysis: Ability to identify relevant funding opportunities, interpret donor priorities, and synthesise information from credible sources.
• Proposal management: Ability to follow application instructions, coordinate inputs, maintain documentation, and manage deadlines.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally with different teams.
• Organisation: Good attention to detail, time management, and the ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Digital skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, online research, and collaborative working tools.
• Learning orientation: Willingness to receive feedback, improve writing quality, and work independently in a remote environment.

Applicants pursuing or holding qualifications in Development Studies, Environmental Science, Public Health, Communications, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Prior grant-writing experience is an advantage but is not mandatory. Strong research, writing, analytical, and organisational skills are particularly valued.

What the Internship Offers

• Practical experience in proposal development, donor research, and resource mobilisation.
• Exposure to development funding opportunities and institutional partnership processes.
• Opportunities to contribute to real-world environmental, social, and economic development initiatives.
• Professional feedback, mentorship, and the opportunity to build a portfolio of proposal development work.
• Experience collaborating with a multidisciplinary team working across water, climate resilience, sustainability, and circular economy initiatives.

Compensation and benefits: Any stipend, transport support, internet allowance, or other benefits will be specified by BOFA during recruitment. These should not be assumed unless confirmed in the official offer.

Work Arrangement

The internship is designed primarily for remote work. Candidates should have reliable internet access, a suitable working environment, and the ability to participate in virtual meetings and meet agreed deadlines.

Occasional in-person meetings or activities in Kilifi County may be required, subject to prior agreement.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

1. An updated CV.
2. A brief cover letter explaining their interest and relevant skills.
3. A short writing sample, preferably a concept note, proposal excerpt, research brief, or other relevant professional writing. Applicants without previous samples may submit an academic or independent research writing sample.

Email subject: Application – Proposal & Grants Writing Intern

Application email: [info@bofa.co.ke]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The recruitment process may include an initial CV review, a short proposal-writing or research assessment, and an interview.

Equal Opportunity and Applicant Privacy

BOFA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Selection will be based on relevant skills, potential, integrity, and suitability for the role.

Applicant information will be used for recruitment and selection purposes, handled confidentially, and accessed only by authorised personnel involved in the recruitment process, subject to applicable data protection requirements.

Join BOFA Innovation Hub and help turn research, innovation, and community-led solutions into fundable programmes with measurable impact.