Request for Statement of Interest (SOI) for American Spaces USG Alumni Engagement Program facilitator | AF HAR FY22 05

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF HAR FY22 05

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe, through its Public Diplomacy (PD) section, is inviting eligible individuals to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) for a grant-funded role supporting American Spaces USG Alumni Engagement Programs. The core purpose of this opportunity is to strengthen the network of alumni who previously participated in U.S. government-funded Public Diplomacy exchange programs, and to create more consistent collaboration, networking, and visibility for alumni-led initiatives. The embassy is looking for program ideas and a facilitator who can help alumni stay connected, share opportunities, and build on the skills and relationships they gained through their exchange experiences.

This opportunity uses a two-step application process. First, applicants submit a concise SOI of about 1 to 2 pages that clearly lays out a program concept and objectives. The SOI is not a full proposal and is meant to let the embassy evaluate ideas before requiring applicants to invest time in developing a full application package. After an initial merit review of eligible SOIs, the embassy will invite selected applicants to submit full proposals that expand on the concept, implementation approach, and deliverables. Those full proposals then undergo a second merit review, after which final funding decisions are made.

The funded activities are focused on alumni engagement and community-building outcomes. The embassy intends to support programs that strengthen the alumni network, expand networking and potential funding pathways, promote alumni success stories, and encourage collaboration across different exchange programs rather than keeping alumni communities siloed. In practice, the work emphasizes building a stronger support structure that helps alumni launch projects, sustain momentum after their exchange, and find partners, mentors, and collaborators within the broader alumni ecosystem.

The selected USG Alumni Engagement Facilitator will coordinate and convene regular alumni engagement activities, especially regional alumni meetings hosted through American Spaces. The primary locations named are Bulawayo and Gweru, with additional activities anticipated in Mutare. The facilitator will be responsible for organizing monthly meetings that blend virtual and in-person formats, working closely with American Spaces staff and alumni participants to design sessions that generate practical networking opportunities and collaboration plans. These meetings are expected to help alumni connect around shared interests, identify joint projects, and develop initiatives that build directly on their exchange-program experiences.

In addition to convening meetings, the facilitator will play a reporting and storytelling role. In consultation with the PD section, the facilitator will track alumni progress and community success stories through regular communication and social media engagement. The intent is to strengthen internal alumni communications while also producing material that can be promoted more broadly, including on U.S. Embassy social media platforms. After each gathering, the facilitator is expected to conduct participant assessments and compile an aggregate monthly report using a PD-provided template. These monthly reports should capture highlights such as alumni achievements, new partnerships, emerging themes of interest, and fresh program or collaboration ideas coming from the community.

Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted. The PD section will only accept applications from alumni of U.S. government-funded Public Diplomacy exchange programs, explicitly including programs such as YALI, Fulbright, TechWomen, and similar U.S. exchange initiatives. The intended participants and primary audience for the programming are those same USG Public Diplomacy exchange alumni, meaning the facilitator is expected to design engagement activities that are relevant to alumni needs and that strengthen ties across different cohorts and programs.

The embassy is also clear about the preferred qualifications for the facilitator. Applicants should be USG exchange alumni and should bring roughly 3 to 5 years of experience facilitating workshops and programs. Strong oral and written communication skills are important, as the role involves coordinating stakeholders, moderating discussions, and producing regular written reports. Experience working with youth is valued, and practical flexibility is required because some workshops may occur in the evenings and a portion of programming will be delivered virtually. The role is framed as one requiring initiative and independence, so the facilitator should be comfortable working with minimal supervision while still coordinating closely with PD guidance and American Spaces staff. Strong analytical and report-writing skills are also emphasized, reflecting the importance of monitoring outcomes and documenting alumni progress in a structured way.

From the funding and administrative details provided, this is a grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe under the funding opportunity number AF HAR FY22 05. It falls under an education-related funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 19.040. The opportunity category is mandatory and the instrument type is a grant. The posted award ceiling is 2,000 (as stated in the source data), and the original closing date listed is 2022-03-31, with a creation date of 2022-02-10. The eligible applicant type is listed as "Others," but the narrative makes it clear that eligibility is practically limited to USG Public Diplomacy exchange alumni.

• The U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Statement of Interest (SOI) for American Spaces USG Alumni Engagement Program facilitator" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-03-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for AF HAR FY22 05

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