Business Development Specialist I Writer, EARO at Catholic Relief

Job Summary:

As Business Development (BD) Specialist I – Writer, you will contribute to the production of persuasive, audience-focused funding applications and proposals in support of CRS’ initiatives to serve poor and vulnerable people. You will provide specialized assistance to cross-disciplinary and cross-functional teams, particularly on proposal writing. Your knowledge and skills will allow you to contribute to improving aspects of the BD cycle for the East Africa Regional Office (EARO), supporting CRS offices in seven countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda).

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the proposal coordinator, technical and sector leads, partners and other key stakeholders to develop well written, well organized and cohesive concept notes, expressions of interest, proposals and proposal annexes, aligned with donor requirements and CRS standards.
• Develop technical narrative outlines and draft proposal sections with technical input, as agreed with the technical lead and other proposal team members. Communicate complex technical concepts and ideas in compelling, audience-focused prose. Synthesize inputs from multiple authors and data sources, with attention to clarity, readability, sentence structure, style and voice. Work with technical staff, management and partner staff to integrate reviewer comments into a responsive, compelling narrative.
• Led by the technical lead, work collaboratively with country program staff to ensure local context and knowledge is fully reflected in proposal products.
• Maintain close communication with the technical lead and proposal coordinator throughout the proposal development process to ensure expectations of deliverables are aligned and internal deadlines are met.
• Edit proposals, annexes, and other donor facing communication materials to improve readability by shortening sentences, eliminating redundancies, and rearranging sentences to improve transitions, in accordance with AP Style guide.
• Participate in and contribute to desk research including literature reviews and design frameworks.
• Participate in design workshops and technical meetings as necessary to construct strong proposal inputs.
• Work with staff to write documents that effectively leverage CRS results, including past performance references and capability statements.
• Work closely with country program technical, MEAL, and communication staff to write and develop success stories, technical briefs, and other publications to position CRS as a thought leader in various technical areas. 
• Contribute to country program growth strategies by working with country program staff to write win themes in prioritized sectors
• In close collaboration with EARO BDS-II Writer, provide capacity building support to country program staff in writing responsive and donor-facing proposals, project reports and other external communication materials 
• Contribute to CRS' Business Development Community of Practice and advance CRS Business Development practices through contributions to other initiatives.

Required Languages - Fluency in English required; additional language skills relevant to the region a plus. 

Travel -In-country travel is typically for 2-4 weeks at a time; must be willing and able to travel up to 35%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

Supervisory Responsibilities: none

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: EARO Business Development Specialist II – Writer, EARO Regional Technical Advisor- Business Development; EARO Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality; EARO Regional Technical Advisors; the Business Development Community; EARO country program staff; management quality and finance staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum three years of international development experience, with at least two years experience in a developing country.

Preferred Qualifications

• Very strong writer with expert command of English grammar and AP style. 
• Demonstrated experience with competitive proposals in programming contexts similar to CRS. 
• Proven ability and experience in professional writing; experience with competitive applications and proposals for grants and/or commercial contracting in programming contexts similar to CRS preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and write about a broad range of technical sectors; familiarity with key donor agencies (USAID, USDA, EU, Global Fund) or large foundations a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute as part of a team to produce deliverables under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.
• Experience providing remote support to diverse teams preferred, including ability to produce deliverables independently.
• Experience with both USAID RFP and RFA funding mechanisms highly desirable.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles a plus.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.