Job Description
We are seeking a dynamic professional experienced in international development. The Business Development Officers will collaborate with technical staff to coordinate and lead complex or strategically critical proposals on behalf of World Learning. S/he will lead a proposal team and facilitate and own the entire proposal process including the bid/no-bid decision phase, capture efforts, developing and implementing proposal schedules, and overseeing the development of both technical and cost proposals, ensuring a proposal’s successful on-time submission. Successful candidates will have experience leading the proposal process, excellent writing skills, enjoy working in a team environment, be solution-oriented, and possess a great sense of humor. The position will be based in World Learning’s office in Washington, D.C.
Responsibilities
Proposal Development
- Work across technical units to manage proposal process for small to mid-range programs funded through DOS, USAID, DFID, EU and other bilateral donors, owning the entire process;
- Lead the proposal process for bids under $10 million and serve as proposal manager for bids over $10 million; this includes but is not limited to driving the proposal’s capture phase, participating in and eventually leading scoping trips, coordinating resources and unit support from across the organization, and seeing the proposal to a successful competitive and compliant submission;
- Facilitate and oversee the bid/no bid evaluation process for RFAs, RFPs, and as appropriate APS, guiding technical units and leadership through a decision-making process that ensures opportunities align with World Learning strategic priorities;
- Support and eventually facilitate the technical strategy development process by senior level technical and country expert staff;
- As needed and requested participate in the proposal writing process;
- Develop, oversee and maintain the proposal calendar, in collaboration with technical unit proposal leads, and monitor adherence to the defined process and deadlines for technical proposals, rosters/recruiting, proposal budgets, production schedules and quality standards for proposals. Work with the technical unit proposal lead (and technical senior managers as required) to resolve issues with delays or other roadblocks in the proposal process;
- In collaboration with the technical unit proposal lead coordinate Cost Proposal development, crafting best-value cost strategies and ensuring a unified strategy in both technical and cost proposals;
- Monitor and ensure staffing strategy alignment with Human Resource policies and procedures, and technical unit needs to meet proposal staffing priorities;
- Participate in the review and compilation of lessons learned and after-action-reviews of proposal submission processes for World Learning.
Corporate Strategic Responsibilities
- Support BDU management and World Learning leadership in developing annual and multi-year business development strategies that leverage World Learning capabilities to identify and win new business opportunities;
- Within World Learning’s target technical, donor and geographic priorities, serve as a “positioning lead” to identify new business opportunities, ensure up to date donor knowledge, and manage geographic relationships with World Learning staff, potential partners and consultants. This includes working collaboratively with designated field offices and technical units to develop and implement intelligence gathering and positioning strategies to strengthen World Learning’s stature, credibility, and likelihood of winning new business;
- Responsible for managing and disseminating business intelligence and positioning information obtained from networks, technical units, and field teams, when assigned to a specific country, region, thematic, or specific opportunity;
- Assist BDU and technical units’ leadership to identify partnering opportunities and form new strategic alliances with implementing partners and other stakeholders to advance program development for World Learning;
- Represent World Learning at meetings, conferences, etc., relevant to the subject matter and themes of the assigned portfolio and disseminate information regarding World Learning’s overall capabilities;
- Support projects, marketing and other unit/divisional activities in ways which tap sector or geographic expertise;
- Conduct international travel, as required;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Home Office and Field Office Business Development Support
- Mentor junior BDU and technical unit team members, building their proposal management skills;
- Support field-based business development activities and preparations for new and follow-on projects, including review of internal and external evaluations of projects. As required, provide direct support to development of field-based proposals;
- Foster, build and maintain World Learning staff capacity in the US and in the field in development of new or expanded business opportunities for World Learning;
- Develop and build business development skills of Field and technical unit staff as needed;
- Assist in in the development of and training of program unit staff on use of cutting edge tools, processes, procedures, and standards for program design and proposal development.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree in international development or related field;
- At least 3+ years of experience managing proposals;
- Ability to manage diverse teams;
- Excellent writing and editing skills;
- Experience with budget preparation;
- Outstanding oral and written English communication skills;
- Familiarity with MSWord, Excel, Power Point and other graphic software;
- Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to assume responsibilities and take initiative; ability to be a team player;
- Good time management skills, especially when facing tight deadlines;
- Experience with U.S. Government procurement policies, procedures and mechanisms (such as Indefinite Quantity Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, etc.) for international development activities.
Desired Qualifications:
- Masters’ Degree in international development or related field;
- Second language proficiency in French or Spanish;
- Overseas experience in developing countries, either short- or long-term, preferred;
- Experience working on proposals for non-USG donors.
About the Organization
Why World Learning
Eighty years ago, a group of young Americans sailed to Germany on a cultural exchange program. They returned home with lifelong friendships, a broader understanding of the world, and the ability to empathize with people from other cultures. This was the beginning of The Experiment in International Living. It was also the beginning of World Learning.
The Experiment in International Living is still a vibrant part of World Learning today. But as global needs have grown, World Learning has grown too. Today World Learning operates the SIT graduate school, study abroad programs, and leads international development and civic activism programs throughout the world.
In 60 countries with an annual budget of $145 million, World Learning empowers people and strengthens institutions that help people learn, grow, and thrive.
Nobel Peace Prize winners and heads of parliament have earned master’s degrees at our School of International Training. College students spend a semester abroad in our Study Abroad program. Judges, police officers and other community leaders hone their skills through our international exchanges. Activists in Myanmar learn community organizing through our international development program.
