New Business Associate II (Grade 7), New Business Specialist (Grade 8) MENA/Afghanistan

Job Description

Note: This position is posted at two grades. Please see the job description for Grade 8 immediately following Grade 7.

Date : October 1, 2015

Job Title/Grade : New Business Associate II, MENA/Afghanistan (Grade 7)

Department : Business Development

Reports to: Director, New Business

Function of the Position:

This is a junior staff position within a business team embedded in DAI’s operating division for the MENA region and Afghanistan. Primary responsibilities include coordinating the preparation of proposals for contracts with USAID and other U.S. government agencies, ensuring adherence to RFP/A requirements and DAI proposal processes; providing research, administrative, and logistical support to multiple, simultaneous proposal efforts at a variety of stages; supporting all stages of project recruitment; and developing proposal budgets. May provide day-to-day operational support to the New Business Director, including tracking and reporting for senior management.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Proposal Development: According to the ebb and flow of the proposal process, is engaged in a portfolio of new business opportunities. Coordinate the technical, administrative, logistical, and day-to-day activities of multiple proposal efforts. Track proposal production against established calendars—troubleshoot common problems, escalating more complex ones to proposal managers. Draft proposal text inputs, as negotiated with proposal manager. Develop proposal budgets. Serve as the information hub on proposal teams, liaising across DAI divisions as needed. Track compliance with DAI controls and proposal processes and procedures, raising issues and proposing solutions as needed.

1. Marketing: support the planning, logistics, and conduct of information-gathering and marketing trips to countries in the region; participate in select trips, as needed. Collate information on DAI’s work for marketing materials

1. Pipeline Development : Undertake desk-top research, coordinating as necessary with DAI’s market intelligence team

1. Training/mentoring: Serve as instructor aides, training coordinators, or contributing trainers in training courses

1. Other Services: Provide other services, such as substantive technical writing and cost analyses, at the request of the New Business Director

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications, Grade 7:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional or administrative experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 2 years of professional or administrative experience and a master’s degree
• Some experience in proposal development and related sales activities
• Proven understanding of and interest in international development
• Proven writing skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to travel to the region as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Arabic preferred, proficiency in French a plus
• Customer service experience a plus

Supervisory Requirements: None

OR

Job Title/Grade : New Business Specialist I, MENA/Afghanistan (Grade 8)

Department : Business Development

Reports to: Director, New Business

Function of the Position:

This is a mid-level position within a business development team embedded in DAI’s operating division for the MENA region and Afghanistan. Primary responsibilities include managing and coordinating the preparation of proposals for contracts with USAID and other U.S. government agencies, working with technical and management staff to execute proposal vision while adhering to RFP/A requirements and DAI proposal processes; serving as a writer on proposal teams; supporting all stages of project staff recruitment; developing proposal budgets; and training/mentoring other staff. Supports multiple, simultaneous proposal efforts at different stages of the bid life-cycle. May provide day-to-day operational support to the New Business Director, including tracking and reporting for senior management.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Proposal Development : According to the ebb and flow of the proposal process, is engaged in a portfolio of new business opportunities. Handle management and coordination of multiple proposals, depending on their size and complexity. Serve as writer, drafting proposal chapters and annexes based on expressed needs. Track compliance with DAI controls and proposal processes and procedures, trouble-shooting issues as needed. Serve on proposal review panels. Mentor junior staff on new business skills.

1. Marketing : Serve as member of information-gathering, partnering, positioning, and marketing teams deployed to countries in the region. Analyze and report on findings regarding DAI’s competitive position and a winning bid strategy. Develop marketing materials reflective of DAI’s technical strengths and geographic portfolios.

1. Pipeline Development : Use networks and contacts in support of project opportunity pipeline development and the verification of specific new business opportunities. Undertake research and analysis, coordinating as necessary with DAI’s market intelligence team.

1. Training/mentoring : Serve as a trainer on business development and proposal preparation skills. As needed, work with the Training Manager on upgrading training course content.

1. Other Services : Provide other services, such as technical writing, at the request of the New Business Director.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications, Grade 8:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional or administrative experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 3 years professional or administrative experience and a master’s degree
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in international development, including proposal management and writing
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and writing
• Ability to travel to the region as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Some international experience in business development or project implementation
• Proficiency in Arabic preferred, proficiency in French a plus

Supervisory Requirements:

• Management of staff on proposal preparation teams, as needed

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. EOE - Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

About the Organization

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.