Program Development Officer

Job Description

TITLE: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

DUTIES

The Program Development Officer (PDO) works to develop, manage and pursue business development opportunities that will result in increasing IFDC’s portfolio of projects and its revenue streams. She/he will work closely with the Senior Development Officer to strengthen and improve IFDC’s methodologies, practices and systems for successfully pursuing new projects and funding from governments (US and other bilateral donors), foundations and the private sector. In leading the coordination and management of proposal development, the PDO will conduct reconnaissance, design programmatic strategies and manage the proposal development process coordinating the involvement of Division Directors, Regional Portfolio Managers, Country Directors, Science Officers, Economists and consultants. Integrating inputs of other contributors and performing as lead writer are roles that the PDO will also be asked to fill. The goal is to contribute to the development of processes that assure that IFDC is producing competitive and high quality proposals using our limited new business development resources wisely.

The Program Development Unit (PDU) provides support to IFDC’s divisions in the identification, design and development of new business initiatives that support the organization’s strategic vision. The PDO will serve in a variety of capacities as the leader and as the manager of processes that will enable the organization to produce high quality, competitive proposals that continue the organization’s high win rates and result in well-designed projects.

Duties may include:

• Provide coordination, management and development of business planning activities across countries and sectors. Work with PDU’s Senior Development Officer and Proposal Development Specialist, Division Directors, Country Directors and Office of Program scientists and staff to provide direction and leadership in managing all phases of the proposal development process (partnerships, proposal technical conceptualization, writing, personnel and coordination with budget office staff.).
• Engage in and improve institutional systems that facilitate the proposal process by:
• Forecasting upcoming business opportunities;
• Employing templates and tools for proposal development;
• Working to smooth collaboration across the organization in the functionality of proposal team methodologies;
• Coordinating and participating in planning/status meetings to ensure proper adherence to good proposal management practices;
• Lead IFDC’s development of proposals (as Proposal Manager and/or Lead Technical Writer) responding to high priority new business opportunities from bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies, private foundations or private sector corporations. When leading proposal teams, the PDO will be expected to:
• Conduct reconnaissance and capture work on anticipated projects with significant travel required;
• Develop proposal design strategy;
• Lead or support partner negotiations including teaming agreements;
• Identify and contract technical consultants as needed;
• Coordinate with the Budget Unit to align the proposed staff, activities and interventions with the development of a compliant and competitive budget and cost proposal;
• Convene and chair proposal design meetings as needed and provide leadership on impact pathway and logical framework development;
• Coordinate with the Proposal Development Specialist the proposal calendar and schedule for preparation and processing of required documents, representations and certifications, and the involvement of other organizational units (i.e., Information and Communications Unit, Human Resources, etc.); and,
• Engage in quality control for proposal review.
• Work with the technical staff and the personnel office to identify long-term and short-term consultants for IFDC projects.
• Develop the means for evaluating of unit/ division/ departmental goals and/or objectives, as it relates to organization’s strategic plan and priorities.
• Participate in organizational representation for IFDC by attending and contributing to association meetings and donor seminars and briefings and other outreach efforts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

This position requires knowledge of the competitive proposal development process, knowledge of agricultural development methodologies and interventions, and extremely effective written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to apply those skills in project development, the negotiation process, and speeches/presentations while representing IFDC. This job requires the following:

• Extensive knowledge of constraints and opportunities in developing country agricultural systems and their impact on food security, nutrition and poverty.
• Creative ability to develop effective solutions to those challenges and to present them in persuasive high quality proposals in clear and concise terms.
• Proven track record of success in generating funding through competitive proposal submission, floating concepts for unsolicited proposals and developing strong donor relations.
• Extensive knowledge of proposal and donor funding requirements (especially USAID) and the ability to apply that knowledge in preparing project proposals
• Minimum of Master’s degree in an agriculture-related field and 8 - 10 years relevant work experience (or Bachelor’s degree with 10 – 15 years’ work experience) in development project management roles with a record of proven success.
• At least three years of experience in project design and implementation in the international development arena. Experience in agricultural development/agribusiness/economic growth/enterprise development required.
• Knowledge of the international development donor and project implementation landscape with contacts in key agencies and allied or competitor organizations.
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to perform under time pressure, be flexible, work independently, manage multiple tasks and work effectively as a leader and team member in fast-paced multi-cultural environment.
• Passion for market-led approaches to helping the rural poor improve their livelihoods.
• Strong focus on results.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with an enthusiasm for writing.
• Good sense of humor.
• Fluency in English is imperative with French fluency strongly preferred– additional language skills are desirable.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

This position requires extensive experience and ability to implement donor/funding agency application requirements, policies, procedures, and reporting guidelines to present project proposals and fulfill contract obligations. The nature of this position requires the ability to manage numerous initiatives such as preparing proposals, papers and presentations simultaneously. Incumbent continuously interacts with Division Directors in the development of technical proposals. Judgment is needed to assist the Senior Development Officer in negotiating successful contract terms with donors and partner organizations in the role of prime contractor or recipient or as sub partners. The PDO is expected to possess, develop and expand a large network of contacts within relevant donor agencies, other development implementation organizations, academic and research institutions with expertise in the area of agriculture and food security.

RESPONSIBILITY

This individual in this position must work to develop and keep current a business development plan for each regional Division which identifies and prepares the organization to compete for sufficient levels of new funding to meet our growth targets. This position requires analytical judgment concerning the selection of projects on which to concentrate proposal efforts, as well as the application of various negotiating strategies in working with teaming partners and internal customers for execution of a successful capture strategy. The PDO may be required to deliver speeches and presentations, and represent IFDC at conferences, meetings and other public events. The PDO is expected to develop strategies in collaboration with members of IFDC’s senior management team. Project proposals and presentations are typically reviewed for overall soundness by the Senior Development Officer, Division Directors, program leaders, and the President and CEO. The PDO’s work is critical to IFDC’s financial and programmatic success.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Most contacts are made with staff, donors, funding organizations, governmental ministries and agencies, and clients to present IFDC capabilities. This position negotiates project proposals and works to obtain funding support.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires working in a normal office environment with no unusual physical demands or exposure to hazardous situations. Substantial international travel, sometimes to challenging environments, is required.

About the Organization

The Organization:

Since 1974, IFDC has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in over 100 developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

www.IFDC.org