Sr. Business Development Specialist, SAFO

Job Description

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department:

Opportunity Development (OPD) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Opportunity Development team contributes to realizing this purpose by overseeing Pact’s new business development activities. Every member of the Opportunity Development team at Pact is committed to sharing in the success of the organization, its peers, and individual accomplishments. The Opportunity Development team is managed through a matrixed structure that promotes winning proposals through collaboration. The team offers team members, both experienced and new professionals, opportunities for learning and professional development. Ideal candidates bring positive energy to this dynamic work environment.

Position Overview:

The Senior Business Development Specialist (SBDS) for Southern and Francophone Africa works with a wide range of Pact staff and teams worldwide - including but not limited to program management professionals, technical experts, finance staff, and country offices - to develop new projects and prepare proposals in response to donor requirements. Ideal candidates can blend the strategic, analytical thinking needed to craft a winning proposal with the tactical skills needed to address the day-to-day details of proposal management. At least 25% international travel is expected. Length of travel will vary based on specific needs, ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks at a time.

The SBDS reports to the BD Officer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide support to Pact Country Offices throughout the proposal development lifecycle, including but not limited to pre-positioning for new opportunities; managing live proposals; coordinating and submitting responses to questions; coordinating after-action internal reviews and gathering feedback from donors on submitted proposals; and supporting handover to program managers and project start-up, if relevant.
• As proposal manager, lead the development of proposals with minimal day-to-day oversight, coordinating the overarching process by establishing and adhering to timelines for technical and cost volumes; troubleshooting solutions to unexpected challenges; ensuring that proposals meet funder specifications and deadlines as well as Pact’s quality standards; drafting sections of proposals; finalizing documents; and coordinating submission, among other activities.
• Support and/or facilitate bid decision conversations.
• Collaborate with program officers, country representatives, and other staff to conceptualize and design proposals for new project activities and/or amendments/extensions to current projects.
• Negotiate and coordinate teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other institutional agreements with partners.
• Coordinate with Pact’s Agreement Management and Pricing teams for budget review and approvals and to negotiate final awards with donors.
• Contribute to the development and production of proposals as assigned. This may include conducting research for anticipated opportunities; developing drafts of proposal sections; supporting recruitment of key personnel; developing past performance references, and other required proposal development tasks.
• Build a network of professional business contacts within Pact’s industry.
• Assist with identifying training needs, including developing and delivering training modules tailored to the needs of headquarters and field-based Pact staff.
• Support the development of manuals, general operating procedures templates, guides and other tools.
• Maintain accurate information in Pact’s database, ensuring records are up-to-date at all times.
• Other required tasks, as needed.

Basic Requirements:

• BA and at least four (4) years of relevant experience or MA and at least two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Knowledgeable in one or more of Pact’s technical areas (health, livelihoods, natural resource management, capacity development, governance, or engaging markets).
• Strong planning and time management skills and the ability to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities.
• Prior proposal development experience, preferably as a proposal manager for U.S. government-funded RFAs and/or RFPs.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Ability to problem-solve difficult issues.
• Good negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Able to follow internal processes and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain professional relationships with internal colleagues and contacts in donor and peer organizations.
• Facility with common desktop applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to travel internationally on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in international development in an overseas setting.
• Working knowledge and understanding of international development donor policies and regulations.
• Familiarity with Salesforce.
• Proficiency in a language relevant to Pact’s regional priorities.

Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the Organization

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. Now more than ever in its 42-year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.
Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.