Vacancy: Business Development Specialist II

Company Profile

As the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through integrated programming in emergency response, health, agriculture/livelihoods, education, peacebuilding and more. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Job Description

• Job Title: Business Development Specialist II


• Reports to:  Country Representative


• Department: 


• Salary Grade: 10


• Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Job Summary:

As Business Development (BD) Specialist II you will lead the production of high-quality applications for funding in support of CRS’ engagement with institutional donors and initiatives involved in international development to serve the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and skills will allow you to provide specialized assistance in all dimensions of the BD cycle to cross-disciplines and cross-functional teams. 

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Provide BD expertise in positioning, capture planning and proposal preparation for specific opportunities with institutional donors (government and inter-governmental award issuing organizations, as well as foundations, corporations and other awarding non-governmental organizations).


• Coordinate proposal development processes to ensure timely submission of high-quality proposals that are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and CRS’ technical and cost standards. Lead and support proposal budget processes and propose recommendations to develop a competitive proposal.


• As appropriate, serve as proposal coordinator or other lead role in proposal team, and participate in bid analysis and proposal review panels. Serve as a lead or support writer on proposals, contributing both technical and non-technical content and integrating inputs from staff and partners into a responsive, coherent proposal with a compelling vision and clear win themes.


• Train and mentor staff, as needed, to improve their skills in proposal development, representation to donor and partner organizations, intelligence-gathering, and marketing within their country program or portfolio.


• Support and guide identification of partners and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership principles and strategic directions. Research, track and analyze new opportunities and CRS’ competitive position within the marketplace.


• Support senior management to cultivate and strengthen institutional relationships with institutional donors, partner organizations and other stakeholders.


• Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, in order to provide timely information for proposal submissions.


• Support the localization of CP Resource Mobilization Strategy and Sector Influence priorities in line with the new CP Sector Influence and 5 year CP strategy.

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal 

• CR, HoP, HoOPs, FM, COPs, PMs, Regional BD, other country program BD Managers, DRD-PQ, RTAs

External 

• Donors (USAID, EU, FCO), Bilateral and multi-lateral institutions, Government of Ghana, Private Sector, other INGOs, Caritas, consultants, and other local Partners

Required Skills or Experience

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.


• Minimum five years of development experience; both rural and urban development preferred.

Required Languages - English 

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience utilizing diverse, proactive strategies to competitively position his/her organization for new funding and productive institutional relationships.


• Exceptional writer with expert command of English grammar and AP style. 


• Demonstrated experience leading and producing competitive proposals in programming contexts similar to CRS. 


• Comprehensive familiarity with a broad range of institutional donor technical and cost requirements. 


• Experience with both USAID RFP and RFA funding mechanisms highly desirable.


• Familiarity with relevant institutional donor regulations, policies, procedures and priorities.


• Demonstrated experience managing teams and processes, leading teams to produce deliverables under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.


• 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.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity  


• Continuous Improvement & Innovation 


• Builds Relationships  


• Develops Talent 


• Strategic Mindset 


• Accountability & Stewardship