TITLE: Program & Partnerships Development Officer
The Program & Partnerships Development Officer (PDO) will support IFDC Global Field Programs to develop, manage and pursue new business opportunities that will result in increased revenue and impact. Focus will be on Africa, while incidentally supporting business development in Asia.
The PDO will report directly to the Director Global Field Programs, and will collaborate with IFDC Regional Deputy Directors (NW-Africa, ES-Africa, Asia), IFDC Country Directors, and the Senior Development Officer in IFDC’s Program Development Unit (PDU) in Washington DC.
The PDO will conduct or coordinate reconnaissance, design strategies and manage proposal development, coordinate the involvement of IFDC Country Directors and COPs, Science Officers and consultants. As lead proposal writer, the PDO will integrate inputs of other contributors in proposals that are being developed.
Duties:
- Assist Director of IFDC Global Field Programs in developing its new business development strategy.
- Liaise with donors and partner organizations to identify and monitor new business opportunities throughout Africa and Asia.
- Provide coordination, management and development of business planning activities across countries and sectors and communicate and collaborate in the implementation of these activities with other IFDC staff.
- Work with the Director of Global Field Programs, Regional Deputy Directors, the PDU, Country Directors and Project staff to provide direction and leadership in managing all phases of the proposal development process (partner selection and management, proposal conceptualizing and writing, personnel recruitment, budgeting, project management, post proposal assessment, etc.) according to IFDC’s practices and procedures.
- Lead development of proposals (as Proposal Manager or Lead Technical Writer) responding to high priority new business:
- Develop proposal design strategy;
- Lead in-country reconnaissance for proposal research, identification of lead or support partners and candidate recruitment;
- Identify technical consultants as needed;
- Coordinate with the Budget Unit, PDU and Human Resources to recruit suitable staff and 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 PDU the development of proposal calendars, assignment of responsibilities for completion of all required proposal sections, establishing proposal review teams and processing of required documents, representations and certifications, and the involvement of other organizational units (i.e., Information and Communications Unit, Human Resources, etc.);
- Ensure full and final submission of complete proposal and addenda; and
- Convene and facilitate post-submission debriefs;
- Engage in quality control for proposal review.
- Perform a variety of other related duties as required
JOB REQUIREMENTS
This position requires proven and effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability 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 agriculture with the 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 developing strong donor relations, capturing funding through competitive proposal development, and in creating opportunities for successful submission of unsolicited proposals..
- Solid knowledge of proposal and donor funding requirements and the ability to apply that knowledge in preparing project proposals.
- Master’s degree in an agriculture-related field and at least 10 years relevant work experience (or Bachelor’s degree with 15 years’ work experience) in analytical and strategic roles within the private sector and/or international development sphere with a record of proven success.
- At least five years’ experience in project design and implementation in international agricultural development, agribusiness, economic growth, and/or enterprise development.
- Knowledge of the international development donor landscape and proven track record of developing winning funding proposals from a range of donors, including USAID, Netherlands Embassies and Governments and others.
- 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 to improve their livelihoods. Knowledge of input and fertilizer markets is strongly desirable.
- Strong focus on results.
- Strong written and oral communication skills with an enthusiasm for writing.
- Experienced and willing traveler.
- Fluency in both written and oral English and French.
This is an International Position, based in either Accra or Nairobi. The position is available immediately.
More Information
- Job City Accra
