Consultant – Business Development/Proposal Writing

The intention of this call for Expression of Interest (EOI) is to establish a dedicated roster of highly skilled and experienced proposal development technical writers, for AIRD based on the needs and opportunities.

Background:

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Programme Offices in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Niger, Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational technical support, including but not limited to supply chain, logistics and infrastructure in partnership with relief and development organisations that focus on disaster-affected, poverty-infested and development-oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organisations and governments.

To support its growth ambition AIRD now seeks to set up a roster of Business Development and Proposal Writer (Consultant)

Purpose and Objectives

The role of Business Development and Proposal Grant Writer (Consultant) is a specialised consultancy position responsible to guide the proposal development process, ensuring that the project design, strategic approach and interventions are well aligned to the specific donors’ objectives, coordination with AIRD proposal development team lead- Business Development and Strategic Partnership, Program, Finance to lead the writing of winning proposals through gathering insight and inputs from AIRD country teams, partners and relevant stakeholders to create a comprehensive, cohesive and complaint technical narrative. The Proposal Writer will contribute to the design of the Management and Staffing Plan to ensure proper implementation of the project design.

Location of Assignment

Assignments may be undertaken remotely, and no travel is expected, unless expressly invited. Support for donor engagement, scoping or bid identification is not required within the scope of this EOI. The position is solely responsible for delivery of efficient and high-quality proposal writing.

Specific Task:

1. Project Design Leadership

• Develop a realistic proposal development plan and end to end process road map with clear responsibilities and timeline
• Lead the development of the technical approach to ensure it aligns with specific donors’ objectives, priorities and requirements.
• Conduct background research and identify necessary information to strengthen the project design, integrating lessons learned from past similar projects both with in and outside AIRD projects.
• Facilitate design and kick start workshops, theory of change discussions, and stakeholder consultations, engaging Head Office and country technical teams, partners, NGOs, and government actors as needed.
• Lead the design process, ensuring all stakeholders contribute to a cohesive and strategic approach that reflects the opportunity details
• Ensure you understand the donor requirements, program design planning, thematic areas and deadlines.
• Lead for the proposal response, including end-to-end planning, timeline development, soliciting inputs from program, country teams, Business development, finance, and other relevant support colleagues, specific to the proposal and annex requirements. This includes acting as (internal) proposal focal point for all queries, facilitating senior management reviews and consolidating inputs for final submission.
• Lead the proposal, writing, edit and formatting to ensure the whole proposal is consistent and high quality.
• Coordinate the review and feedback integration and provide regular updates, including timely escalating issues as required.
• Participating in a lesson learned call following bid submission as required.

2. Collaboration and Coordination

• Work closely with the AIRD Proposal Development Team Lead to define partner roles, budget allocations, and project timelines.
• Contribute to negotiations of partner roles and ensure feedback on missing partners is provided, fostering a collaborative teamwork approach.
• Ensure strategic alignment with AIRD strategic priorities and thematic program interventions, while coordinating with Business Development and Strategic Partnership, Program, Finnane and Administration, and to ensure that the project design is fully captured in the MEAL Plan and budget.
• Provide feedback on the proposal development calendar and validate budget marks for different sections.
• Participate in preparatory calls, workshops, meetings, and technical discussions as needed.

3. Technical Narrative Development

• Lead the development of the technical narrative in collaboration with technical team members ensuring clarity, cohesion, and alignment with project/program objectives.
• Coordinate inputs from team members, partners, and other stakeholders, delegating writing assignments where appropriate.
• Ensure the technical design is fully captured in the logical framework and MEAL plan and work closely with the Cost and Budget Lead to align the detailed budget with the technical narrative.
• Complete writing assignments as needed. Delegate writing assignments to Technical Team members, including partners.
• Support drafts to the Proposal Team Lead to coordinate the review and support the Proposal Team Lead in assigning technical team members for draft reviews.
• Review and incorporate inputs and subsequent revisions with the Proposal Writer and Technical Team members.

4. Final Review and Submission

• Together with the Proposal Team Lead, review the full draft proposal and make final revisions to ensure alignment across all sections and with donor requirements.
• Make final approvals on technical content in coordination with Head Office and country technical leads, ensuring compliance with donor requirements before submission.
• Assist with post-submission revisions, negotiations, and best and final offer responses, and any additional revisions requested by various donors as needed.
• Coordinate real time review, including lessons learnt and implications for future AIRD proposal development

5. Duration

This EOI serves as an opportunity for candidates to be added to a roster of proposal writers for AIRD but does not serve as a guarantee of contracting. Proposal development assignments are expected to last between two to three weeks on average; however, the level of effort required will depend on the scope of the opportunity.

If selected to become part of the roster, a framework agreement will be provided for 24-month period. Signing a framework agreement does not commit AIRD to providing work during this period for the assigned consultant/s. In case the consultant would be matched with an opportunity,

6. Applicant Profile

Education

• Master’s degree in international development or other relevant discipline.
• Proposal writing training certification, or attendance record.

Experience

• Extensive experience designing winning project proposals for various donors including bi-laterals, private corporates, foundations, multilaterals and UN Agencies ; going beyond the generic proposal writing templates
• At least six years’ experience of working in program delivery and with institutional donor audiences or similar in business development and/or management roles.
• At least three years’ experience working specifically in proposal writing positions in lead writer positions in a humanitarian context. Experience writing large proposals (preferably over 10 million USD multi years and multi countries) for institutional donors is essential. A past successful proposal might be requested
• Strength in telling AIRD story (targeted messaging) in a skilful way that resonates with funding award agencies
• Demonstrable experience of working with affiliated offices within complex organisation structures.
• Experience working cross culturally with demonstrated effectiveness as a Team Leader
• Excellent leadership, verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with the operational context of various AIRD countries of operations
• Experience in establishing consortia, or negotiating implementing partnerships will be considered an advantage
• Keen familiarity with donor regulations, standards and compliance matters.
• Excellent written and spoken English and French and attention to detail.
• Able to demonstrate strong facilitation skills, work efficiently to deliver key tasks and adapt quickly to changing deadlines and requirements.
• Recognition, certificate/s and award in proposal development, will be an added advantage
• Strong understanding of Sectoral Programs:
• • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
    – Food Security
    – Livelihoods
    – Youth Employment and skilling
    – Emergency Response (all sectors)
    – Shelter/NFI
    – Social Enterprise income generation
    – Logistics value chain
    – Renewable energy

Cross-Cutting:

• • Climate
    – Anticipatory Action/Preparedness
    – Cash/Vouchers
    – Displacement Responses
    – Durable Solutions

Donor Experience:

• • European UniSanitation, Hygiene (WASH)
    – United States (BHA, BPRM, other)
    – Germany (GFFO, BMZ, GIZ, KFW)
    – United Kingdom (FCDO, CSSF, other)
    – Canada (GAC, other)
    – Swiss Development Agency
    – SIDA
    – DANIDA
    – Ministries of Foreign Affairs (NMFA, Czech MoFA, French MoFA, Dutch MoFA, Italian MoFA, other)
    – World Bank

Target Groups of Focus

• • Refugees
    – IDPs
    – Youth
    – Women
    – PWD
    – Communities