Background
In July 2022, the African Union launched the African Union Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative (WYFEI) 2030. WYFEI is overseen by the Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD). WYFEI 2030 and is operationalized through a partnership framework comprising 3 clusters – Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship and Business Development and Quotas. These clusters are communities of action that comprise an open network of people with complementary skills from different organizations jointly delivering, leading and coordinating continental efforts towards women and youth financial and economic inclusion.
The African Union Commission, together with the Graca Machel Trust (GMT) and the Mastercard Foundation are seeking to develop a coordinated Pan African response to the aspirations of the AU Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative. The response will leverage existing commitments and relationships across the three partner organizations while exploring opportunities to catalyze quick additional results.
In that regard, the Graca Machel Trust seeks to recruit a skilled and experienced Proposal Writer to assist in developing a compelling and persuasive proposal that : Incorporates existing evidence on the status of women and youth financial inclusion in Africa highlighting existing gaps, trends, good practices and entry points for collaboration; WYFEI partners expertise and capabilities in supporting regional and national implementation of the initiative ultimately leading to the successful acquisition of new project.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the bid cycle – from positioning, planning and production of high-quality funding proposals, concepts and submissions.
- Develop a portfolio of quality partnership building and business development assets including capability statements, organisational and programme decks
- Represent the organization in relevant platforms, and at donor and strategic partnership meetings.
- Build and maintain databases and systems to support donor and partner relationship management.
- Collaborate with the organ WYFEI secretariat and partners to understand project goals, needs, and desired outcomes.
- Develop a clear and compelling proposal that effectively addresses, partners commitments and funder priorities and requirements.
- Craft persuasive arguments that demonstrate the orpartners capacity to achieve the proposed project’s objectives.
- Create detailed budgets that accurately represent the financial needs of the project, including expenses and income projections.
- Write and edit proposals, ensuring clarity, coherence, and proper grammar.
- Tailor proposals to meet the specific language and tone of the funding opportunity.
- Review and revise proposals for accuracy and consistency.
- Handle sensitive information and organisational data with professionalism and confidentiality.
- Adhere to ethical guidelines and standards in proposal preparation.
Key desired qualifications and skills
- A minimum 8 years of combined national and international experience in business development.
- Considerable experience in writing and editing, particularly in the context of donor grant design, reporting/relations.
- At least 5 years’ experience working with and/or influencing funding systems, donor organizations and decision-makers.
- Experience in grant management and administration processes.
- Experience working with/collaborating with the African Union or an African Regional Economic Community is essential
- Flexible and adaptable approach to responding to shifting priorities and a rapidly evolving external environment.
- Strategic leadership, representation, influencing, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to produce complex technical and cost proposals under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.
- Excellent engagement and communication (written and spoken) skills to be able to absorb complex information and package it in a clear way to desired audiences.
- Conversant with IT software of common use, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Masters degree in international or public relations, business administration, communications, social sciences or law or other related fields.
- Passion for the advancement of women and children’s rights in Africa.
- An entrepreneurial mindset.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English is a requirement and fluency in another AU language (French, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic) is an added advantage.
How to apply
Please submit a CV (maximum 3 pages) and cover letter, to recruitment@gracamacheltrust.org with the job title in the subject line by 7th July 2024.
Late applications and candidates who do not comply with the above requirements will automatically be disqualified. The Trust reserves the right not to fill the position and to conduct interviews on a rolling basis. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you do not receive correspondence from us within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful. We encourage people with disabilities and from other diverse backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate based on disability.