Business Development Specialist II

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's mission is driven by a collaborative, mission-oriented culture, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices and community welfare. The organization employs a diverse workforce and prioritizes candidates from the regions where it operates, ensuring a local perspective in its humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Business Development Specialist II position is situated within the Institutional Funding Department of CRS’ Global Resource Engagement and Mobilization Division. This role is crucial for strategically positioning and pursuing funding from institutional donors, which includes government entities, multilateral organizations, foundations, and corporations. The specialist will lead the production of high-quality funding applications, utilizing their expertise to provide specialized assistance throughout the Business Development (BD) cycle. This position requires a proactive approach to engage with various teams across CRS regions and program areas, ensuring that proposals are not only competitive but also aligned with donor requirements and CRS’ technical standards. The specialist will be responsible for managing the proposal development process, advising on opportunity analysis, and coordinating inputs from various stakeholders to create compelling proposals that effectively communicate CRS’ mission and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Business Development Specialist II will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including providing BD expertise to country leadership and proposal teams, managing pre-positioning and proposal development processes, and ensuring timely submission of high-quality proposals. The specialist will serve as a proposal coordinator, advising on opportunity analysis and leading go/no-go decisions. They will also contribute as a lead or support writer on proposals, integrating inputs from staff and partners to create coherent and compelling proposals. Additionally, the specialist will guide partner identification and negotiate CRS’ role in proposal consortia, ensuring adherence to partnership principles. Liaising with senior management and donor engagement focal points, the specialist will develop resource mobilization strategies and support relationship-building with institutional donors. The role also involves researching and analyzing new funding opportunities, developing BD tools and resources, and training staff to enhance their skills in proposal development and donor engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Business Development Specialist II position must possess a Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or a related field. A minimum of eight years of experience in international development is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree in a relevant field. Applicants should demonstrate experience in utilizing proactive strategies to secure funding and build institutional relationships. Proven experience in leading and producing competitive proposals in similar programming contexts is essential, along with familiarity with grants and contract funding mechanisms. The ability to lead project teams under tight deadlines and produce high-quality deliverables is crucial, as is experience in providing remote support to diverse teams. Candidates should also have experience in developing training content related to business development practices and knowledge of adult learning approaches.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a similar discipline is preferred, as it may enhance the candidate's understanding of complex international development issues and funding mechanisms.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with at least three years of experience in a developing country preferred. Candidates should have a demonstrated track record of leading and producing competitive proposals and managing business development processes effectively. Experience in working with institutional donors and understanding their regulations and priorities is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while a working ability in French is strongly preferred. This bilingual capability will enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and improve the competitiveness of proposals submitted to French-speaking donors.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote-working position, allowing for flexibility in work location. Candidates must be willing to travel up to 35% as required by the role. The position does not have supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and contribute to the agency's commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults.