Business Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving lives without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices in all operations.

Job Overview:
The Business Development Specialist will lead the production of high-quality funding applications to support CRS' engagement with institutional donors and initiatives in international development. This role requires specialized assistance across all dimensions of the Business Development (BD) cycle, particularly focusing on strategic funding opportunities in Central and Western Africa. The specialist will provide expertise to country leadership and proposal teams, manage proposal development processes, and ensure timely execution of proposals that meet donor requirements and CRS standards. The position involves significant collaboration with senior management and donor engagement focal points to develop resource mobilization strategies and strengthen relationships with institutional donors and stakeholders. The specialist will also contribute to the development of BD tools and resources, train staff, and actively participate in the CRS Business Development Community of Practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Business Development Specialist include providing BD expertise to country leadership and proposal teams, managing pre-positioning and proposal development processes, and ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals. The specialist will serve as a proposal coordinator, advising on opportunity analysis, leading go/no-go decisions, and coordinating partner inputs. They will also contribute to proposal writing, integrating technical and non-technical content, and developing budgets. The specialist will guide partner identification and negotiate CRS' role in consortia, ensuring competitive positioning for CRS. Additionally, they will research and analyze new funding opportunities, lead donor mapping exercises, and support the development of CRS BD tools and best practices. Training and mentoring staff in proposal development and donor engagement will also be key responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in international development, international relations, or a related field, along with a minimum of eight years of international development experience. Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in a developing country. Candidates should demonstrate experience in competitive positioning for funding, leading proposal development processes, and managing project teams under tight deadlines. Familiarity with grants and contract funding mechanisms is essential, as is experience in providing remote support to diverse teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in international development, international relations, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in international development work.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with a strong background in business development practices. Experience in a developing country context is preferred, particularly in roles that involve leading proposal development and managing relationships with institutional donors.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages commonly used by institutional donors is considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 35% and is preferred to be located in Central or Western Africa, with the ability to work during GMT hours. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but involves significant collaboration with various teams. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the local office's policies. The organization prioritizes candidates from the countries where it operates and is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals involved in its programs.