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, focusing on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving the poor and vulnerable 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 humanitarian work.

Job Overview:
The Business Development Specialist II 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, working closely with various disciplines and functional teams. The specialist will be part of the global Institutional Funding Team, providing surge support on strategic funding opportunities focused on Central and Western Africa. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying and securing funding opportunities, ensuring that proposals are competitive and aligned with donor requirements and CRS' standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specialist will provide BD expertise to country leadership and proposal teams, managing pre-positioning, capture planning, and proposal development processes. Responsibilities include ensuring timely execution and submission of high-quality proposals, advising on opportunity analysis, leading go/no-go decisions, coordinating partner inputs, and conducting proposal review panels. The specialist will also contribute as a lead or support writer on proposals, integrating inputs from staff and partners into coherent proposals. Additionally, the role involves developing proposal budgets, guiding partner identification, and negotiating CRS' role in proposal consortia. The specialist will liaise with senior management to develop resource mobilization strategies, support donor relationship cultivation, and conduct donor mapping exercises. Training and mentoring staff in BD practices and maintaining data on past performance are also key responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess 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. Demonstrated experience in competitive positioning for funding, leading proposal development, and managing project teams under tight deadlines is essential. Familiarity with grants and contract funding mechanisms is also required, along with experience in providing remote support to diverse teams.

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

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with a strong preference for candidates who have at least three years of experience working in a developing country context. Experience in leading and producing competitive proposals, as well as managing project teams and processes, is crucial for success in this role.

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 communicate effectively in diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position may require travel up to 35%. Candidates should be willing to work during GMT hours and preferably be located in Central or Western Africa. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, while benefits for international candidates are based on the country of employment. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates must adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct. The job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as needed.