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, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and trust in its operations.

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 with institutional donors across various regions, including Central, West, Eastern, and Southern Africa. The specialist will lead the production of high-quality funding applications, ensuring that they align with donor requirements and CRS’ technical and cost standards. The position requires a deep understanding of the Business Development (BD) cycle and the ability to provide specialized assistance across different disciplines and functional teams. The specialist will work closely with country leadership and proposal teams to manage pre-positioning, capture planning, and proposal development processes, ensuring timely execution and submission of proposals that meet high-quality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Business Development Specialist II will be responsible for providing BD expertise to country leadership and proposal teams, managing the pre-positioning, capture, and proposal development processes. Key responsibilities include advising on opportunity analysis, leading go/no-go decisions, coordinating partner inputs, and conducting proposal review panels. The specialist will also serve as a lead or support writer on proposals, integrating technical and non-technical content 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 relationship-building with institutional donors, and research new funding opportunities. Training and mentoring staff in BD practices and maintaining data on past performance are also essential duties.

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 utilizing diverse strategies for competitive positioning and producing high-quality proposals is essential. Familiarity with institutional donor regulations and experience with grants and contract funding mechanisms are also required. Strong relationship management, negotiation, and writing skills are crucial for success in this role.

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

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with a strong emphasis on business development activities. Experience in leading project teams and producing deliverables under tight deadlines is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience providing remote support to diverse teams and developing training content related to business development practices.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while a working ability in French is strongly preferred. This bilingual capability will enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and institutional donors, particularly in regions where French is commonly used.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote-working position, allowing for flexibility in work location. 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 are based on the country of employment. The agency is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and all candidates are expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct. The successful candidate may be required to travel up to 35% of the time, depending on the needs of the position.