Business Development Specialist II, Project Design
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on relief and development work that encompasses emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency values diversity and welcomes individuals from various faiths and secular traditions who share its commitment to service. CRS has a strong presence in international development and humanitarian assistance, with a workforce that includes a diverse range of professionals dedicated to its mission.
Job Overview:
The Business Development Specialist II, Project Design, is a key member of the Business Development Service Team within the Institutional Funding Department at CRS. This global remote role is focused on providing guidance and advancing best practices in project design across the agency. The incumbent will develop essential design resources and strengthen design capabilities, supporting various teams including Business Development, donor engagement, programming, and technical colleagues. The role involves designing creative solutions, guiding strategic funding opportunities, and ensuring effective allocation of design resources to ongoing business development efforts. The specialist will lead strategic opportunities, engage stakeholders, and contribute to proposal writing and budgeting, ensuring competitive and responsive proposals are prepared. This position requires a proactive approach to project design, emphasizing evidence-informed practices and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Business Development Specialist II include serving as the Design Lead for strategic opportunities, which involves leading capture activities, setting plans with country and regional leadership, and engaging key stakeholders. The specialist will conduct literature reviews, needs assessments, and technical analyses, facilitating strategy selection and contributing to proposal writing, MEAL design, and budgeting. They will advise teams on proposal development plans, ensuring adherence to CRS and industry best practices. The role also includes planning and facilitating design sessions and workshops, ensuring participatory design and effective stakeholder engagement. The specialist will support the rollout of the revised flagship resource, ProPack, and collaborate with Global Programs leaders to deliver project design training. Additionally, they will track project design trends in the international development industry and contribute to CRS' wider Business Development Community of Practice, advancing agency practices through cross-agency initiatives. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with regions and internal stakeholders is essential to support regional and country teams in advancing key positioning and capture initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess exceptional knowledge of project design, including the development of design processes, assessment plans, theories of change, results frameworks, and MEAL plans. Familiarity with key funding agencies such as the World Bank, EU, FCDO, and USG is essential. Exceptional writing skills, particularly in English grammar and AP style, are required, with the ability to write proposals in Spanish, French, or another common institutional donor language considered a plus. Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills are necessary, along with effective communication, presentation, and relationship management abilities. Candidates should be proactive, resourceful, detail-oriented, and results-oriented, with team leadership and coaching skills. Knowledge of designing projects for various bilateral and multilateral donors across technical areas, particularly multi-sectoral projects, is also required.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development or a related field is required for this position. A Master’s degree in the same or a related field is preferred, particularly for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications and expertise in project design and business development.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with at least three years in business development, programming, or technical positions, ideally with experience leading design for complex proposals. Two years of experience working in multicultural and/or multilingual work contexts is also required, demonstrating the ability to navigate diverse environments effectively.
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. A working ability in French, Arabic, or Spanish is considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to multilingual project design efforts.
Additional Notes:
This position is a global remote role, with a preference for candidates based in countries where CRS has a legal presence. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel internationally approximately 35% of the time. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on relief and development work that encompasses emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The agency values diversity and welcomes individuals from various faiths and secular traditions who share its commitment to service. CRS has a strong presence in international development and humanitarian assistance, with a workforce that includes a diverse range of professionals dedicated to its mission.
Job Overview:
The Business Development Specialist II, Project Design, is a key member of the Business Development Service Team within the Institutional Funding Department at CRS. This global remote role is focused on providing guidance and advancing best practices in project design across the agency. The incumbent will develop essential design resources and strengthen design capabilities, supporting various teams including Business Development, donor engagement, programming, and technical colleagues. The role involves designing creative solutions, guiding strategic funding opportunities, and ensuring effective allocation of design resources to ongoing business development efforts. The specialist will lead strategic opportunities, engage stakeholders, and contribute to proposal writing and budgeting, ensuring competitive and responsive proposals are prepared. This position requires a proactive approach to project design, emphasizing evidence-informed practices and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Business Development Specialist II include serving as the Design Lead for strategic opportunities, which involves leading capture activities, setting plans with country and regional leadership, and engaging key stakeholders. The specialist will conduct literature reviews, needs assessments, and technical analyses, facilitating strategy selection and contributing to proposal writing, MEAL design, and budgeting. They will advise teams on proposal development plans, ensuring adherence to CRS and industry best practices. The role also includes planning and facilitating design sessions and workshops, ensuring participatory design and effective stakeholder engagement. The specialist will support the rollout of the revised flagship resource, ProPack, and collaborate with Global Programs leaders to deliver project design training. Additionally, they will track project design trends in the international development industry and contribute to CRS' wider Business Development Community of Practice, advancing agency practices through cross-agency initiatives. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with regions and internal stakeholders is essential to support regional and country teams in advancing key positioning and capture initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess exceptional knowledge of project design, including the development of design processes, assessment plans, theories of change, results frameworks, and MEAL plans. Familiarity with key funding agencies such as the World Bank, EU, FCDO, and USG is essential. Exceptional writing skills, particularly in English grammar and AP style, are required, with the ability to write proposals in Spanish, French, or another common institutional donor language considered a plus. Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills are necessary, along with effective communication, presentation, and relationship management abilities. Candidates should be proactive, resourceful, detail-oriented, and results-oriented, with team leadership and coaching skills. Knowledge of designing projects for various bilateral and multilateral donors across technical areas, particularly multi-sectoral projects, is also required.
Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in international development or a related field is required for this position. A Master’s degree in the same or a related field is preferred, particularly for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications and expertise in project design and business development.
Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of eight years of experience in international development, with at least three years in business development, programming, or technical positions, ideally with experience leading design for complex proposals. Two years of experience working in multicultural and/or multilingual work contexts is also required, demonstrating the ability to navigate diverse environments effectively.
Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. A working ability in French, Arabic, or Spanish is considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to multilingual project design efforts.
Additional Notes:
This position is a global remote role, with a preference for candidates based in countries where CRS has a legal presence. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel internationally approximately 35% of the time. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and staff from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.