Business Development Specialist II, East Africa-Asia Pod
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled business development specialists in the non-profit sector has surged in recent years, with a growing need for experts who can navigate complex funding landscapes and build strategic relationships with institutional donors. As the global development landscape continues to evolve, professionals with experience in international development, grant writing, and partnership building are in high demand. With the rise of remote work, opportunities like this one at Catholic Relief Services offer a unique chance to leverage your skills and expertise to drive meaningful impact from anywhere in the world. Before applying, candidates should be aware that a deep understanding of the international development sector, as well as excellent writing and communication skills, are essential for success in this role.
Job Description
About the Role
The Business Development Specialist II position at Catholic Relief Services plays a critical role in securing funding and building strategic relationships with institutional donors to support the organization's mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. As part of the Global Resource Engagement and Mobilization Division, this position works closely with teams across all CRS regions and program areas to identify and pursue new funding opportunities. With a focus on the East Africa-Asia region, this role requires a deep understanding of the local context and the ability to navigate complex funding landscapes.The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. They will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from proposal development to partnership building, and will be expected to provide expert guidance and support to country leadership and proposal teams.
As a key member of the Business Development Service Team, this position will also contribute to the development of CRS' business development practices and tools, and will help to build the capacity of staff across the organization to pursue new funding opportunities.
What You Will Do
- Provide business development expertise to country leadership and proposal teams to support the development of high-quality funding applications
- Manage pre-positioning, capture, and proposal development processes to ensure timely execution and submission of proposals
- Deploy as a proposal coordinator, lead writer, or budget lead to support the development of proposals
- Conduct opportunity analysis, lead go/no-go decisions, capture planning, and coordinate partner inputs and proposal review panels
- Develop and manage proposal budgets, and provide recommendations to develop competitive proposals
- Guide and advise on partner identification and negotiating CRS' role in proposal consortia
- Liaise with senior management and donor engagement focal points to develop a resource mobilization strategy for a specific region, country, sector, or donor
- Research, track, and analyze new opportunities and CRS' competitive position within the marketplace
- Lead and/or support the development of CRS BD tools, resources, and guidance on BD best practices and CRS approaches across the BD cycle
- Train and mentor staff to improve their skills across the CRS BD Cycle
- Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, to provide timely information for proposal submissions
What We Are Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in international development, international relations, or a related field
- Minimum eight years of international development experience
- Demonstrated experience in business development, grant writing, or a related field
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience with budget development and management
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Familiarity with CRS' programs and operations
- Experience working with institutional donors, including government, multilateral, and foundation donors
Nice to Have
- Master's degree in international development, international relations, or a related field
- At least three years of experience working in a developing country
- Experience with project management and coordination
- Familiarity with CRS' business development practices and tools
- Language skills in French, Spanish, or Arabic
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a global organization and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Professional development opportunities, including training and mentorship
- Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options
- Access to a global network of professionals in the international development sector
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous paid time off and leave policies, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
- Retirement savings plan, including a 401(k) match
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Be prepared to provide specific examples of your experience with business development, grant writing, and partnership building in your application and during interviews.
- Tip: Research Catholic Relief Services' programs and operations, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the organization's mission and goals.
- Tip: Practice your writing and communication skills, as these are essential for success in this role.
- Tip: Be prepared to discuss your experience working with institutional donors, including government, multilateral, and foundation donors.
- Tip: Consider highlighting any experience you have working in a fast-paced environment and meeting deadlines, as well as your ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Tip: If you have experience with project management and coordination, be sure to highlight this in your application, as it is a desirable skill for this role.
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