Business Development Senior Technical Proposal Writer Job at National Cooperativ
National Cooperative Business Assoc, Washington, DC, United States
Job Description
Important note about the Salary Range for this position.
NCBA CLUSA conducts a salary analysis for each job it advertises to ensure fair compensation. The salary offered is based on their experience and qualifications, and it is aligned with the pay equity of current employees holding similarly graded positions. This ensures that salary offers are both equitable and consistent across the organization.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Business Development Senior Technical Proposal Writer will be responsible for writing and editing technical proposals and documents, participating in technical meetings, conducting research, and supporting the design of well-organized and compliant proposals. With a primary focus on Business Development, the person in this position will also use their experience and expertise to provide training and mentoring to build the capacity of staff in technical writing. He/she will also be responsible for updating program summaries and capacity statements highlighting the qualifications of NCBA CLUSA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serves as lead technical writer and copyeditor, with the support of subject matter experts and partners, on capture and full technical proposal efforts for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other donors.
- Studies requests for proposals and agreements (RFPs and RFAs); leads and participates in strategy and technical meetings; and synthesizes information to develop proposal content.
- Manages and works with subject matter experts and partners, collects technical inputs and information; integrates content into proposals and submissions that are compliant and responsive to donor requirements.
- Develops diagrams, flowcharts, and illustrations to enhance understanding of complex technical interventions and processes.
- Conducts research in one or more technical areas (e.g. agriculture, markets, and finance) in support of proposal development and ensures that proposals use citations and evidence, where appropriate.
- Works on proposal capture and leads design meetings either at headquarters or in the field to develop design outlines, conceptual frameworks, and other sections that will feed into proposals.
- Writes winning proposals with clear executive summaries; objectives, outcomes, and deliverables; theories of change; activities, approaches, and methods for program implementation; timetables and workplans; management and staffing plans; and organizational capacity sections of proposals.
Other Job Duties
- Writes result-oriented program profiles and organizational capacity statements to support business development activities.
- Improves proposal-writing results by evaluating and re-designing processes, improving coordination, and using boilerplates including the development of proposal writing style guides and other tools to improve technical writing.
- Maintains quality results by using templates; following proposal-writing standards including readability, consistency, and tone; and maintains proposal support databases.
- Performs other proposal support tasks such as graphic design and production. Works with Proposal Managers to coordinate final proposal production, packaging, submission or delivery.
- Obtains approvals by reviewing proposal with key providers and project managers.
- Performs any other related duties as required or assigned.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS: - A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, or International Development or related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
- 10 years of experience in writing proposals for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and/or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- 3 years of supervisory experience, preferred (may be included in the 10 Years of experience)
- Demonstrated track record serving as the lead writer for successful USAID and/or USDA proposals, including proposals with budgets of $10 million or more.
- Ability to participate in technical design meetings, collect and elicit technical inputs, and synthesize information into donor responsive and compliant proposals.
- Familiar with technical approaches and business models in one or more areas such as agriculture, market development, economic growth, and governance.
- Ability to conduct desk research and identify reliably-sourced data, statistics, and facts to support coherent analysis of development contexts.
- Strong knowledge of the international development industry, donors, and procurement processes specifically for USAID and USDA and key USAID initiatives (such as Feed the Future).
- Ability to apply knowledge and experience to analyze, interpret, and develop responsive and compliant proposals.
- Experience with Microsoft Word, including Styling, Formatting, Layout, and Accessibility Checks
- Fluency in English required (French or other language skills desired).
- Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Experience writing technical proposals in economic development or food security.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to listen and incorporate feedback.
- Knowledgeable in using/adhering to AP style manual.
- Ability to work autonomously and in a team environment under critical deadline pressures.
- Advanced skills in MS Office applications.
- Strong organizational skills that demonstrate an elevated level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to travel internationally.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
None.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have the ability to travel internationally up to 25%.