Website Mercy Corps
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Business Development Specialist
Number of Vacant Position:1
Location(s): Mercy Corps Kathmandu office
Time Period: January 15, 2023 through July 15, 2023 (full time)
Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girls’ education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Mercy Corps takes a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal. We currently have offices in Kathmandu, Dhanghadi, Surkhet and Jumla, and manage a portfolio of approximately $20 million, across a variety of institutional and private donors.
Purpose / Project Description:
The position will support Mercy Corps’ pre-positioning efforts for various new opportunities by supporting concept notes and proposal development. The Business Development Specialist will be primarily responsible for identifying new funding opportunities, donor pre-positioning, and contributing to new business development, including leading designs and lead writing concept notes and proposals. S/he will work in close coordination with the Business Development and Strategic Communications Manager, Program Managers, MEL Managers and Technical Advisors.
Description
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Strategy and Vision
- Collaboratively set the direction for business development and technical publications based on the country-wide and regional strategies, donor strategic priorities, and creative exploration of new donor and private sector funding partnerships.Proposal Development
Proposal Development
- Based on the size of the proposal, lead or support on the development of concept notes and funding proposals (including budgets), coordinating the process with all departments.
- Work in collaboration with HQ teams to coordinate development and design of new opportunities for concept notes and proposals.
- Ensure proposals are developed in coordination and consultation with Director of Programs, program technical managers, finance, and operations teams (including logistics) and that necessary support is adequately budgeted.
- Coordinate engagements with potential partners as part of developing programming opportunities and in alignment with MC country strategy.
- Provide hands-on coordination capacity and design support for new funding opportunities.
- Support day-to-day operations of the New Business Development including logistics, management, and administrative assistance to the New Business Development.
- Lead or support processes to hire consultants needed for proposal development including drafting terms of references and assisting with the contracting process.
- Support preparation and implementation of various research studies such as stakeholder mapping and analysis including donor analysis industry trends that contributes to pipelines and to inform proposal development.
- Contribute to the expansion of the organization’s Consultant roster for key technical and bid preparation functions.Representation and Coordination
Representation and Coordination
- Identify opportunities for strategic growth and portfolio expansion through new business development and donor scoping.
- Represent Mercy Corps in cultivating relationships with key donors and partner organizations.
- Act as a representative of Mercy Corps to organizations on program development matters, including attending key internal and external meetings, as needed.
- Represent Mercy Corps in inter agency coordination meetings as assigned by the Country Director or Business Development Manager
Timeframe:
The position is a full-time position for six months (Jan 15, 2023 through July 15, 2023) based in Mercy Corps Nepal Kathmandu office with the possibility of extension.
Accountability:
Reports directly to Business Development and Strategic Communications Manager and works directly with Director of Programs, Program Managers and Team, MEL Manager and Team, Country Finance, Operations Teams and Regional and HQ Program Officers.
Required Qualification, Experience & Skills:
- Master’s Degree in relevant field (international development political science, international relations, etc.
- At least 5 years’ experience in supporting multi sectoral and multi donor funded grants including leading in proposal development and donor reporting in emergency/post conflict environment.
- Prior experience and knowledge of USG (i.e. USAID/BHA and USAID/Nepal), FCDO, EU, ECHO and other proposal processes.
- Experience facilitating the production of technical publications, including managing consultants, facilitating content organization with technical staff, engaging with data, and publishing with an externally facing design and graphic style.
- Experience with high level advocacy to institutional donors, corporate/foundation partners.
- Fluency in written and spoken English required.
- Strong communications skills with exceptional ability to articulate complex issues in a clear comprehensible manner to a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Excellent writing skills, ability to deliver high quality reports with short deadlines.
- Excellent Computer Skills.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Ability to work under immense pressure, ability to multi-task and juggle several tasks and relationships at one time.
- Excellent communication skills, experience in representing an organization
Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have an ability to work independently, take initiative in tasks and self-learning, and be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships. They will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals with strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedure. Capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to design impactful high-quality programs. Desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and as such staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics:
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Organizational Learning:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Application Deadline: Sunday 8th Jan,2022
Source: The Himalayan Times, 31 December, 2022