ABOUT OUR CLIENT

Our client empowers people worldwide with the trustworthy, high-quality news and information they need to make informed decisions, participate in their communities, and hold power to account. Our vision is to unleash human potential everywhere by turning on the bright light of information.

For more than 35 years, in more than 100 countries, they have worked to build healthy media and information environments where they are most needed. They have proudly launched hundreds of sustainable organizations, bolstered the skills of thousands of media professionals, activists, and citizens, and helped our partners reach millions of people with quality, local information.

Our client is a non-profit organisation operating internationally, with administrative centres in California, Washington DC, London and Paris as well as regional hubs in Bangkok, Kiev and Nairobi.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Programme Development Specialist, working under the supervision of the Director of Development, and working closely with the Director of Programmes, Regional Directors and Closed States Programme Director, will identify and pursue new development opportunities amongst government donors, with a particular focus on the international development sectors of democracy, rights and governance (50%), health (20%), economic empowerment (10%), humanitarian response (10%), gender (5%) and environment/climate change (5%), and their intersection with the media and information landscape in developing countries.

The position is responsible for representation with partners and donors working in these sectors, overseeing the development of Expressions of Interest, concept notes and proposals, as well as carrying out field assessments and programme design work. The position is also responsible for strategising for the refunding of existing programming in these sectors.

Working under the leadership of the Director of Development, he/she will contribute to a strategic approach to business development to ensure the organisation raises over £20m annually from public sector donors, including the European Commission, the UK, Swedish and Dutch Governments and the UN, amongst others. The Senior Programme Development Specialist will track and review Calls for Proposals, notably from the European Commission, UK, Swedish and Dutch Government and UN, amongst others, and determine strategy for applications. They will also design and write proposals, both from London and in the field.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may be assigned:

• Pro-active generation of funding leads - networking, relationship-building and representation
• Working in collaboration with others, represent our client with donors and partners
• Build partnerships with agencies, implementers and funders in Europe and elsewhere, establishing our client as a project implementer in these sectors
• Position the organisation as a possible sub-grantee/member of relevant consortia in proposal applications
• Build relationships with community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organisation

Programme/Project Strategy and Design

• Develop programming in collaboration with field missions, programme teams and the Director of Development to secure funding from centrally funded mechanisms that our client is a part of
• Review and analyse Calls for Proposals and help determine potential strategy for applications in consultation with programme staff
• Carry out field assessments in anticipation of upcoming business development opportunities
• Lead proposal design using tools to support strong programme design, including logical frameworks, worksheets and other tools as appropriate
• Lead proposal design teams in selecting win themes, identifying best practices and making key partnering decisions

Concept note/proposal development

• Leading and supervising proposal drafting teams, including review of proposals and concept notes at various stages of development
• Provide writing guides and outlines for proposals and concept notes
• Write and edit proposals following donor guidelines and in line with internal processes and standards
• planning and managing of proposal timelines to ensure quality submission in required time frames
• Lead writer and proposal manager for larger and more strategic proposals working with relevant Business Managers, Regional/Programme Directors, Country Directors and/or Programme Officers on strategy and budgeting

Staff development

• Train and coach staff as necessary in Business Development skills, in order to build a wider skill base amongst the Europe team to undertake effective external networking and representation

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 4+ years of experience in international development, governance/democracy/human rights, health, media, and/or non-profit fields – and at least 2 years of experience working abroad an asset
• At least 3+ years of solid business development and/or fundraising experience within the non-profit sector
• Proven track record of successful business development efforts - demonstrated ability to confidently represent, network and build and maintain business relationships at all levels. Proactive, entrepreneurial attitude to business development a must
• Relevant university degree required.
• Strong proposal writing and editing experience, including EC, DFID and other donor solicitations. Prior proposal work with SIDA, Dutch government and other European donors also preferred
• Preference for candidates with experience living or working in the field, either through onsite work or via short term technical assistance
• Excellent critical thinking, writing, communications skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work with different teams and in different cultures, including across time zones, and particularly using remote communication methods (e.g. Skype, Teams) and collaborative editing software (e.g. Teams, Google Docs, MS Office 365)
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, including the capacity to manage multiple, ongoing obligations and assignments to strict deadlines, whilst maintaining calm and productive working relationships during stressful proposal processes. Strong sense of humour and sense of fun a bonus.
• Passion for the role of media and increased access to information in changing lives.
• Native level written fluency in English required; French, Arabic or Spanish language skills a bonus.
• Skilled in MS Office, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Commitment to Internets’ core values and code of ethics

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.

This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must obtain the Right to Work in the UK in order to commence their employment

Recruitment Timelines: Closing Date: 22 Jul 2019