Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities – our counterparts – to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.
For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website atwww.Counterpart.org
Summary:
A member of the New Business Development team, the Business Development Officer will coordinate and support Counterpart’s new business development to: (1) build on Counterpart’s program successes with innovative new program initiatives while remaining true to our vision, mission, and values; (2) make the broadest and richest impact on project beneficiaries by ensuring effective, realistic program design; and (3) institutionalize best practices, lessons learned, and successes in the program development process. All of the above will focus on agriculture and food security sector development, within the framework of the organization’s two primary practice areas: governance and civil society strengthening and community resiliency and development. The Officer will identify new business opportunities, and coordinate and support proposal development activities, including developing agendas, arranging and facilitating meetings, identifying action items, and ensuring proposal team members follow-up on tasks. The Business Development Officer also supports the editing and finalization of key proposal deliverables. This position is located at Counterpart International in Arlington, VA, and reports to the Senior Manager, New Business Development.
Duties and Responsibilities:
In close collaboration with the Senior Manager, the Business Development Officer will:
· Write and edit capacity and past performance statements, management plans, staffing plans, and other sections of technical proposals, including annexes.
· Conduct desk studies and research related to program and proposal development in the agriculture and food security sector, to build technical expertise and inform program design and business growth strategy.
· Lead and manage coordination for all agriculture and food security proposals: assist with mobilization and support of proposal teams, develop proposal development calendars and checklists, schedule proposal reviews and other meetings, track progress against timeline, draft partner agreements and manage partner deliverables, prepare consultant contracts and manage consultants, arrange assessment team travel and visas, etc.
· Assist with recruitment with for consultants, proposal staffing, partner organizations, and other personnel pertinent to the preparation of proposals, interviewing potential staff and preparing resumes.
· Schedule and participate in proposal review sessions, and provide constructive feedback on program design and budget.
· Serve as point of contact with international and local partners to ensure timely deliverables (teaming agreements, technical inputs, capacity statements, key personnel CVs, etc.) in accordance with proposal calendar.
· Work with technical writers and costing/pricing team to support cost proposals.
· Oversee production, packaging, and delivery of proposals.
· Participate in external marketing efforts, including the production of marketing materials; represent Counterpart to external stakeholders including current and potential donor and partner organizations.
· Provide administrative and programmatic support to current Counterpart programs, as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· Graduate degree or relevant, commensurate experience in Agriculture, International Development, Business, or other relevant field;
· Minimum of five years of relevant experience, including working with donor agencies (USDA, USAID, US Department of State, World Bank, Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, United Kingdom Department for International Development, or similar) and international development organizations;
· Understanding of USDA and/or USAID agriculture and food security sector funding mechanisms (such as Food for Progress, Food for Education, Food for Peace, Feed the Future, etc.) demonstrated by at least one year of successful management of proposals or projects in these areas;
· Understanding of agriculture sector concepts and trends, including the clients and the organizations that work in this area.
· At least one year experience with business development for US government opportunities;
· Experience with proposal development and program design;
· Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills;
· Self-motivated and self-directed;
· Thorough computer software skills, namely the MS Office Suite of programs;
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills (writing sample required);
- Attention to detail;
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize;
· Willingness to travel internationally;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· Field experience working with development programs;
· Previous experience with program implementation, program management, and/or monitoring and evaluation;
· Experience using Salesforce or similar system for business development, including for tracking opportunities and submissions;
- Language skills in French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian.
Please apply online atwww.Counterpart.org**. No calls or emails please.**
Counterpart is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply.
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