Catholic Relief Services Job for a Business Development Specialist in Abuja

Dept. /Location: CARO/Nigeria/Based in Abuja
Position Type: Full-Time
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Country Representative

****ABOUT CRS:****
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

****BACKGROUND:**** 

Catholic Relief Services came to Nigeria in 1960 to provide humanitarian assistance in collaboration with the Catholic Church. Along with many other NGOs, CRS was forced to leave the country in 1970 during the Biafran War. In the late 1990s, CRS implemented outreach projects in Nigeria through the Catholic Church, and in 1999, CRS opened an office in Nigeria, primarily to support peace and justice efforts. In 2001, CRS launched a response to HIV and AIDS in four dioceses of Nigeria. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief greatly expanded the size of the country program work in 2004.

CRS Nigeria has since been expanding its portfolio across sector and geographic areas. Nigeria was identified as a priority country within CRS for business development, based on the many opportunities and the great need with over 100 million people surviving on less than $1.25 per day.

****PRIMARY FUNCTION:****

The Business Development Specialist will support the agency’s positioning for and pursuit of institutional donor resources, with an emphasis on competitive funding mechanisms. S/he will provide business development expertise and leadership to cross-discipline and cross-functional teams in the development of proposals to ensure the highest quality standards and competitiveness. S/he will contribute to and support internal learning processes that improve CRS’ business development practice, enhance the agency’s value propositions, and leverage innovative, evidence-based results into new revenue and programming.

****SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:**** 

• • Research, track and analyze new business opportunities, competitive intelligence, and CRS’ competitive positioning within the marketplace.
• • Maintain accurate business pipeline and performance data through CRS’ online system to inform executive and senior management decisions.
• • Work with senior managers and advisors to develop effective fundraising strategies involving donor research and intelligence, product development, marketing, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• • Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, in order to provide timely information for proposal submissions worldwide.
• • Contribute to, disseminate, and model the use of standardized business development processes and resources (training/capacity-building materials, guidelines, tools and templates, and online information).
• • Lead and contribute to agency learning, through analysis of proposal successes and failures, analysis of CRS competitiveness and the funding environment, and active participation in CRS’ global BD community of practice.
• • Support senior management’s cultivation and strengthening of institutional relationships with donors, partner organizations, and other collaborators in the international relief/development arena.
• • Provide BD expertise in positioning, capture planning and proposal preparation for specific opportunities. As appropriate, serve as proposal coordinator or other lead role in proposal team, and participate in bid analysis and proposal review panels.
• • Coordinate processes and mentor staff to ensure timely submission of high quality proposals that are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and CRS’ technical and cost standards.
• • Support and guide the identification of partners and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership principles and strategic directions.
• • Assist the Program Quality department with guidance on high-quality project start-up and close-out, including development of relevant GANTT charts and tracking of timelines.

****AGENCY-WIDE COMPETENCIES (for all CRS Staff):**** 

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

****SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:**** None

****KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:****

INTERNAL: Country Program staff; regional office staff; relevant HQ departments, and global BD community.

EXTERNAL: Business development officials of collaborating partner organizations; select donor representatives as appropriate.

****QUALIFICATIONS:**** 

• • Master’s Degree in Development, International Relations, or relevant field preferred; equivalent experience acceptable.
• • Minimum 5 years of international development experience, including at least 2 years in a developing country.
• • Exceptional writing ability.
• • Strong analytical skills.
• • Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles, a plus.
• • Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet) required, experience with Access or other data base programs is a plus.
• • Ability and willingness to travel within the DRC as needed, up to 40% of job time.
• • Fluency in English and working ability in French required. French fluency preferred.
• • Demonstrated experience leading and producing competitive proposals in programming contexts similar to CRS required. Comprehensive familiarity with technical and cost application requirements of USAID RFAs required. Experience with USAID RFPs and with non-USAID and non-USG donors and funding mechanisms highly desirable.
• • Familiarity with relevant federal regulations and with the agency-specific policies, procedures and priorities of USAID and the United Nations.
• • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and negotiation skills.
• • Demonstrated experience managing people and processes, leading teams to produce deliverables under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.

****PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:**** 

• Experience and proven track record of successful proposal development with USG and other donor agencies
• Listening, mediation, and facilitation skills
• Sound judgment, assertiveness, and commitment to the Agency’s mission
• Self-motivated, with the ability to motivate others and coordinate a large amount of activity
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Knowledge of CRS program quality standards, partnership principles and Catholic Social Teaching principles is preferred.

****Disclaimer:****

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

****CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.****

NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.