Proposal Development Coordinator At Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children International (SCI) is the world’s leading independent organization working on behalf of children. We have been operational in Iraq since 1991 and responding to the current conflict since 2014. Our programming aims to meet the needs of Syrian refugees, IDPs, host community and returnees – in both camp and out of camp settings. We adopt a full spectrum mandate: delivering on humanitarian and stabilization programmes to realise the right of all children to Survival, Learning and Protection, and contribute to building peace and strengthening cohesion in the process.

To support and drive our ambitious aspirations for children in Iraq, the Proposal Development Coordinator will serve as the primary coordinator for high quality and impactful proposal development. S/he will lead the development of efficient proposal development processes, ensuring strong consultation and input from across the Iraq Country Office, from preparation to submission. S/he will work closely with Technical Specialists in PDQ, Program Managers in Operations, Field staff across our operations, as well as staff from Risk and Compliance, Finance, Logistics, Safety & Security and HR.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Business Development Manager (PDQ).

Dimensions: Leading organised and efficient proposal development processes for high priority funding opportunities. This role requires a high performing and collaborative individual, with excellent organizational and coordination skills, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to producing high quality output. S/he will play a pivotal role in driving forward SCI’s fundraising agenda, to ensure we can sustain and grow our impact for the most vulnerable children in Iraq.

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Proposal Development
* Lead the coordination of proposal development proposes, ensuring smooth information sharing between technical and operational team members, to deliver exceptionally high quality proposal submissions.
* Prepare Opportunity Decision Guides in advance of “Go/No-Go” meetings, and contribute expertise and insights to promote considered and well justified decisions are made concerning new funding opportunities.
* In collaboration with international SC Member Offices and SCI Iraq staff, broker technical assistance and other resources to support proposal development, and play an active, flexible role on proposal development teams.
* Prepare plans for proposal development processes and mobilise teams to support the development of funding submissions – from simple project outlines and expressions of interest, to concise but structured complex notes, through to in-depth technical proposals involving complex design and coordination.
* Drive interdepartmental coordination for project design with PDQ, advocacy, programme operations (for field team inputs, logistics requirements, costings etc), security, finance and HR (for staffing requirements).
* Draft and refine key sections of proposals that are standard (e.g. capability statements, country context and programme experience) while drawing on the technical or unique expertise of others.
* Serve as lead writer for competitive bids, consult and agree workload with Business Development Manager.
* Coordinate iterative proposal costing and budget development with Finance Managers, Technical Specialists, Operations and Field Teams, to ensure all proposals are compliant with donor guidelines and offer Value for Money, while ensuring support cost coverage and achievable/impactful project within submitted budgets.
* Ensure proposal narrative, activities, detailed budget and budget narrative are accurate and fully coherent.
* Ensure SCI’s Theory of Change (ToC) is addressed and included in all new proposals and that key elements of programme quality are included (e.g. child safeguarding, child participation, gender inclusion, localization and partnerships, lessons learned from past proposals, accountability and risk).
* Ensure timely and compliant reviews of all proposal submissions by SCI staff in Iraq, Middle East Regional Office, and international Member Offices, per internal guidelines and financial delegations.

Fundraising and Business Development
* Alongside Business Development Manager and Senior Management Team (SMT), represent SCI as a generalist in meetings and consultations with partners (local, national and international), donors and other actors.
* Support Business Development Manager to seek, track and assess donor intelligence on prospective new opportunities or partnerships: particularly for high value, high priority, multi-year funding opportunities.
* Work closely with Business Development Manager, PDQ Director and Technical Specialists to understand sector strategies priorities and country strategy plans and how to align this with donor strategies.
* Work with Technical Specialists to develop capacity statements and thematic sectoral briefs. Produce other information and communications products for both internal and external audiences as required.
* Regularly update the opportunity (NBD) tracker
* Coordinate with Awards Management team to ensure accurate proposal information is captured and regularly updated in SCI’s Awards Management System, informing planning and fundraising prioritisation.
* Share experiences and contribute to a culture of continuous learning, development and capacity building, both in Iraq and through wider organisational avenues (e.g. Middle East New Business Development group).
* Hold lessons-learnt workshops for successful and non-successful proposals to identify success/pain points and work on suggestions for improvement.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
* Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
* Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
* Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
* Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
* Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
* Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
* Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
* Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
* Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
* Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
* Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
* A minimum of 3 years demonstrated experience in an NGO or similar environment, ideally with experience developing programs for children in both emergency and development contexts.
* Preferred undergraduate (Bachelor) degree in development studies or a related field. In lieu of a degree, applicants should be able to demonstrate an ability to engage with complex and evolving issues; utilise strong analytical and critical thinking skills; present compelling evidence-based arguments; and deliver high quality and technically written work in tight timeframes.
* Experience in more than one of the Save the Children priority sectors (e.g Education, Child Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) in development or emergencies.
* Practical experience and successful track record in writing and leading proposals for a variety of institutional (e.g BHA, FCDO, ECHO, SIDA, BMZ, DFAT, GAC, USAID etc.) and non-institutional (e.g. corporates, trusts, philanthropic) donors.
* Excellent personal organisational skills including time management, the ability to set and meet deadlines and work under pressure, and ability to adapt and respond to unexpected changes in schedules and timeframes.
* Good knowledge of current political, social, economic and humanitarian affairs in Iraq.
* Awareness of the landscape of implementing partners and government structures in Iraq or the Middle East.
* Familiarity of the proposal development process, project design methods and tools (including assessments, logical frameworks, and work planning) and strong appreciation for innovation and partnership as part of project development.
* Proven ability to positively influence cross-departmental and cross-sector working.
* Experience in developing and working with project budgets.
* Ability to work within a multicultural setting with a highly diverse team.
* Fluency in written and spoken English, with exceptionally strong writing skills.
* Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
* Information Communication Technology literate.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
* No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
* All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
* Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.