Grant Acquisition Manager At Cordaid

Reference number: Rec/ 046 /22

Closing Date: 04-May-22 Location: Addis Ababa

Employment Type: Regular – Fixed term Salary: As per the organization scale Introduction

CORDAID is a Dutch, international non-governmental organization which combines 100 years of experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. CORDAID believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion tear up societies, we connect people and communities. We also stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders, to make a difference where it is most needed. Together with more than 600 partner organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations – the bottom billion.

Purpose of the position/Job’s aim

The Grant Acquisition Manager will support Cordaid Ethiopia Country Office to strategically position itself, creating effective partnerships, analyzing and defining added value/ and transforming opportunities in concrete project proposals linking Cordaid thematic strategies and approaches to institutional donor requirements. Identifying trends and developments and the process of developing and writing high- quality project proposals and publishing materials, highlighting Cordaid’s achievements with Global Office and Cordaid Ethiopia thematic staff.

Responsibilities and Accountability Business Development & Grant Acquisition

· Identify funding opportunities and oversee development of effective grant project designs and proposals for submission to donors.

· Develop profiles of the generated leads and share with the appropriate people in the country office for joint follow up.

· Serve as proposal coordinator for high value proposals to ensure development of high-quality concept notes and proposals.

· Coordinate and lead the process of proposal development, bid management and writing high- quality project proposals and this include conducting research for anticipated opportunities, developing draft proposal sections, developing track record references to ensure high-quality proposals that meet the requirements of the donors.

· Monitor the competitive landscape, assess and test new approaches, conduct regular in-country donor strategy analysis and risk assessments, and update the Cordaid Ethiopia’s funding strategy.

· Lead in the development of capacity statement and track records.

· Advise program staff and program coalitions on suitable financing modalities.

· Build organizational understanding of new donors and contribute information for prioritization of emerging donors through research and external relationships.

· Ensure the oversight and management of the organizational pipeline opportunity system and account related database for the country office. Conceptualise with the team and design proposal for new project activities, amendments and extensions to current projects.

· Manage the entire process of the proposal development lifecycle. Identify proposal teams, outline roles and responsibilities of each team member and ensure that a complete, high-quality proposal is submitted on time.

· Ensure the pre-positioning of new opportunities, manage live proposal, coordinate and submit responses to questions, coordinate after-action internal reviews and gather feedback from donors on submitted proposals and action on the reviews and feedbacks respective, thereafter, support the handover to program managers.

· Negotiate and coordinate teaming agreements, memorandum of understanding and other relevant agreements with donors and potential implementing partners.

· Continuously document lessons & best practices of the country office fundraising efforts.

Donor Engagement

· Lead on development and implementation of a Donor Relationship Management Plan (DRMP) for each donor ensure to outline the required action points and timeline to achieve donor-specific goals. Identify and express Cordaid value proposition(s) for each donor.

· Build active relationships with potential donors, allies/partners. Ensure donor intelligence and community priorities/needs, create opportunities and position Cordaid for funding opportunities.

· Engage donors at strategic level on funding opportunities. Create and maintain a link and a strong bond between the donors and Cordaid and ensure the participation of technical and program teams in donor engagement fora (s).

· Identify new feasible models of partnerships.

· Ensure donor reporting, compliance standards and requirements are communicated to relevant thematic leads promptly. Attend to queries and address them timely.

· In liaison with the Country Director(s), facilitate the development of country specific Strategic Plans and Annual Reports to be shared with potential donors and government agencies.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

1. Master’s Degree in International Development, Business Development or related Social Science.
2. Good understanding of donor compliance and reporting mechanisms (in particular DFID, EU, World Bank and USAID) is an advantage.
3. 5 -7 years of experience in international development and demonstrate a level of responsibility and accountability.
4. Proven experience in organization strategic positioning, fundraising and acquisition of awards
5. Successful track record of program development; proven and sustained success in raising restricted funds donors.
6. Experience in coordinating and writing high value proposals to prioritized donors, editing office communication products and other professional materials.
7. Experience in managing, negotiating and resolving highly complex tasks, awards and award- related issues in an effective manner.

Competences

1. Ability to cultivate and maintain professional donor and stakeholder relationships.
2. Ability to meet competing priorities, demanding deadlines and work under pressure.
3. Has strong writing, networking, marketing, facilitation, presentation, negotiation, conflict resolution and coordination skills.
4. Has strong planning and time management skills, multi-task & adapt to frequent changing priorities.
5. Has strong analytical skills and in depth understanding of strategies (ability to link donor priorities and Cordaid strategy)
6. Flexibility to travel (travelling at least 70% of time)