MANAGER, COST PROPOSALS At CARE USA

Description:

The Cost Proposal Manager (CPM) reports to the Director for Business and Cost Proposal Management of the Institutional Funding & Strategy (IFS) unit of CARE USA. As an integral member, s/he will lead and package the cost and pricing proposals in the pursuit of new business with the US Government and other institutional donors estimated at $650m annually.

This individual works on multiple teams with simultaneous deadlines and collaborates with proposal response teams and CARE’s external teaming partners while ensuring that CARE’s costs are fully recovered in budgets, remain competitive, and meet donor and CARE requirements. The CPM shall support complex and major cost and pricing proposals for opportunities valued at $30m to $50m or higher. As SPCS, s/he possesses the requisite cost and pricing technical and communication skills, models effective coordination and leadership of the cost proposal teams, and a strong champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The CPM also supervises and builds the capacity of Cost Proposal Specialist/s to ensure effective and business practices and standards are consistently applied in determining the essential cost elements for each proposal submission in relation to the donor’s requirements and regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for contracts and OMB Circulars and CFR’s for grants and cooperative agreements, as well as the applicable Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and CARE cost recovery policies. The position holder also plays a key role in collaborating across functions within IFS and other key stakeholders (legal, compliance, finance, etc.) to address proposal risks, compliance and competitiveness concerns.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cost and Pricing Lead (75%)

• Provides technical advisory and assistance to Country Offices and HQ proposal teams and independently leads the preparation and consolidation of the cost and pricing proposal on major and complex USG and non-USG institutional opportunities. In this role, s/he (1) Ensures that the required cost/pricing proposals and supporting documents are prepared timely, accurately and compliant with solicitations; (2) Oversees the preparation of line item budgets as well as supporting documentation for cost proposal submissions, including budget narratives, certifications, financial information, etc.; (3) Negotiates budgetary items with partners in coordination and with the guidance from proposal technical lead/s and Senior Manager of Cost Proposal Management; (4) Presides over the cost and pricing proposal reviews prior to the finalization and packaging for submission; (5) Responds to issues letters and oversees the negotiation of the budgets during pre-award phase; (6) Contributes to the hand-over and startup planning of new awards; as well as (7) Actively participates in the After Action Review (AAR) to ensure key lessons learned are noted to pave the way for continuous process improvement.

Management of proposal risks, compliance and competitiveness concerns (5%)

• Stays updated in donor regulations, industry best practices, as well as CARE policies. Collaborates with the CARE USA Legal department, CARE USA Award Management Solutions, and other key stakeholders to identify and address proposal risks, donor compliance issues or concerns that relate or impact the competitiveness of the cost and pricing proposal. Assist the Director for Business and Cost Proposal Management in advocating for improvements in the USG regulatory environment, CARE processes as well as CARE cost recovery policies.

Staff Management (15%)

• Manages the Cost Proposal Specialist/s (CPS) and coordinates with the Senior Cost Proposal Manager in providing effective leadership in delivering quality cost and pricing support to proposal teams. Models and cascades the best practices in the effective conduct of the cost and pricing lead tasks and responsibilities. To adhere to IFS quality cost and pricing application standards, s/he shadows and/or coaches CPS in the (1) determination of donor cost requirements and applicable regulations, (2) effective tools and methods in ensuring budget is consistent with the solicitation requirements and technical design, (3) packaging of competitive and donor compliant cost and pricing proposals, (4) completing senior management level reviews and approvals prior to submission; and (5) supporting pre-award negotiations with the donors. S/he also actively advocates for work-life balance of staff, supports professional development, and upholds the CARE diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

Other ( 5%)

• Support and/or provide backup for the Senior Cost Proposal Manager and/or Director for Business and Cost Proposal Management during surge season and/or PTO.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Public/Business Administration or related field
• 4 years of grant/contract experience
• 5 years of budget development experience
• 5 years of financial analytical experience and proven skills
• 3 years of experience coordinating proposal development activities
• 2 years of managing direct reports/staff
• communicating technical information to non-technical audience
• providing guidance and technical expertise