DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the USA, the UK, the EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine, and project operations worldwide. DAI tackles fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability: it works on the frontlines of global development, transforming ideas into action-action into impact. DAI is committed to shaping a more liveable world.

DAI is seeking a Principal Specialist /Senior Project Manager to join our Sustainable Business Group (SBG) Team. SBG is a specialized unit that leads DAI’s engagements with clients in the private sector. Our team advises companies on how to optimize their local supply base and labour force, demonstrate their long-term commitment to the country’s development, and become a trusted partner for government through initiatives in local content and corporate social investment. Technical focus areas include economic and policy analysis, supplier development, youth empowerment, education, SME development, entrepreneurship and innovation, corporate social investments and strategy/policy development and environmental sustainability.

The Principal Specialist will be responsible for winning and implementing new projects and will serve as a technical lead on projects, managing teams and clients to ensure successful implementation. They will also contribute to developing new client leads and opportunities for product development and thought leadership. They will demonstrate strong team management by helping to build the skills of more junior team members who both directly report to them and those with whom they collaborate.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Program Delivery 70%

· Lead or support technical teams and projects in line with SBG’s strategy.

· Manage project budgets, teams and schedule according to business unit targets and agreed upon work plan.

· Serve as Project Director, Manager, Team Leader or Technical Specialist on specific assignments, providing technical quality assurance and oversight to team members as required.

· Manage client relationships and ensure quality and timely delivery to satisfaction of client.

· Manage and mentor staff on project delivery and technical skills development.

New Business and Sales 25%

· Lead or support new business sales through client engagement, networking, preparation of concept notes and proposals, and business development functions.

· Identify and cultivate relationships with clients and potential clients.

· Generate and help secure new contracts for key target clients.

· Lead or support business development trips to help develop robust pipeline of new business opportunities including reconnaissance for existing large opportunities.

· Write and/or manage proposals.

· Lead or contribute to SBG or cross-DAI business development or process improvement initiatives.

Product development and Strategy 5%

· Support the development and refinement of SBG’s strategy through continual evaluation of client needs, industry trends, and competitive advantages. Lead or support particular areas of strategy development, including action plans to execute strategy.

· Develop thought leadership pieces (i.e. briefs, blog posts, email distribution pieces) to build DAI SBG brand recognition, develop new client interactions, and demonstrate SBG thought leadership in the industry

· Lead other eminence building activities such as speaking at conferences and webinars.

· Support the creation of new products (approaches, methodologies, tools) in line with SBG strategy.

This job description details the key elements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Job roles evolve over time and jobholders may be required to complete additional tasks in line with business needs.

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

· A relevant degree, plus extensive proven professional related experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

· Demonstrated knowledge of areas relevant to SBG’s portfolio, including industrial baseline studies; local content; supplier management; economic impacts of the oil and gas or renewables sector; corporate sustainability, social investment and performance, entrepreneurship, and economic development and community benefits.

· Demonstrated experience leading, designing, and evaluating projects.

· Experience consulting for the private sector and/or experience working in relevant industry.

· Experience managing budgets and project teams.

· International experience.

· Excellent writing and communication skills.

· Able to build and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.

· Able and willing to travel at least 30% domestically and internationally to any country where DAI currently operates or may wish to operate barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.

· Able and willing to adjust work schedule, if needed, to support teams located in different time zones/countries.

· Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams, create inclusive work environments, and work effectively within a culturally diverse environment.

· Authorized to work in the United Kingdom without sponsorship.

Desirable

· Professional working fluency in a second language.

· Analytical or procurement experience within a large corporation in areas such as pricing or cost estimation or responsible sourcing.

· Experience in a technical field, such as private sector/enterprise development, economic growth, quantitative and qualitative analysis, value chain/supply chain, and/or the energy or resource industries.

· Experience supervising and mentoring more junior staff.