Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. In more than 40+ countries around the world, over 5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. We’re committed to creating global change through local impact — 84% of our team members are from the countries where they work.
We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, addressing problems from multiple angles. And we go beyond emergency aid, partnering with local governments, forward-thinking corporations, social entrepreneurs, and people living in fragile communities to develop bold solutions that make lasting change possible.
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps’ East and Southern Africa (ESA) Region has grown significantly over the past decade. With Mercy Corps’ continued focus on the 3 I’s – Impact, Influence and Innovation – the team has identified the need to effectively respond to New Business opportunities. Currently, Mercy Corps’ New Initiatives team focuses on:
1. Highly strategic submissions, particularly (though not exclusively) to institutional donors and
2. Initiatives that enhance overall agency proposal processes and competitiveness. Team members are tasked to provide additional “person power” on specific, high priority efforts by assisting with all or some of the following: assembling a proposal team; executing team planning; undertaking on-site participatory assessment and design work; extensive writing; providing high-quality reviews and edits; and more
Examples of the types of strategic, agency-wide initiatives that the team has supported include: preparation and promotion of a proposal tool kit for improved planning; maintenance of a roster of proposal consultants; and organization of action reviews of proposals. With all of its activities, New Initiatives works in a highly collaborative manner with the agency as a whole, particularly the program operations team and country teams.
The Regional Business Development Senior Advisor will be a member of the regional team, reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, Programs and working alongside the regional team to support business development needs for the country offices within the region as well as the region itself. The Regional Business Development Senior Advisor will work closely with the ESA Regional team to provide strategic direction and determine priorities, as well as the global Business Development and Institutional Donor Engagement teams on regional and agency-wide initiatives.
Their primary focus will be on program development, including: 1) tracking the pipeline of potential new business opportunities for the region and supporting the Regional Director (RD), Deputy Regional Director-Programs (DRDP) and Country Directors (CDs) in prioritizing and preparing to pursue them;
2) leading and/or supporting program development efforts throughout the region;
3) helping to enhance the overall state of practice vis-à-vis proposal processes within the region;
4) supporting the region and country teams with donor relations, as needed, with a particular emphasis on helping to diversify the agency’s funding base in the region; and
5) contributing to strategic regional discussions and initiatives, and other strategic aspects as relevant. In addition, s/he will be responsible for helping implement various other activities within region that are part of the Business Development work plan.
Supervisory Responsibility
Budget Management Responsibility
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM/PROPOSAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Lead proposal development for: 1) small, medium, and mid-level proposal opportunities; 2) emergency and humanitarian proposal opportunities (generally smaller value but frequent); and 3) support work on larger strategic proposals including for complex programs, multi-country opportunities and/or contracts in partnership with the Business Development team.
Ensure that proposal teams are well structured and staffed, particularly for larger strategic proposals but not only, including identification of both Technical Leads and Lead Writers in a timely manner and in coordination with Global BD and Technical teams.
STRATEGIC PRE-POSITIONING
Evaluate the performance of Mercy Corps’ portfolio in the region, including trends, risks, and opportunities for expansion of engagement with donors
Contribute to activities that raise overall agency state of practice and enable Mercy Corps to produce competitive submissions more efficiently, such as: developing improved reference materials for proposal writers, contributing to efforts that capture learnings and results from our programs, and/or assisting with networking activities.
Keep up to date on relevant donor strategies being developed or applied by significant governmental, academic, and non-profit groups, in coordination with RPT and country teams.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong representation and relationship-building skills including professional representation (e.g. donors, partner agencies, host governments, etc.)
Required Education and Experience
BA/BS or equivalent in international development, political or social science, public administration, business management, required; and MA preferred.
Demonstrated proficiency and experience with US Government (USAID, USDS, USDA), European (UK, EU, ECHO), multilateral and other institutional and private donors, government grant and financial management requirements.
Experience developing and strong understanding of budget and cost proposal submissions, and personnel and staffing requirements for USAID, OFDA, EU (ECHO and DEVCO) and other institutional donor proposals.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and it requires up to 30% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]) This position is no longer open.