Business Development Specialist

PACT Overview

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Public Business Development (PUBD) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Public Business Development team contributes to realizing this purpose by overseeing Pact’s new business development activities. Every member of the Public Business Development team at Pact is committed to sharing in the success of the organization, its peers, and individual accomplishments. The Public Business Development team is managed through a matrixed structure that promotes winning proposals through collaboration. The team offers team members, both experienced and new professionals, opportunities for learning and professional development. Ideal candidates bring positive energy to this dynamic work environment.

Position Overview

The Business Development Specialist works with a wide range of Pact staff and teams worldwide – including, but not limited to, program management professionals, technical experts, finance staff, key operational units, and country offices – to help the organization secure new funding to support its work. Responsibilities include supporting all stages of project capture, from intelligence gathering through proposal development, including supporting proposal managers in the management of bids; analyzing and communicating information related to business development; supporting departmental and organizational processes; and providing logistical and administrative support as needed. Ideal candidates blend the strategic, analytical thinking needed to craft a winning proposal with the tactical skills needed to address the day-to-day details of proposal management. Some international travel may be expected; length of travel will range from 1-3 weeks at a time. The Business Development Specialist reports to a Business Development Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-positioning and Partnership Development
• Track, assess, and share information about priority donors’ business forecasts, pre-solicitations, funding strategies, proposal guidelines, and notices of funding opportunities
• Conduct research on upcoming opportunities and participate in pre-positioning efforts for identified bids. This may include planning for and participating in scoping trips, gathering background materials and information packets, conducting competitor analysis, supporting recruitment activities, and coordinating travel and meeting schedules
• Prepare teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other institutional agreements with partners

Proposal Management and Development
• Facilitate the bid review process, including summarizing donor solicitations to inform pursuit decisions
• Coordinate responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) and support management of concept papers and proposals, with oversight from proposal manager, ensuring that proposals meet funder requirements and deadlines as well as Pact’s quality standards
• Contribute to proposal design, such as assisting with development of theories of change and win themes
• Draft past performance references, corporate capabilities, key personnel CVs, and other proposal sections as assigned
• Collaborate with Pricing team to review budgets and budget narratives as needed

Resource Development and Knowledge Management
• Gather tools, templates, and other materials to support business development processes and procedures, as well as share information, skills, and learning with other members of the team
• Maintain accurate information about business development opportunities in internal databases (Salesforce) and assist with analysis of proposal development data; maintain accurate and timely electronic files; and ensure that relevant information is accessible to and circulated to the portfolio members

Strategy and Thought Leadership
• Support BD managers to implement business development strategy and reach annual targets in collaboration with relevant stakeholders (regional directors, country offices, technical experts, etc.)
• Attend conferences and other industry events to track and share relevant trends

Basic Requirements

• Master's degree with three (3) years work experience or bachelor's degree with at least five (5+) years work experience
• Experience supporting proposal development
• Knowledge of USG donor, including USAID and U.S. Department of State, rules and regulations
• Strong planning and time management skills and the ability to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills
• Ability to problem-solve difficult issues
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate and maintain professional relationships with internal colleagues and contacts in donor and peer organizations
• Facility with common desktop applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience in international development in an overseas setting
• Experience in one of Pact’s technical areas or a related support function (global health; governance; capacity development; livelihoods; environment; energy; and responsible mining)
• Working knowledge and understanding of international development donor policies and regulations
• Experience working with Salesforce or a similar system
• Proficiency in French