United States of America: Business Proposal & Contracts Officer

Overview

The Business Proposal/Contracts Officer is an integral part of the new business development process. Under the direction of the Director, International Business Proposal Development, the Business Proposal/Contract Officer oversees the development of cost proposals including the MSH budget, budget narrative, cost and price analysis of partner budgets, partner budget negotiations and documentation, The Business Proposal/Contracts Officer can lead the development of large and complex proposals, and also trains, mentors, assists, manages and supports the Business Proposal/Contracts Specialists on smaller proposals.

Specific Responsibilities

Cost Proposal Development and Submission (75%)

• Gather, research, analyze and document all cost assumptions for cost proposal budgets. Obtain US and international cost information, quotes and/or analyze historical costs from similar MSH projects, external vendors (as necessary), MSH finance teams (both headquarters-based and field- based) and local consultants.
• Take the lead and manage with the proposal team on strategic issues involving competitive, realistic and responsive proposal budgets. Ensure that the proposal team is educated and follow donor requirements and regulations for all cost proposals. Independently work with TSL to develop cost strategy for individual proposals for review and approval by Director, International Business Proposal Development or Senior Director - CCO.
• Manage and lead discussions with assigned subcontractors as a part of the proposal process and perform activities including: preparing Teaming Agreements, send out budget assumptions, taking the lead in negotiating budgets with a focus on cost realism and cost and price analysis, documentation for costs proposed and ensuring final submissions conform to donor requirements. Lead partnering strategy especially in regards to communication and expectation setting and develop budget formats for easy and rapid implementation

• Be the strategic partner and liaison with CGMU to keep abreast of trends with donors (approvals, restrictions, etc.) and implementation challenges. Development of templates and tools for use by CPU such as:

• i. Updated RFP stripping documents

• ii. Sub budget cost analysis

• iii. instructions for associates and budgeters for explaining donor regulations and requirement (including Reps and Certs to partners)

• Lead and develop and revise complex proposal budgets in accordance with donor requirements, while utilizing advanced Excel spreadsheet techniques.

• Manage and lead proposal budget meetings, provide costs based on proposal design inputs, and propose recommendations to the technical team to develop a competitive proposal. Independently develop resolutions budgeting and contractual issues.

• Ensuring final submissions conform to donor requirements, and provide assistance in budgeting and other donor requirements to organizations when necessary.

• Lead the review of draft and final award documents for consistency of financial data with proposal budgets and provide written and oral analysis.

Business Development (15%)

• Conduct research, analyze, and be the department resource on various donor requirements for proposal budgeting and project management.
• Create and/or modify budget spreadsheet templates to comply with donor requirements and create and/or revise new budget templates as needed for small proposals or non-U.S. donors/Foundations.
• Provide ongoing formal and informal training and mentoring to Budget Liaisons and Technical Strategy Leaders on cost proposal budgeting process, SOPs, tools and templates.
• Provide updates to the Cost Proposal Unit proposal tracking sheet. Maintain and revise (on an ongoing basis) content for the Cost Proposal Unit Training Manual.

Additional Responsibilities (10%)

• Participate in the development of CPU Office work plan.
• Attend CPU staff meetings. Prepare and present on assigned topics at the weekly CPU staff meetings.
• Perform Integrity checking of pipeline budgets as necessary.
• Lead research and compilation of information from the Internet and other sources in order to update and maintain donor regulations
• In conjunction with the CCO Office Assistant, plan and implement team building activities, such as lunches and parties.
• Contribute to the development of budget system and other innovative ideas.
• Provide other administrative support to CPU Office staff as necessary.
• Domestic and international travel as required.

Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s Degree required

EDUCATION PREFERRED:

Master’s preferred

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 6+ years of directly relevant experience with a BA or 4+ years of directly relevant experience with a MA.
• Thorough knowledge of a variety of concepts, practices, and procedures within the particular learned profession, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and general instructions is required.

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Eight years of progressively responsible experience is preferred. Experience in international public health is highly preferred.
• Experience with budgeting and knowledge of regulations and policies for non-US donors such as DFID, UN, WB, Gates, etc. preferred
• Experience working with US government rules and regulations preferred.
  .

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Strong computer skills and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets using MS-Excel.
• Advanced analytical and business modelling skills. Attention to detail is a must.
• Communicates clearly, effectively and respectfully both verbally and in writing.
• English language skills required. Foreign language (Spanish or French) preferred.
• Ability to graphically and textually depict data in order to make recommendations to management.

COMPETENCIES:

• Works effectively and contributes to productive work relationships with staff at all levels – both within a team and outside of one’s own project or work group.
• Adapts to new/unplanned situations to meet the dynamic needs of the organization.
• Customer service oriented.
• Solution-oriented, and can troubleshoot challenges as they arise. Ability to problem solve, and needs to be a team player.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Travel requirements - Ability and willingness to travel internationally as required.
• Keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers, basic office functions.

https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/9999/business-proposal-%26-contracts-officer/job