United States of America: Business Development Specialist

Overview

The Business Development Specialist will work as part of a high-performing team to ensure that MSH consistently delivers at or above long-term revenue goals. The Business Development Specialist supports all aspects of new business acquisition at MSH through three key functions: (1) working with the Proposal Manager, other members of the BDP team, and the Technical Strategy Lead to ensure that final proposals are responsive to the needs of the client, reflect the technical approach of MSH, and are professionally produced; (2) managing selected small proposals to public and private funders, contributing to a highly competitive win rate; and (3) assisting in activities to develop the capacity of MSH staff in areas related to business development.

Specific Responsibilities

Management of Selected Small Proposals (65%)

• Working closely with the Proposal Manager or Senior Business Development Specialist, support development of competitive proposals, including win strategy, partner strategy, and cost strategy.
• Monitor and ensure the responsiveness and compliance of proposals to the requirements of solicitations.
• Develop, oversee, and maintain the proposal calendar, and monitor adherence to the defined process and deadlines for technical proposals, rosters/recruiting, proposal budgets, production schedules, and quality standards for proposals. Work with the other team members to resolve issues with delays or other roadblocks in the proposal process.
• Coordinate team communications through meetings and email, and continuously clarify the roles and responsibilities of team members.
• Collect and track proposal-related information, and disseminate information to team members.
• Support the Proposal Manager and Technical Strategy Lead in identifying potential partners and defining their scopes of work and negotiations of pre-teaming and teaming agreements.
• Work with proposed partners to be sure that they provide their required information as needed to support the proposal, and that they have a positive experience working with MSH.
• Assist the Proposal Manager in coordinating with Cost Proposal Unit staff to develop best-value cost strategies and ensure a unified strategy in the technical cost proposals.
• Coordinate with human resources staff to monitor recruitment efforts to meet staffing priorities.
• Close out proposals after submission by organizing electronic proposal documents according to BDP procedures, coordinating after-action reviews, and updating proposal-related materials in BDP file systems.

Writing of Parts of Proposals, Applications, Expressions of Interest, and other Procurement Documents (10%)

• Drafting: Draft sections of proposals, writing concisely and correctly, as requested by the Proposal Manager, Senior Business Development Specialist, or Principal Writer, which may include capabilities statements, past performance sections, and annexes.
• Capability statements: Work with proposal teams to ensure that the institutional capability statements and past performance narratives of MSH and partners are relevant to the technical proposal.
• Research: Contribute to identifying and reviewing high-quality background materials (from credible, authoritative, current sources with documentation) to use in writing technical proposals or to provide to other team members.
• Coordination: Coordinate with other team members to meet all deadlines for proposal drafts and proposal submissions.

Development of Graphics and Assistance in Creation of Technical Strategies (10%)

• Actively participate in strategy sessions to help to develop the technical approach and strategies, and identify win themes.
• Work with the Technical Strategy Lead and proposal writer to help develop high-quality, compelling graphic portrayals of key concepts and strategies.
• Make sure that graphics use consistent fonts, colors, and styles.
• Create customized maps and locate appropriate photos for proposals.

Production of Proposals and Other Materials (10%)

• Manage production of proposals, ensuring their quality through the use of standard templates and job aids.
• Check that technical proposals are compliant, internally consistent, and appropriately address all procurement requirements.
• Submit all proposals on time in the required file formats.
• Support production of BDP reports, fact sheets, training materials, etc.

Proposal Editing (3%)

• Edit selected proposals efficiently in accordance with the standards of the Business Development and Partnerships unit.

Capacity Building (2%)

• Build the capacity of other staff in production of proposals and other areas.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, health sciences, international development, or related field.

Experience:

• 3 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 2 years working as part of a team to develop, manage, and produce proposals, reports, or other documents in a professional setting.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Word, and proven ability to lay out and format complex documents.
• Skills in developing and designing presentations in PowerPoint, including messaging.
• Skills in using Adobe programs to design graphics that communicate complex concepts effectively.
• Ability to conduct research efficiently to identify or check information.
• Strong editing skills.
• Skills in persuasive writing and the ability to present technical ideas in a concise ways that is relatively free of jargon.
• Familiarity of issues related to international development, public health, the social sector, or the social sciences desired.
• Experience traveling and/or living and working in a developing country preferred.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish or French a plus.

Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to handle the high stress environment of business development with diplomacy and a sense of humor.
• Ability to initiate and organize work, think critically, establish priorities and make decisions in a time-sensitive environment, and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Demonstrated good judgment and ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and work proactively.

Physical Demands:

• Keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers <10 lbs.
• Ability to travel internationally and domestically approximately 10% of the time and on short notice.

https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/10878/business-development-specialist/job