JOB: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Partners for Democratic Change

                 Overview of Organization

Partners for Democratic Change (Partners) is a global non-governmental organization committed to building democratic institutions and strengthening civil society worldwide. Since 1989, Partners has provided communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperative planning competency to thousands of civic, NGO, municipal and national government leaders in over 50 countries.  Partners has established a network of locally staffed and managed Centers that work on change and conflict management in 19 countries including Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Georgia, Hungary, Jordan, Kosovo, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovakia, Serbia and Yemen.    Each Center within this network (Partners for Democratic Change International or PDCI) is established as an independent in-country NGO managed by an in-country board of Directors and staff. PDCI is a network with a high reputation for undertaking cutting edge work. We have many highly committed, professional staff within the network with specialized skills who are working to bring about lasting positive change in their communities. Partners for Democratic Change based in Washington is one of two hubs that provides support to the Centers. Although the bulk of the work will be business development for Partners programs managed out of Washington DC, this person will also interface with and support the Brussels team on EU business development.

Partners has also developed a successful portfolio of programs across LAC, MENA, Africa and Europe. Our current funding comes from diverse sources within the US government and includes USAID, the Bureau of CMM, State Department (MEPI, INL and DRL). We currently have large regional programs focused on accountability and transparency, natural resource conflicts and democracy activism. Together, Partners, and our affiliate Centers employ over 250 staff worldwide, deploy over 100 trainers and practitioners, and work in over 40 countries.

Our Mission is to work through a global network to support local leaders and create partnerships that transform conflict, strengthen democratic institutions, and achieve sustainable development.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.partnersglobal.org

Position Description: Partners is looking for a well-organized, enthusiastic, energetic self-starter who is ready to take on the challenge of helping Partners continue to grow its portfolio of programs, both here in Washington DC and across the Network. We are seeking a full-time Manager who is committed to our Mission and working with the Chief Operating Officer and the program teams on business development and fundraising. We are a very friendly staff of talented and committed professionals. You would be joining an exciting organization on an upward trajectory, well-respected by its peers and donors and known around the world for effective programming and our unique approach to sustainable impact investing of developing autonomous, self-financing, independent affiliate Centers.  

Position Title: Business Development Manager

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

 Position Overview:

 I. Partners seeks candidate to:

•  Take the lead on managing the business development and fundraising process.  

• Help program teams design new initiatives and programs, develop strategic relationships with partner organizations (both international and local) and donors (government and foundations), and help write grant proposals to secure funding and financial support for Partners for Democratic Change (Partners).
• Provide some management and backstopping support on select contracts and grants. 
• Work on programs and in-field opportunities with Partners 19 national Centers.

II. Primary Responsibilities include:

• Identify and track relevant upcoming funding opportunities and new business opportunities from USG, European, multilateral, private and corporate donors and drawing on up to date donor knowledge and advance intelligence gathering, inform regional teams and affiliate Centers of program opportunities;
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and Program teams to create and implement development/fundraising strategy, work plans and benchmarks;
• Manage solicitations and other proposal submissions, including teaming agreements, oversight of technical design and cost proposals, PPRs, capacity statements, internal review/quality control processes, and drafting sections of the proposal where appropriate and ensuring overall quality control;
• Convene and lead program teams including long-term partnerships and consortia including Partners Centers, local NGOs, international organizations and contractors and contribute substantially to the design and conceptualization of new programs in accordance with donor priorities (including the management of Partners’ IQC portfolio);
• Be able to design M&E strategies for new programs, incorporating lessons learned from past evaluations;
• Oversee the Partner’s proposal pipeline, producing fundraising reports to monitor and evaluate progress and results;
• Support the business development function in Partners PDCI Center in Brussels;
• Represent Partners business development interests at relevant meetings and events;
• Liaise, negotiate, and debrief with partners and donors before, during, and after award to feed into our business development analytics;
• Contribute to the development of Partners consultant roster for key technical and bid preparation functions – drawing from both the PDCI network and other partners.
• Produce and present regular business development improvement seminars to build staff capacity and strengthen proposal efforts;
• Track and analyze hit rate, establish fundraising targets, and produce a Fundraising Bulletin of current and live funding opportunities;
• Participate in occasional, in-country assessments to develop new programs and Centers;
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

III. Qualifications/Requirements:

• 4-6 years related experience in designing and writing proposals, particularly proposals to the U.S. government (USG), and managing USG grants or contracts;
• Familiarity with EC and international donor grant processes;
• Ability to facilitate complex program design processes with significant engagement from diverse stakeholders from around the world
  • Strong process facilitation and group leadership skills
  • Demonstrated skills in effective communication in and across diverse teams
• Capability and willingness to manage and prioritize numerous and competing tasks
• A track record of creating and sustaining strategic partnerships and negotiating with prime contractors and project partners;
• Experience with and ability to fulfill short-term field assignments;
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more of Partners’ program areas (e.g. conflict resolution, civil society, good governance, natural resource management);
• Very strong English language writing skills with a knack for clear and concise written communication;
• Excellent oral skills; ability to express complex ideas clearly;
• Ability to create complex budgets using Microsoft Excel
• Language skills strongly desired (French, Spanish or Arabic).
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with US and foreign national staff and civil society, government and the private sector actors;
• Ability to analyze, organize, problem-solve, manage, and prioritize work;
• Experience with Salesforce a plus;
• Advanced degree required.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Full health benefits included.

Start date: As soon as possible and ideally by 30 April 2014.

To apply: Please submit by April 2nd, a cover letter, and resume by email only to partners@partnersglobal.org. No telephone calls, please.  Short-listed candidates will be contacted after April 2nd.

Partners embraces diversity, welcoming individuals of all ethnicities, genders, and orientations to apply.