Proposal Writer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

CONTEXT

With a representation office in Kinshasa and field offices in the provinces of North Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika, the IRC has been responding to humanitarian and developmental needs in the DRC since 1996. Today, the IRC in the DRC concentrates its efforts on providing crucial and lifesaving assistance to conflict affected populations in the eastern provinces of the country, notably North Kivu, Ituri and Sud-Kivu. Through carefully designed programs, the IRC aims to save lives, to strengthen Congolese institutions and to reinforce social cohesion. Guided by core principles of capacity-building, partnership, protection and the promotion of human rights, as the IRC focuses today on the following areas of need: health (including reproductive health and nutrition), governance and conflict management, women's empowerment and the prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence, child protection, education and emergency preparedness and response.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Proposal Writer will coordinate business development efforts to donors for the DRC program and write sound and convincing capability statements and proposals. Key functions will include developing capability statements, donor pitches, concept notes and writing proposals, providing regular updates on project progress to donors, and coordination and tracking of donor engagement efforts.

The Proposal Writer will report to the Senior Grants and Business Development Coordinator. The position will be based in Goma or Bunia.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Proposal development (80%)

• Coordinate proposal development work on priority opportunities as assigned by the Senior Grants and Business Development Coordinator, including: understand and analyze request for proposals / understand and interpret proposal instructions and requirements, preparing timelines, ensuring the proposal team adheres to deadlines, advising and supporting on teaming, supporting recruitment (if needed), assisting in budget development, ensuring document completion, organizing meetings and compiling notes, compiling inputs from internal and external proposal team members, drafting non-technical proposal sections and annexes, translating proposal sections as needed (English/French), and proofreading proposal documents.
• Verify the quality and goal of each proposal, paying attention to the coordination and complementary between budget and operations, budget and programme activities, methodology and donor requirement, accurate analysis of budget distribution, Gender approach, Safeguarding components in all activities, and adequate accountability system in coordination with MEAL.
• Coordinate Value for Money calculations in proposal development, as required by donors.
• Coordinate after action reviews of proposal development and ensure lessons learnt are valued in new proposals.
• Work on needs assessments for assigned proposals
• Produce/update one capability statement per sector or programming area per semester
• In close collaboration with the Partnership Coordinator, ensure our partnership ambition is embedded in our proposal development process in alignment with our Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results (PEER) System.
• Ensure all proposal documents are stored in IRC’s internal storage system (Box).
• Ensure proposal documents are stored in IRC’s grant management system (OTIS) and workflows are on track and in line with the proposal stages.
• In close collaboration with Technical Coordinators, MEAL, Finance and Operations, ensure bill of quantities of our approaches is in place and regularly updated as well as a proposal costing tool.

Business development strategy and positioning (15%)

• Coordinate regular updates to IRC DRC’s Resource Mobilization Strategy in line with Strategy Action Plan (SAP).
• Coordinate the go/no-go decision-making process.
• Use creative approaches to link programme aspirations to donor priorities, while also effectively influencing the strategies of donors.
• Support with the update of IRC DRC proposal readiness development tool that will help with timely and qualitative development and submission of proposals.

General management (5%)

• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as grants meetings, programme meetings or relevant Project Cycle Meeting (PCM)
• Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within Programme portfolio as required.
• Contribute to a conducive and productive work environment typified by teamwork and collaboration.
• Contribute to the wider country programme agenda.

Requirements:

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree + 5 years of relevant work experience in International Development, Social Studies or equivalent is required.

Skills Required:

• Proven work experience as a Proposal Writer or similar role.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and French.
• Strong research skills.
• At least five years’ experience working in humanitarian or development programs; experience in DRC or similar contexts strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with major institutional donors, such as AFD, ECHO, EU/INTPA, FCDO/DFID, GFFO, Sida, UN agencies, US Government (formerly USAID/BHA), and the World Bank.
• Strong proposal writing skills; strong proposal budgeting skills a plus.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively manage a variety of relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals and deadlines
• Demonstrated experience in donor liaison
• Good communicator with strong organizational, time management and analytical skills; attention to detail
• Technical expertise in one of the following areas would be advantageous: health, protection/ GBV, education, WASH, governance or emergency response
• Prior professional experience, preferably in Africa in a post-conflict and/or conflict setting
• Strong digital literacy: must be competent in the use of Windows MS office programs (Word, Excel), email programs, etc.

Standards of Professional Conduct : IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles set out in the IRC WAY – Standards of Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Responsibility and Equality. 

Safeguarding: Strictly adhere to IRC's Child and Adult Safeguard Policy and all other policies, including those related to security and fraud prevention.

In accordance with the safeguard, the IRC enforces policies on the protection of beneficiaries/clients from exploitation and abuse, child protection, anti-harassment in the workplace, fiscal integrity and anti-retaliation.

Equal Opportunity Employer : IRC is an equal opportunity employer. The IRC considers all job applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality: IRC recognizes and honours the core value and dignity of all individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. IRC is also committed to closing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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