Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. In more than 40+ countries around the world, over 5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. We’re committed to creating global change through local impact — 84% of our team members are from the countries where they work. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, addressing problems from multiple angles. And we go beyond emergency aid, partnering with local governments, forward-thinking corporations, social entrepreneurs, and people living in fragile communities to develop bold solutions that make lasting change possible. PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps’ East and Southern Africa (ESA) Region has grown significantly over the past decade. With Mercy Corps’ continued focus on the 3 I’s – Impact, Influence and Innovation – the team has identified the need to effectively respond to New Business opportunities. Currently, Mercy Corps’ New Initiatives team focuses on: 1. Highly strategic submissions, particularly (though not exclusively) to institutional donors and 2. Initiatives that enhance overall agency proposal processes and competitiveness. Team members are tasked to provide additional “person power” on specific, high priority efforts by assisting with all or some of the following: assembling a proposal team; executing team planning; undertaking on-site participatory assessment and design work; extensive writing; providing high-quality reviews and edits; and more Examples of the types of strategic, agency-wide initiatives that the team has supported include: preparation and promotion of a proposal tool kit for improved planning; maintenance of a roster of proposal consultants; and organization of action reviews of proposals. With all of its activities, New Initiatives works in a highly collaborative manner with the agency as a whole, particularly the program operations team and country teams.
Position Summary The Regional Business Development Senior Advisor will be a member of the regional team, reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, Programs and working alongside the regional team to support business development needs for the country offices within the region as well as the region itself. The Regional Business Development Senior Advisor will work closely with the ESA Regional team to provide strategic direction and determine priorities, as well as the global Business Development and Institutional Donor Engagement teams on regional and agency-wide initiatives.
Their primary focus will be on program development, including: 1) tracking the pipeline of potential new business opportunities for the region and supporting the Regional Director (RD), Deputy Regional Director-Programs (DRDP) and Country Directors (CDs) in prioritizing and preparing to pursue them; 2) leading and/or supporting program development efforts throughout the region; 3) helping to enhance the overall state of practice vis-à-vis proposal processes within the region; 4) supporting the region and country teams with donor relations, as needed, with a particular emphasis on helping to diversify the agency’s funding base in the region; and 5) contributing to strategic regional discussions and initiatives, and other strategic aspects as relevant. In addition, s/he will be responsible for helping implement various other activities within region that are part of the Business Development work plan. Supervisory Responsibility None Budget Management Responsibility None Essential Responsibilities PROGRAM/PROPOSAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
Responsible for leading and/or supporting all aspects of the development of high-quality strategic proposals throughout the region. Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts supported by the Deputy Regional Director-Programs and Business Development team. Lead proposal development for: 1) small, medium, and mid-level proposal opportunities; 2) emergency and humanitarian proposal opportunities (generally smaller value but frequent); and 3) support work on larger strategic proposals including for complex programs, multi-country opportunities and/or contracts in partnership with the Business Development team. Ensure that proposal teams are well structured and staffed, particularly for larger strategic proposals but not only, including identification of both Technical Leads and Lead Writers in a timely manner and in coordination with Global BD and Technical teams. Coordinate closely with the Technical Resources & Quality and Evidence & Learning teams at all levels to ensure that all proposals are evidence-based. STRATEGIC PRE-POSITIONING Lead and support efforts that help Mercy Corps’ country and regional program teams to more proactively influence donor planning and access funding. Support targeted assessments that will help create funding opportunities or increase competitiveness of the agency in solicitations, in close collaboration with the Technical and Evidence and Learning Teams Facilitate strategic planning and capacity building sessions with country teams. Regularly track donor trends for potential opportunities that country teams might not be able to monitor or respond to. Produce and regularly update snapshots on the state of the funding landscape in the region, with insight and analysis that will drive the positioning of Mercy Corps as a partner of choice with donors. Evaluate the performance of Mercy Corps’ portfolio in the region, including trends, risks, and opportunities for expansion of engagement with donors Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with other relevant organizations that result in stronger and more impactful program development efforts. REGIONAL CAPACITY Strengthen