Business Development Specialist

Description

Freedom House seeks an experienced Business Development Specialist to join our Strategy, Development and Learning (SDL) team. We welcome applications from candidates who have at least three years of nonprofit business development experience in democracy and governance, and/or other sectors in international development. Freedom House is a non-profit organization that promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists. We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including a 10% match on retirement accounts.

This position is within the International Programs Division’s Strategy, Development and Learning (SDL) team. Working with the Director of Business Development, the Business Development Specialist will support the strategic focus of Freedom House's programming and improve the development of proposals for public donor-funded programs. The Business Development Specialist will collaborate with regional and research teams on proposal development efforts tailored to Freedom House’s mission and expertise. The Business Development Specialist will also lead coordination of teams through the full proposal cycle, including capture and prepositioning, proposal calendars, design sessions and proposal development, compliance with donor requirements, and submission. This is an exciting opportunity not only to contribute to business development but also to lead the development and implementation of standard processes, best practices, and new strategies across the organization.   

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with staff across Research/Analysis, Advocacy/Communications, and International Programs teams on planning and strategy for new funding opportunities
• Support SDL and Freedom House leadership to develop annual and longer term business development strategies
• Track public donor strategic and programmatic priorities and monitor donor websites to identify new funding opportunities
• Analyze win/loss trends and work with Director of Business Development and Senior Director for SDL on strategies for more successful funding proposals
• Maintain database of new business opportunities and produce reports for Freedom House leadership
• Serve as proposal manager for key opportunities
• Work with the SDL team to further standardize the proposal development process
• Facilitate proposal team kickoff meetings, design sessions, color team reviews, and regular business development meetings
• Contribute writing to technical narratives, such as executive summary, management approach, capability statement, and other proposal sections
• Develop resources to strengthen proposals and oversee knowledge management for business development
• Train staff in proposal writing, logframe development, and the FH approach to activity design

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international affairs, political science, or related field
• Four to six years of directly related business development experience, preferably with an international development organization
• Knowledge of USAID and U.S. State Department award development processes and rules and regulations
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and communication skills
• Experience collaborating with diverse teams
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Experience contributing to organizational strategy and change processes
• Demonstrated computer literacy and experience with a variety of business applications and project management software, such as database management systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, international affairs, political science, or related field.
• Professional networks that include staff from USAID, State Department, and other public sector donors
• Experience with non-U.S. government donors, such as Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Global Affairs Canada, and United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Experience facilitating program design sessions

Additional Information

Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position.

Freedom House recognizes the impact of systemic racism and the legacy of colonialism in international development and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to apply.

Physical Requirements: Sedentary, regularly required to sit for extended periods of time. Constantly talk, hear, and understand speech at normal levels using a telephone. Occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend over; reach overhead; use hands, wrists, and fingers to grasp, push, pull, move, handle, feel, and type. Constantly required to use close vision and distance vision for regular computer work. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. to waist height.

General Working Conditions: General working office environment. Some long hours, including evenings and/or weekends as reasonable, to complete essential tasks or attend important events and to be responsive in a timely manner to emergency assistance requests. Travel to event and meeting sites. Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to attend event venues or travel. Please note that due to COVID-19 related restrictions, this will be a remote position through at least spring 2021.

Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job.  It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks   and duties.  The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

Qualified and Interested Applicants:

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

Only candidates authorized to work in the U.S. without any restrictions need apply.

EOE M/F/D/V

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