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Sr. Proposal Manager , International Potato Center

8:21:00 PM ,

Ref.: 12-37 PM/IRS/HQ

Sr. Proposal Manager

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an accomplished professional with demonstrated managerial and editorial skills to oversee the entire proposal process from development to submission.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

The Position: The successful candidate will work as an integral part of a team in the New Business Development Unit. On an interim basis, this position will report to the Head of Grants and Contracts. The Office provides operational support for CIP’s Peru headquarters and its regional offices in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in identifying fundraising opportunities, preparing proposals, and managing and administering contracts throughout the pre- and post-award cycle.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and editing quality proposals that comply with donor and internal CIP requirements.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Proposal Management:

In collaboration with the applicable PI, Project Management Officer, and Program and/Regional Leader, takes lead role in managing the proposal development process:

a) Reviews Donor Calls/requests for proposals to identify and understand Donor’s priorities, requirements, evaluation criteria, and funding guidelines

b) Manages proposal team on roles and responsibilities and actively communicates with team and external partners to define proposal development needs and schedules

c) Collaboratively identifies strategies and “win themes”—points of differentiation—to guide the development of the technical proposal

d) Develops proposal preparation plans, outlines, and templates to comply with Donor requirements

e) Supports the lead technical writer/subject matter experts and writes non-technical sections as needed

f) Schedules proposal team meetings to assess progress and identify problems and resolve bottlenecks

g) Reviews and edits proposal outline and drafts, assesses quality of writing, and ensures that proposal meets the Call guidelines, proposal strategy/themes, evaluation criteria, and CIP’s internal requirements.

h) Responsible for final edit and production of the proposal

i) Coordinates internal and (when necessary) external peer reviews and feedback

j) Serves as Donor point of contact for submitting proposals on time and for determining proposal eligibility and Call clarifications

k) Conducts post-proposal analysis meeting with all concerned, whether a win or a loss, including surveying the donor.
  1. Donor Intelligence:

Supports new business development architecture as needed, including Regional Operations Leaders (ROLs) and Regional Science Leaders:

a) As a member of the Business Development Team, tracks Donor, country, and/or programmatic trends to anticipate new funding opportunities

b) Supports applicable ROLs with Donor communications, attending meetings and bidders’ conferences, establishing networks, and follow up

c) Supports Principal Investigator (PI) in the submission of “first idea” exchange with Donor, if appropriate.

d) Conducts opportunity due diligence (call eligibility and alignment with corporate strategy) for internal release clearance

e) Registers and tracks submitted Project Notification Memorandum (PNMs) to PNM Committee

f) Publishes go/no go decision to all internal stakeholders

  1. Administrative:

a) Maintains internal proposal development tracking system, sets file-sharing protocols, keeps management and key players abreast of proposal status

b) Sets up and maintains proposal directories, archives, and access protocols on corporate-wide information management system

c) Organizes, populates, and maintains archive of donor intelligence, proposal best practices, materials, templates, capability statements, and standards for use and re-use by proposal team members

Selection Criteria:

  • Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field
  • The ability to manage multiple competing demands, priorities, and projects; superior organizational skills and attention to details.
  • Familiarity/exposure to more than one organization’s proposal development process desired. USAID International development experience preferred.
  • A congenial attitude who can quickly establish a productive, collaborative rapport with CIP’s senior management, research and scientific staff, regional and global science and operations leaders, and partners.
  • Excellent English and Spanish verbal and writing/editing/proofreading skills.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office products essential; experience with Corel Draw or other graphics software a plus.

Conditions: Employment contract will be for a three-year term (with a six-month probation period) with possibility of renewal. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP provides additional benefits, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. Allowances towards relocation, housing, home leave travel, dependents’ education and annual leave are also provided. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to CIP-recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on July 7, 2012 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply

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