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Cost Proposal Manager

8:34:00 PM

Cost Proposal Manager
SNV USA
Bethesda, MD
About SNV USA 
SNV is a development organization committed to eliminating poverty and improving good governance worldwide.  Through technical assistance and advisory services that focus on improving practices in agriculture, renewable energy, and water, sanitation and hygiene, we build local capacity, generate employment and income, and improve access to basic services for the low-income populations.  SNV works in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and employs more than 1,000 professionals in 36 countries.  Based in The Hague and founded as a Dutch government development agency in 1965, SNV has evolved into an independent and multi-faceted organization.
SNV USA is a Bethesda, MD based partnership office that supports SNV’s corporate and global offices.  Established in 2007, this small office facilitates strategic partnerships with bi- and multi-laterals, foundations, corporations, social investors, think tanks, universities, and other entities.  SNV USA has formed a number of exciting partnerships with prominent US donors, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation and USAID.
Position Description 
The Cost Proposal Manager provides functional leadership and support in preparing, monitoring and evaluating cost proposals, pricing and budgets for business development, playing an integral role in helping SNV USA secure funding from USAID and other donors. This individual leads the development of SNV USA's costing strategy for specific proposal initiatives, and oversees all aspects of cost proposal development, including analysis and oversight of partner budgets. 
This position requires frequent communication and coordination with SNV staff in the headquarters office in The Hague as well as in the various developing countries where SNV is present. Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills are essential for success.
Key Responsibilities
  • Prepare budgets, supporting documentation, and other materials for proposals that SNV USA submits to prime implementers, USAID, and other donors. Activities will include:
    • Developing cost strategies, pricing scenarios and budget models to respond to specific requirements of RFPs and RFAs;
    • Preparing cost and budget narratives/justification to accompany budget in cost proposal
    • Developing cost-related responses to post-submission questions/requests for revisions;
    • Preparing advanced proposal budget spreadsheet templates and modifying existing templates to meet the demands of solicitations;
    • Obtaining and reviewing country office inputs to cost proposals, partnering with country offices as required to ensure thorough, accurate, and timely submissions;
    • Supervising and monitoring the use of resources and tools to support full cost recovery;
    • Completing all other cost requirements identified in RFPs, RFAs, RFQs and other solicitation documents; and
    • Conducting cost recovery analysis for SNV approval process.
  • Document all cost assumptions and certify cost data.  Obtain US and international cost information and/or analyze historical costs of similar projects, contact vendors when necessary, and obtain quotes for proposal budgets.
  • Provide expertise, support, and collaboration with respect to organization-wide cost proposal efforts originating from the head office in the Netherlands.
  • Research and analyze various donor requirements
  • Research and analyze competitors strengths and weaknesses
  • Conduct organizational competitive pricing analysis.
  • Assist in organizational efforts to develop and examine new business models.
  • Organize and analyze budgetary, expenditure, contract and other financial and quantitative data.
  • Participate in discussions concerning bidding strategy; develop different scenarios for review and consideration by management.
  • Follow-up with local and field business development, program, and financial staff to obtain and/or verify financial and budget information to ensure quality of complex proposal models.
  • Advise and assist local and field business development and program staff on allowability and compliance issues related to budgeting.
  • Advise/assist local and field business development and program staff regarding methods to ensure full cost recovery and minimize cash outlay from cost share requirements.
Training/Development and Capacity Building
  • Assist SNV field finance staff, program staff, and country directors with understanding USAID and other US donor compliance and reporting requirements.
  • Perform regional and country-specific training as needed to ensure accurate, documented, and reviewed charges to awards.
Contracts and Grants Administration Support
  • Advise/assist local and field business development and program staff regarding key grant and contract compliance issues.
  • Work with business development staff and donors regarding required agreement modifications and/or budget revisions.
  • Develop and maintain templates for each type of agreement entered into with SNV field offices or third-party contractors.
  • Negotiate subcontract terms and conditions for federal, foundation, commercial donor organizations
  • Provide Project Staff advice and interpretation of contract requirements
  • Process contract schedules and modifications.
  • Coordinate with program staff to ensure contract requirements are fulfilled.
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant contractual procedures and practices.
Required Skills and Experience 
    • BS/BA in Accounting or Finance or related field, plus 5+ years of hands-on experience with budgeting and cost proposals in a federal contracting environment. 
    • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), budgeting, and fiscal control theory and practices; (Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) preferable.)
    • Demonstrated expertise in pricing different types of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts including IQC, T&M, FFP, CR, and CPFF;
    • Excellent verbal and written communications, relationship-building, and presentation skills (in English); 
    • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
    • Demonstrated ability to manage complex tasks and  prioritize competing demands in order to meet deadlines;
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
    • Prior experience with international development and/or non-profit organizations, and/or working in a start-up business environment (preferred); and
    • Foreign language skills in French (preferred). 
Personal Characteristics 
The successful candidate will be:
  • Committed to, and enthusiastic about, the mission and vision of SNV;
  • A strategic thinker who is adept at multi-tasking in fast paced environment, able to plan, prioritize, and organize individual and group activities and processes;
  • Outgoing, straightforward, and creative;
  • Able to work independently and take initiative;
  • Results oriented;
  • An adaptable, flexible problem-solver;
  • Team-focused, enjoy working as part of an active group of highly engaged individuals, sharing information readily with co-workers, and listening to and respecting others; able and willing to assist co-workers in the development of their own professional skills in order to ensure the team’s success; and
  • A person who presents a high degree of maturity, honesty, trust, sophistication, and integrity and cultivates these qualities in others.
To Apply 
SNV USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SNV encourages applications from qualified persons of every race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and disability.
Closing date: 
Saturday, September 14, 2013

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