Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community
in the United States. We alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in more than
100 countries, without regard to race, belief or nationality.
CRS maintains strict standards of efficiency, accountability and transparency. Last year, more than
93 percent of revenues we spent went directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas.
Job Title: Specialist II-Business Development, Nigeria
Catholic Relief Services – Abuja, NG
Listing Info
ABOUT CRS: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United
States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our
mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and
secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
BACKGROUND: Catholic Relief Services came to Nigeria in 1960 to provide humanitarian
assistance in collaboration with the Catholic Church. Along with many other NGOs, CRS was
forced to leave the country in 1970 during the Biafran War. In the late 1990s, CRS implemented
outreach projects in Nigeria through the Catholic Church, and in 1999, CRS opened an office in
Nigeria, primarily to support peace and justice efforts. In 2001, CRS launched a response to HIV
and AIDS in four dioceses of Nigeria. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief greatly
expanded the size of the country program work in 2004.
CRS Nigeria has since been expanding its portfolio across sector and geographic areas. Nigeria was
identified as a priority country within CRS for business development, based on the many
opportunities and the great need with over 100 million people surviving on less than $1.25 per day.
Primary Function
The Business Development Specialist will support the agency’s positioning for and pursuit of
institutional donor resources, with an emphasis on competitive funding mechanisms. S/he will
provide business development expertise and leadership to cross-discipline and cross-functional
teams in the development of proposals to ensure the highest quality standards and competitiveness.
S/he will contribute to and support internal learning processes that improve CRS’ business
development practice, enhance the agency’s value propositions, and leverage innovative,
evidence-based results into new revenue and programming.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: • Research, track and analyze new business opportunities,
competitive intelligence, and CRS’ competitive positioning within the marketplace.
• Maintain accurate business pipeline and performance data through CRS’ online system to inform
executive and senior management decisions.
• Support senior management’s cultivation and strengthening of institutional relationships with
donors, partner organizations, and other collaborators in the international relief/development
arena.
• Provide BD expertise in positioning, capture planning and proposal preparation for specific
opportunities. As appropriate, serve as proposal coordinator or other lead role in proposal team,
and participate in bid analysis and proposal review panels.
• Coordinate processes and mentor staff to ensure timely submission of high quality proposals that
are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and CRS’ technical and cost
standards.
• Support and guide the identification of partners and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal
consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership
principles and strategic directions.
• Work with senior managers and advisors to develop effective fundraising strategies involving
donor research and intelligence, product development, marketing, cultivation, solicitation and
stewardship.
• Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, in
order to provide timely information for proposal submissions worldwide.
• Contribute to, disseminate, and model the use of standardized business development processes
and resources (training/capacity-building materials, guidelines, tools and templates, and online
information).
• Lead and contribute to agency learning, through analysis of proposal successes and failures,
analysis of CRS competitiveness and the funding environment, and active participation in CRS’
global BD community of practice.
• Assist the Program Quality department with guidance on high-quality project start-up and
close-out, including development of relevant GANTT charts and tracking of timelines.
AGENCY-WIDE COMPETENCIES (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and
guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and
achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None
Key Working Relationships
INTERNAL: Country Program staff; regional office staff; relevant HQ departments, and global BD
community.
EXTERNAL: Business development officials of collaborating partner organizations; select donor
representatives as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s Degree in Development, International Relations, or relevant field preferred; equivalent
experience acceptable.
• Minimum 5 years of international development experience, including at least 2 years in a
developing country.
• Demonstrated experience leading and producing competitive proposals in programming contexts
similar to CRS required. Comprehensive familiarity with technical and cost application
requirements of USAID RFAs required. Experience with USAID RFPs and with non-USAID and
non-USG donors and funding mechanisms highly desirable.
• Familiarity with relevant federal regulations and with the agency-specific policies, procedures
and priorities of USAID and the United Nations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing people and processes, leading teams to produce deliverables
under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.
• Exceptional writing ability.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles, a plus.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet) required, experience
with Access or other data base programs is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of job time.
• Fluency in English required.
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: • Experience and proven track record of successful
proposal development with USG and other donor agencies
• Listening, mediation, and facilitation skills
• Sound judgment, assertiveness, and commitment to the Agency’s mission
• Self-motivated, with the ability to motivate others and coordinate a large amount of activity
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Knowledge of CRS program quality standards, partnership principles and Catholic Social
Teaching principles is preferred.
Disclaimer
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated
with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable
adults from abuse and exploitation.
EOE/M/F/D/V*.*
How to Apply
Click here to apply online
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