Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Position Description:

The Senior Program Design Manager is principally responsible for producing high-quality proposals to generate increased impact and revenue with priority funders: United States Agency for International Development; the US Department of Agriculture; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; and Multinational Corporations. While the Senior Program Design Manager will be involved in all phases of Program Development (PD), the primary focus is to facilitate impactful project designs and write persuasive proposals. Other PD responsibilities will include working closely with relevant technical teams to expand our knowledge base and generate innovative models and tools, engaging with our donor engagement and lead generation teams, as well as improving and promoting business development best practices, processes, and standards across TechnoServe’s global PD function.

Based on subject matter expertise, the Senior PD Manager will work closely with TechnoServe technical practice areas to design projects and write proposals as well as innovate and document our approaches, models, and tools. Technical Practice areas include High-Value Agriculture, Food Processing/Local Food Systems, Enterprise Development and Regenerative Business. The ideal candidate will possess strong business development experience with a focus on strong project design and proposal writing skills. Additionally, they will have a solid understanding of one of our technical focus areas.

Key Responsibilities:

FUNCTION AS PROPOSAL WRITER AND INTEGRATOR FOR PRIORITY BIDS

The Senior PD Manager will serve in the capacity as the lead proposal writer or as a section writer integrating specialized inputs into the technical proposal narrative (executive summary, technical approach, management plan, organizational capacity, monitoring and evaluation plan, implementation plan, etc.) on high-priority bids. This position will also provide coaching, editing, and reviews of proposals and/or concepts. The Senior PD Manager will take on as many assignments annually as required and feasible, including full proposals, concept notes, and expressions of interest, as well as capture trip reports.

Estimated level of effort: 60%

SUPPORT PRACTICE TO DOCUMENT AND EVOLVE APPROACHES AND TOOLS

The Senior PD Manager will work directly with the technical teams and the PD knowledge management lead to document current approaches, frameworks, models, and tools so that others can easily adapt and utilize them for program design efforts, proposals, marketing materials, or other documents. The Senior PD Manager will support the evolution and innovation of approaches, frameworks, and models. The position will also research competitors, academia, and the broader private sector to identify new or improved practices and tools. Additionally, this position will promote cross-practice collaboration with other TechnoServe practices. As needed, the Senior PD Manager will attend relevant conferences or events to stay abreast of current sectoral trends.

Estimated level of effort: 20%

SUPPORT IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The Senior PD Manager will support the PD team’s efforts to improve new business performance through improved research and strengthened processes and tools. The Senior PD Manager will research, document, and disseminate information on funders relevant to key technical areas to inform longer-term approaches to customer relationship management. Finally, the Senior PD Manager will work in close coordination with the PD knowledge management lead to develop toolkits, guidance documents, and templates aimed at promoting global standards in PD across regions and country platforms.

Estimated level of effort: 10%

PROVIDE SURGE CAPACITY FOR GLOBAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

As needed, the Senior PD Manager will support writing, editing, and sometimes management as needed on concept notes, proposals, and recon/capture trip efforts outside of food systems.

Estimated level of effort: 10%

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in international relations, communications or related discipline, plus a minimum of 10 years experience of supporting business development in an international development context (or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience). Professional experience in lieu of a degree may be considered.
• 5 years of demonstrated experience serving as a Lead Writer on large, USG and other major donor-funded technical proposals
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-sectoral, geographically dispersed proposal teams to design and write winning proposals
• At least 5 years of experience in proposal development with a proven track record of writing winning proposals.
• Technical subject matter knowledge in at least one of TechnoServe’s key focus areas including High Value Agriculture, Food Processing/Local Food Systems, Enterprise Development and/or Regenerative Business.

Languages: English Fluency required. Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese language skills strongly preferred; additional language skills are desirable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in market-based solutions and working with the private sector.
• Experience managing and coordinating proposals for a range of public and private funders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Desire to continuously refine and improve writing skills based on feedback and support from colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize knowledge and insights into broadly applicable models, frameworks and tools that can be used to support program design and/or integrated into proposals.
• Ability to perform under pressure, be flexible, work independently, manage multiple tasks, and work effectively as a manager and team member in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of systems thinking including topics such as market systems development, complex adaptive systems, and value chain development.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with enthusiasm for writing, as well as critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to produce polished PowerPoint and other marketing material presentations.
• Ability to use and aptitude for Results Based Management/Logical Framework approaches preferred.
• Passionate about market-led approaches to helping the poor improve their livelihoods

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call 1 202 785 4515.

We are open to remote US applicants for this position, with a preference for candidates located in a commutable distance of TechnoServe's Arlington, VA, Headquarters. Applicants must have US work authorization at the time of application.

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