Proposal Development Coordinator / Research Administrator II

Working/Functional Title

Proposal Development Coordinator

Position Summary

The Proposal Development Coordinator will play a vital role in supporting the Global Research Office within International Studies and Programs (ISP) at Michigan State University (MSU). Working with faculty, staff and administrators, the Proposal Development Coordinator will work with ISP lead faculty and department administrators across campus to develop proposal application packages for international research, education, and capacity building programs at MSU.

Innovating, creating, learning, anticipating the future: The Global Research Office presents a novel higher education model for international research and development. Global Research will provide expertise and resources to facilitate access to funding from the U.S. government, philanthropic foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations, foreign governments, and non-profit and for-profit entities. Ultimately, linkages among MSU faculty, collaborating partners, and the broader international community will serve as a conduit for co-creation of high-quality programming, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

Hybrid work statement: The department is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remotely. This structure is subject to change at any time.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Proposal Development (60%)

• Work with ISP faculty and administrators to facilitate the development of multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator research proposals that focus on MSU’s international research, education, and engagement priorities
• Liaise with MSU faculty, the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and donors to ensure that proposal production and submission is timely, complete, and meets MSU and donor requirements
• Contribute to the development of the technical approach, personnel and management sections
• Analyze RFPs and RFAs to draft technical and cost proposal outlines
• Write and edit capability statements highlighting MSU and faculty expertise in relevant proposal areas
• Develop proposal calendar and ensure adherence; manage timely and technically responsive inputs from proposal team members
• Provide input on financial aspects of proposals including creating budgets and budget justifications meeting MSU and donor requirements
• Track the status of proposals after submission and convene post-proposal debriefings
• Oversee editing of final technical and cost proposals

ISP Unit Administration (30%)

• Contribute to the advancement of ISP Dean’s initiatives
• Represent ISP on MSU work groups and networks
• Manage unit general fund budget, including unit resource allocation
• Track and process unit personnel distributions
• Review and analyze financial policies and procedures to recommend and implement internal controls and reporting standards for the unit
• Evaluate existing policies and procedures and make recommendations for process improvements to strengthen operational effectiveness
• Analyze account data and prepare financial reports for the unit

Market Intelligence & Communications (10%)

• Anticipate trends in donor funding and identify new business opportunities for ISP’s international engagement
• Conduct opportunity analyses to evaluate MSU competitiveness and make recommendations that position ISP/MSU to engage in upcoming opportunities
• Identify and maintain relationships with external partners
• Prepare and assist in negotiating teaming agreements, memoranda of understanding, and sub-awards
• Conduct outreach to university faculty, staff, and students regarding funding opportunities

Minimum Requirements

The job requires: knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in finance, accounting, management, business administration or a research-related field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration including the area of pre or post award processes professional financial management, or related field such as regulatory administration or cost accounting or auditing or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in office administration and operations
• Experience working at an international development firm, international non-governmental organization, or similar organization
• Experience with proposal development of non-traditional funding agencies

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 02/03/2026 at 11:55 PM