Afghanistan: Proposal writer

SDO Background:

Sanayee Development organization (SDO) is a registered Afghan development non for profit and non-government organization established in 1990. SDO exists to contribute to the emergence of a peaceful, developed, and self-sustained Afghan society through the provision of service to vulnerable and disadvantage people in the remote and underserved rural areas of Afghanistan in the sector of education, peace-building, community development and community health. Over time, SDO has established an extensive field presence and has implemented projects in 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. Today, SDO continues to operate in nine provinces in the northern, western, and southern regions of the country. In addition to its Kabul Main Office, SDO runs regional offices in Balkh, Heart, Ghor, Ghazni, Kandahar, Sar-e Pul, Jowzjan, and Faryab provinces.

SDO is a non discriminating organization and will consider all applications regardless of their race, sex, age, color, religion, nationality, disability or any other characteristic specified by law.

Purpose of the Position

The proposal writer will be working under the direct supervision of the program director and will closely work with a team of program officers and senior program officers. S/he is will be required to consistently look for funding opportunities, develop concept notes and proposal according to guideline and bases on factual information that provide the reader with necessary details to make a decision about the future financial contribution for SDO. Similarly, s/he is expected to develop budgets and work plans based on the announced RFPs. Besides looking for the newly announced funding opportunities, the position holder is expected to approach the current or previous donors with any possible idea in line with the SDO Organizational strategy. S/he is primarily involved with writing, packaging and delivery of the final proposal documents and maintenance of the proposal content library, application of best proposal practices and ensuring proposal process is followed by team of programme officers. The proposal writer will be responsible for donor coordination activities and will be representing SDO at donor meetings.

Scope:

This position is for dynamic, detail-oriented proposal writer, who will write and coordinate strategic marketing content for proposal, presenting and other material to support SDO financial acquisition and donor retention efforts. The proposal writer will be based in Program Department at SDO Main Office. The position holder will be part of a team of program officers and senior programme officers and will be undertaking the above mentioned activities in collaboration and support with the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The proposal writer would be responsible for the following tasks.

· Develop proposals, concept notes, budgets and work plans based on the requirement of donors

· Attend donor meetings and project briefings

· Motivates and coaches the program officers and senior program on writing wining proposals

· Works as a member of a proposal team to research, analyze, prepare, and submit proposals for donors.

· Reviews requests for proposals (RFPs) or requests for information (RFIs) requirements; develops response approach and ensures agreed upon elements are incorporated into a cohesive and persuasive format.

· Responds to inquiries and coordinates activities with other programme team to ensure that appropriate level proposal section responses are fulfilled in a timely manner.

· Coordinates with other programme teams as needed to ensure production, quality control and past performance requirements are met. Provides leadership and work guidance to less experienced personnel.

· Provide comprehensive reviews and proofreading of materials developed to ensure accuracy, consistency and appropriate style

· Any other task assigned by program director or executive director

· Creates and maintains a proper record keeping of his/her relevant activities

Education and Skills:

Candidate who have the following qualities are eligible for the position:

· Bachelor degree in development studies or any other relevant degree. Master degree preferred

· At least 4 years experience in proposal development field.

· Experience working with proposal development, preparation, writing and analysis

· Excellent oral and written command of English Language

· Good communication skills to create documentation and to communicate with donors and management.

· Have an understanding of development process and progress in Afghanistan

· Excellent project cycle management skills

· Able to work in multi cultural and tough environment

· Excellent Microsoft Office Package skills

· Leadership skills to guide and mentor the work of less experience professionals in the programme department.