Bid Writer – Consultant

CARE SYRIA Scope of Work/Terms of Reference

‘Bid Writer – Consultant’

Position Title: Bid Writer (Consultant)

Duty Station: Remote

Duration of Contract: N/A. This advertisement serves as an opportunity for candidates to be added to a pool of bid writers for CARE Syria but does not serve as a guarantee of contracting.

Reporting to: Head of Business Development

Level of Effort: To be confirmed depending on scope of opportunity.

1. SCOPE OF WORK & BACKGROUND

CARE is one of the world’s leading international humanitarian and development organisations, committed to helping people in poor communities improve their lives and alleviate poverty. Founded in 1945, CARE is working across 94 countries to fight global poverty and marginalisation.

CARE began operating in Syria in 2013 to provide life-saving emergency assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict. CARE puts women and girls at the center of our work because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE Syria continues to develop response strategies for all aspects of CARE Syria’s programming, in a bid to ensure continued relevancy and secure additional funds for future years of program implementation.

The role of Bid Writer – Consultant is a mid-level consultancy position responsible for the coordination and writing of specific bids. S/he will be closely working with the Head of Business Development, Director of Programs, Program Development & Partnerships Manager, Program Manager, Finance Controller and sector Program Leads to coordinate inputs for bids, as well as technical advisors and hub leads as required, to ensure resources are available in a timely fashion in accordance with internal and donor-driven deadlines.

2. CONSULTANCY OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES

The position is responsible for efficient, effective and high quality bid coordination and writing support for specific funding opportunities, to be identified by CARE.

Typically, responsibilities will include:

• Attending program design/proposal kick off workshop/s and act as chief note-taker. During this workshop the Director of Programs/Head of Business Development or equivalent will brainstorm a rough plan for approach. Your remit will be a ‘listening brief’ to familiarise yourself with donor requirements, program design planning, thematic areas and timeline development.
• Acting as lead coordinator and writer for the bid response, including soliciting inputs from program and technical leads, finance, procurement and other relevant support colleagues, specific to the bid and annex requirements.
• Acting as lead writer for the bid response, including producing a storyboard for review by the Director of Programs/Head of Business Development. Assume draft from scratch (no boilerplate). Review and edit all other technical responses to ensure the whole proposal follows ‘one voice’.
• Participating in review feedback calls and provide regular updates to Head of Business Development on a frequency to be agreed (either written updates or video call). Escalate issues as required.
• Participating in a lesson learned call following bid submission as required.

3. PROFILE

Education

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Community Development, or other relevant Social Sciences discipline.
• Proposal writing training certification (or attendance record)

Desired:

• Master’s degree in relevant subject

Experience/Technical Skills

Required:

• At least 6 years’ experience of working in program delivery and with institutional donor audiences or similar in business development and/or management roles
• At least 4 years’ experience working specifically in bid writing positions in a humanitarian context, preferably within the MENA region
• Demonstrable experience of working with affiliated or support offices within complex organisation structures
• Keen familiarity with donor regulations, standards and compliance matters
• Excellent written and spoken English and attention to detail
• Strong understanding of gender and other programming issues within Syria and a commitment to promoting the empowerment of women and girls
• Self-directed, accountable, and integrous individual
• Able to work quickly and efficiently to deliver key tasks, whilst building team across multiple hubs, according to tight deadlines

Problem Solving

• Selected Level: 3
• Comments: Business development is an evolving area for CARE Syria and will need the postholder to continuously adapt to changes in the landscape.

Contacts/Key Relationships

Internal

• Head of Business Development
• Country Director
• Deputy Country Director
• Director of Programs
• Program Development & Partnerships Manager
• Program Manager
• Finance Controller
• CARE Member Partners