BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECT MANAGER, MALAWI

Background

NIRAS has maintained an office and legal status of a limited company registered in Malawi. The office has been developing and managing its own projects and supports ongoing projects and NIRAS International Consulting (NIC) marketing efforts. NIRAS is currently managing a mix of both long and short-term projects, in various sectors including agriculture, agri-business, climate change, forestry, water, governance, monitoring and evaluation in Malawi. We have a growing network in the country and are keen on building a strong project pipeline in Malawi that reflects the wider set of sectors in which NIRAS works.

Purpose:

The Business Development and Project Manager is responsible for providing oversight and coordination of client engagement, all fundraising and tender writing.

Business Development

• Develop in-depth knowledge of the sector/thematic priority areas for NIRAS Africa and systematically gather information regarding clients’ and funding agencies’ strategies and programming initiatives in these areas.
• In consultation with the Market Coordinator and Country Office Director maintain an overview of the pipelines and internal processes to prioritize “potential winning” bids.
• Coordination of the tender development process and pursuit of opportunities in liaison with the Malawi country office, NIRAS Africa and Other NIRAS Offices across the globe.
• Take lead in collating information on lessons learned from EOI and Bid processes; ensure the post-bid analyses take place and information disseminated and actions taken.
• Identify and build relationships with new and potential clients (including donors, aid agencies, government agencies, programmes and private business).
• Develop and maintain a database of clients, consultants (experts) and companies.
• Support or lead identifying strategic partners, experts and develop unique selling proposition and differentiators to create a competitive edge for NIRAS Malawi. Specifically explore opportunities for collaboration in Bids, fact-finding missions etc.
• Expand NIRAS Malawi network of strategic partners, associates/experts and consultants by identifying and quality assuring new consultants (Malawi and international) and maintain regular contact with them. Manage the consultant roster/ NIC expert online database (CVPT).
• Represent the company’s business development interests at relevant meetings, events or donor-specific peer networks as it relates to NIRAS interest/thematic areas.

Bids and Tendering

• Develop and write Expression of Interest and business proposals.
• Take lead and respond to Request for Proposals, Expressions of Interests analysis, Request for Quotations, reference selection and RfP/ EOI elaboration process.
• Ensure application of NIC routines, templates and tools to deliver uniform/consistent results in a cost-efficient manner.
• Manage activities for bid preparation and planning including: Teaming, bid strategy, development of win-themes, oversight of and contribution to technical design, drafting management and other sections of the bid process.
• Analyse tender requirements and technical, costing and other issues of relevance to bids and provide substantive written inputs to proposals in areas of competence.
• Perform diligence process and fact-finding missions, by studying integration of new ventures with company strategies and operations; examining risks and potentials; estimating partners’ needs and goals.
• Advice on and assist outreach to relevant consultants and companies to pursue options for entry of consortia and partnerships for bids. Maintain contact and negotiate with identified consultants and partners.
• Ensure all relevant documentation for bids is complete and accurate, and that all technical, commercial and contractual correspondence with clients and participating partners and consultants are efficiently addressed and closed out.
• Analyse the proposal schedule, monitor progress and highlight potential risks for on time delivery, and recommend corrective action for approval.
• Prepare reports such as summary schedules, proposal overviews, competitive overviews and cost/price summaries.

Project Management and Administration

• Support the management and effective use of all relevant operational systems for NIRAS Africa projects, including financial management, work-planning, security and duty of care, procurement and logistics, and human resource management.
• Provide support to internal and external events, such as meetings and workshops; initiatives defined in the project work plans; administrative and logistical tasks; and other activities as required.
• Assist Project Managers and Project Directors with project management tasks including finance, risk and quality management.

Qualifications and Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree in related technical discipline relevant to NIRAS Africa Group’s thematic areas is strongly preferred. A Masters will be an added advantage.
• At least four years’ relevant working experience in successful tender bid development, in a similar role, preferably in an international company.
• Working knowledge in tendering process for development projects is essential.
• Excellent technical skills in writing, editing, analyzing and formatting bid documents.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with good report writing skills. Ability to communicate with stakeholders from a range of professional backgrounds Fluent in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Outgoing personality, good interpersonal skills i.e., can network.
• Successful candidate should have proposal writing experience from major donors including World Bank, EU, USAID, DANIDA, GIZ, KfW etc
• Demonstrable ability to proactively seek out new business opportunities.
• Ability to work well individually and within a team to deliver results within budget and set deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills capable of hands-on problem-solving, with ability to generate ideas and solutions.
• Open to traveling within and outside Malawi