Business Development Specialist II – Kenya

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

As Business Development Specialist II, aligned with the agency’s Vision 2030 Strategy and CRS/Kenya’s Country Program Strategy & Vision 2023-2030, you will work an estimated 75 percent of your time closely with the Country Representative and Head of Programs to support CRS/Kenya in positioning, capture planning, country program visibility, marketing and communication, and leveraging results with institutional donors (government and inter-governmental, as well as foundation, corporations, and others) in support of CRS’ engagement with institutional donors, agency strategy, and initiatives in international development to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will also work closely with the Head of Programs and Program Coordinators to support and lead the production of high-quality applications for funding for large, strategic opportunities. Your knowledge and skills will allow you to provide specialized leadership in all dimensions of the BD cycle to cross-disciplines and cross-functional teams.

An estimated 25 percent of your time will focus on Program Quality related activities in Kenya. Key responsibilities will include working closely with the Head of Programs to support CRS/Kenya to uphold PQ standards and ensure our projects are in alignment and advancement of our new CRS/Kenya Program Strategy & Vision 2023-2030. Support to CRS/Kenya will focus on large multi-year complex projects (USAID/BHA, FCDO and EU-funded), to meet CRS program quality standards. Led by the HoP, you will support CPs to ensure effective systems and processes are in place and support the CRS project cycle, informing the CP learning initiatives and strategy. The PQ component will focus on the BD/PQ Specialist’s skills and knowledge to ensure the Kenya Country Program delivers high-quality programming, Annual Program Plans (APPs), deliberate learning, and continuously works towards improving the impact in Kenya.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

BD Component (estimated 75% LOE):

• Support in depth research and analysis of existing sectoral strategies and portfolios for relevant governments and donors, including the development of mapping and strategic guidance documents to inform country program business development and growth strategies and improve CRS/Kenya’s competitive position in prioritized sectors.
• Lead strategic intelligence gathering, analysis and support activities in line with identified business development strategies so as to position CRS to donors and other key stakeholders, in alignment with CRS/Kenya’s Strategy & Vision.
• Develop and implement capture plans to ensure CRS’ competitiveness for selected opportunities.
• Support CRS/Kenya’s business development marketing and communication activities to leverage results for increased positioning and funding in prioritized sectors. Supervise and mentor the Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Lead CRS/Kenya’s private sector business development activities for increased positioning within the Kenyan private sector.
• Actively support senior management to cultivate and strengthen relationships with institutional donors, partner organizations and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate high value proposal development processes to ensure timely submission of high-quality proposals that are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and CRS’ technical and cost standards.
• Lead and support proposal budget processes and propose recommendations to develop a competitive proposal.
• As appropriate, serve as proposal coordinator or other lead role in a proposal team, and participate in bid analysis and proposal review panels. Serve as a lead or support writer on proposals, contributing both technical and non-technical content and integrating inputs from staff and partners into a responsive, coherent proposal with a compelling vision and clear win themes.
• Train and mentor country program staff and senior managers in CRS/Kenya to improve representation to donor and partner organizations, intelligence-gathering, marketing within their country program or portfolio, and proposal development.
• Support and guide identification of partners and negotiation of CRS’ role on proposal consortia, ensuring a competitive position for CRS that adheres to the agency’s partnership principles and strategic directions. Research, track and analyze new opportunities and CRS’ competitive position within the marketplace.
• Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and corporate capacity, to provide timely information for proposal submissions.
• Participate in the East Africa Regional Office (EARO) BD community of practice and coordinate CRS/Kenya’s Growth Working Group (GWG).

PQ Component (estimated 25% LOE):

• Lead efforts to leverage results from current projects to better position the CRS/Kenya Country Program for new funding.
• Work closely with sector leads and Knowledge Management Lead in consolidating and disseminating best practices.
• Facilitate the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned which contribute to the Country Program’s knowledge management agenda and inform strategy discussions.
• Support the integration of innovations and best practices across all projects in CRS/Kenya.
• Maintain a PQ report review calendar and work with HoP, Project Coordinators and CoPs to ensure high quality reports are submitted on time for internal reviews and to donors.
• Support CP leadership in the development of sector strategic plans; as well as support on the development of Annual Program Plans.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of international development experience, with at least three years experience in a developing country.

Required Languages – Fluency in English required; additional language skills, such as Swahili, a plus.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 35% within Kenya.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a capacity to both see the big picture and give attention to detail.
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion, including gender equality.
• Familiarity and understanding of Kenya’s private sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience utilizing diverse, proactive strategies to competitively position his/her organization for new funding and productive institutional relationships.
• Familiarity with a broad range of technical sectors and institutional donor requirements, with a strong preference for those of key US government donor agencies (USAID, CDC, Department of State, Department of Agriculture). Exceptional writer with expert command of English grammar and AP style.
• Experience with both USAID RFP and RFA funding mechanisms highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience leading and producing competitive proposals in programming contexts similar to CRS.
• Familiarity with relevant institutional donor regulations, policies, procedures and priorities.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and processes, leading teams to produce deliverables under tight deadlines and at exceptional quality.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles a plus.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: Marketing & Communications Manager

Key Working Relationships:

Internal – Country Representative, Head of Programs, Program Coordinators, Growth Working Group Members, EARO and HQ Technical Advisors, EARO Deputy Director for Program Quality; EARO Program Quality and Management Quality team members; the Business Development Community; Kenya country program staff;

External – Donors,Staff of collaborating partner organizations

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: This position is open to Kenyan Nationals only

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer