Cost & Pricing Specialist

Job Summary:

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day-to-day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include: **

Excellence– We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom– We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency– We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in business, finance, international relations, or related field.

• Minimum three years professional experience developing or managing budgets for US government-funded programs and/or grant proposals.

• Working understanding in the application of relevant cost principles, budgeting methodologies, and cost presentations of U.S. Government (ex: USAID and Department of State) funders

• Communicates budget concepts, procedures, narratives, and justifications clearly and concisely

• Multitasks effectively in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment

• Strong knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel budget development, and advanced formula utilization and data analysis capabilities.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to multi-task, as well as the ability to be flexible and adjust priorities based on time pressures.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals and deadlines.

Preferred:

• Experience working with donors on and contributing to foreign proposals (ex: FCDO, DFAT, EU, GAC).

• Understands USAID Standard Provisions, 2 CFR 200 and 700, and other relevant federal regulations

• Other relevant programmatic and management skills (ex: managing pipelines, issuing and managing subgrants, overseeing program implementation, contributing to day-to-day administration for program implementation) is a plus.

• Proactive in identifying and solving problems

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Serves as a main point of contact for assigned cost proposals, BAFO Negotiations, budget modifications and realignments; coordinates review and input for finance and grants sign off as needed.

• Reviews cost application proposals as assigned in response to funder/client requirements including proposal budgets and cost narratives.

• Ensures cost applications are in line with technical narratives.

• Leads cost strategy discussions throughout the proposal process, including leading the Cost Consultation, providing input and guidance on competitiveness, funder feedback, and incorporating best practices from across the institute

• Ensures cost applications accurately reflect all necessary expenses as required by IRI policies and procedures. When necessary and appropriate, refer staff to the relevant internal policies and procedures.

• Ensures compliance of final formatting and production of cost proposal elements.

• Provides cost and pricing support to DC and field-based staff, especially around funder regulations and pricing models

• Provides guidance on various elements of costs, templates, and budget notes to support cost proposals.

• Drafts and/or modify the budget templates to comply with donor requirements and create and/or revise new budget templates as needed.

• Works closely with Business Development team members to update revenue and spending information in IRI’s proposal tracker, reporting any concerns to supervisor(s).

• Conducts trend analysis on proposal spending and donor feedback, generating reports for the Business Development Team.

• Conducts proposal-related research and analysis to assist in developing new competitive cost proposals.

• Assists in the development of training resources, such as: budgeting, pricing strategies, and budget templates.

• Seeks opportunities to streamline cost and pricing processes and strengthen IRI’s BD practices.

• Other duties as assigned.