Program Specialist/Proposal Writer

Terms of Reference (ToR) – Program Specialist

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the Program and Gender Specialist will lead the development of proposals/concept notes, review new project opportunities, and fundraising for EPDO, including the projects’ design and donor communications. The individual requires knowledge of advocating for Afghan women and youth at the policy level as well as experience strengthening Afghan women and youth in their communities. Additionally, it offers concept notes on how vulnerable groups, particularly women and young people, can represent their needs in all aspects of development and fulfill the mandate of EPDO with an intersectional perspective and understanding of the complexities of identities in a complex emergency. Humanitarian response and livelihood support, peacebuilding and good governance, and women’s rights are among EPDO’s subject areas that focus on women.

Job Location: Remote

Number of Positions: One

Job Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension

Scope of Work/Assignment:

• Identify resource opportunities and needs; review requests for proposal (RFPs); attend strategy meetings including research donors and non-profits
• Develop and write proposals/concept notes for new programs
• Work with the technical team members to understand proposal planning
• Conduct meetings and identify opportunities
• Develop technical solutions in design meetings
• Draft accurate, responsive, compelling text for proposals, including background/context, executive summary, technical approach overview, activity components, and technical annexes
• Write documents that help with business development
• Edit written documents in a professional and credible manner
• Help create strategies that help with the proposal development
• Rewrite proposals according to feedback
• Work with internal teams to gather information and develop concepts
• Liaise with current and potential donors regarding projects and funding opportunities
• Laisse with relevant stakeholders
• Gather proposal information by identifying sources of information; coordinating submissions and collections; identifying and communicating risks associated with proposals
• Develop projects by assembling information including project nature, objectives/outcomes/deliverables, implementation, methods, timetable, staffing, budget, standards of performance, and evaluation; writing, revising, and editing drafts including executive summaries, conclusions, and organization credentials
• Prepare presentations/attend meetings with potential donors on projects and proposals when required
• Gender mainstreaming of programs
• Capacity building of staff on the Protection of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy (PSEA) of EPDO
• Updating policies on gender, anti-harassment, and PSEA
• Build capacity of local staff in program designing and program implementation
• Accomplish organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
• Have a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape in the NGO sector

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, or Gender is required. Ph.D. would be an added advantage
• 6+ years of proven experience in writing proposals
• Understand and explain complex technical concepts
• Write clear and concise proposals and concept notes
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Work to tight deadlines
• Good working knowledge of MS Office or Google Docs
• Excellent oral and written communication skills