Senior Manager, Cost and Pricing

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The Senior Manager, Cost and Pricing will lead and coordinate cost application/proposal preparation across Amref Health Africa in collaboration with Amref Headquarters Finance team, Amref Country Office Teams including Finance and Program Development.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set and maintain standards for quality preparation of the cost proposals (including budgets, cost narratives, and other required documents), documentation, and storage of relevant files.
• In collaboration with BD, work on new and existing funder bids as well as support large, complex modifications to existing awards.
• Provide direction and instructions to partners for the development of sub-award or subcontractor budgets for inclusion in organizational led bids and provide high-quality review and feedback on their proposal budgets.
• Perform detailed review and quality control of active proposals including required budget schedules, proformas, budget spreadsheets, and budget narratives.
• Provide pricing strategy to business development team during the proposal phase.
• Collect cost and pricing data for bids including in-country and market data for costs.
• Determine optimal price points for bids and conduct price-to-win analysis.
• Evaluate Amref’s full cost recovery and ensure both direct and indirect costs are incorporated in all cost applications/proposals.
• Develop pricing strategies and presentation budgets for various contracting mechanisms, e.g. Fixed Price, Time and Materials, Cost Reimbursement Contracts, etc.
• Oversee and gather sourcing and verification of pricing information and unit costs.
• Offer pricing scenarios, making cost proposals more competitive and cost-efficient.
• Coordinate with management and other staff members to provide current and accurate cost and pricing date/information.
• Ensure partners’ budgets and cost proposal documentation are compliant with donor and solicitation requirements.
• Prepare cost proposals in response to solicitation requirements;
• Ensure compliance with AMREF and donor regulations during budget development.
• Support the transition of the financial management of awards to permanent staff during project start-up.
• Develop templates and tools for efficient and effective cost proposal preparation according to donor and industry best practices (e.g. Excel budget templates and cost notes).
• Mentor and build the capacity of AMREF staff during the proposal budget process.
• Develop and regularly update the curriculum for building the capacity of country staff to effectively manage cost proposal development.
• Collaborate with AMREF HQ finance, and country teams on a variety of business development activities including unit cost analysis, return on investment/value for money analysis and assessing new donors.
• Contribute to business case development and analysis.
• Fill in gaps by performing tasks where needed and finding solutions for challenges in the process.
• Travel to countries to support the business development/cost application/proposal process.
• Remain current with U.S, Government, UN, Foundations and European donors’ regulations on cost principles and audit. Participate in relevant capacity building events to enhance understanding of applicable federal regulations.
• Remain current with other target donor regulations on cost principles.
• Build a wide and effective network within and outside the organization; collaborate across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or other related fields; a Master’s Degree is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience with cost and pricing analysis for public and private agreements, grants, and contract mechanisms.
• Experience in US government cost applications and proposals will be an added advantage.
• Experience with and commitment to working in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong spreadsheet and communication skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to provide good customer service to internal/external clients and to discuss and explain budget and pricing topics with program implementation and technical personnel.
• Strong writing skills and advanced-level proficiency with Excel are required.
• Self-starter attitude and ability to thrive in a management structure where supervision is minimal but high standards are maintained.
• Organizational skills and a capacity to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English required, fluency in Spanish or French desired.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize commitments, work in a matrixed organization, and manage time effectively are critical skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally, up to 30% of the time