Background:

Action Against Hunger is preparing a prime application submission for the USAID BHA Uganda Resilience and Food Security Activity (RFSA). The project aims to enhance and sustain food and nutrition security among vulnerable populations through resilience-building activities. Due to competing priorities, Action Against Hunger requires the services of a Technical Writer to support the development and drafting of the full technical application.

Purpose and Objectives:

The Technical Writer will work closely with the Proposal Team Lead, Technical Lead, Cost Lead, HR, Award and Management teams, and other proposal contributors to write the technical application. The Technical Writer will ensure the application is compliant, cohesive, and aligned with USAID RFSA requirements and Action Against Hunger’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Writing and Development of the Technical Application:

• Read and synthesize background information to support the development of interventions and activities as part of the technical approach.
• Lead the writing of technical sections based on inputs from the Technical Lead, Technical Specialists, and other contributors.
• Write and revise the technical narrative, ensuring that drafts are compliant with USAID RFSA solicitation requirements, such as page limits, font, and formatting.
• Provide input and develop other sections of the proposal as needed (institutional capacity, annexes, CVs, budget notes, etc.)

2. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Participate in and help facilitate preparatory calls, technical discussions and relevant workshops (e.g., theory of change, design workshops) to inform the strategic framework of the proposal.
• Collaborate closely with the Proposal Team Lead and Technical Lead to refine the strategic approach, ensuring consistency across all sections.
• Work with technical specialists to incorporate their inputs into the technical narrative, addressing feedback and resolving any discrepancies.

3. Draft Refinement and Quality Control:

• Ensure the coherence, clarity, and technical quality of the overall proposal package, revising drafts based on input from reviewers, Technical Lead, and Proposal Team Lead.
• Align the technical narrative with other proposal sections, such as the MEAL Work Plan, Staffing Plan, and Institutional Capacity sections.
• Ensure that final drafts of the technical narrative are reviewed and approved by all relevant stakeholders, including country and global technical leads, before submission.

4. Post-Submission Support:

• Assist with any post-submission issues, including BAFO responses or additional revisions requested by USAID BHA, if required.

Location of Assignment:

• Remote, with potential travel to Uganda for design workshops with Action Against Hunger staff and partners.

Requirements

Benefits

Qualifications:

• Proven experience writing technical proposals for USAID, ideally for RFSA or Economic Growth (Feed the Future) programs.
• Strong understanding of food security, livelihoods, and resilience approaches, including the Graduation Model, with the ability to clearly articulate these concepts in written proposals.
• Familiarity with USAID solicitation requirements, including compliance with formatting, page limits, and technical specifications.
• Experience collaborating with technical teams to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and compelling narratives.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a focus on clarity, coherence, and meeting solicitation requirements.
• Familiarity with Uganda or similar contexts is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work cross-culturally and remotely with diverse teams.

Duration and Level of Effort:

Dates of Assignment: October 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025

Level of Effort: Up to 15 days (120 hours)

Daily Rate: The base rate for the Service Provider for the duration of this assignment is $xxx per day, based on a 40-hour workweek. The Service Provider may not work or be reimbursed for hours beyond the maximum approved amount without prior written approval.

Funding: USG Business Development (USRM code).

Travel:

• As part of the RFSA Uganda proposal development efforts, travel may be required to Uganda to work closely with the Proposal Team Lead, Technical Lead, and Action Against Hunger staff. The Service Provider will follow Action Against Hunger’s travel provisions, which include:
• Action Against Hunger will not book consultant travel accommodation. The service provider should book travel in accordance with Action Against Hunger’s lowest logical fare. Action Against Hunger will reimburse the service provider for the fare ticket by including the cost in their standard invoices or immediately after having purchased the ticket with appropriate documentation.
• Necessary and reasonable travel related expenses including meals, transportation, and incidentals such as vaccinations and visa fees incurred in connection with Action Against Hunger will be reimbursed to the service provider by including the costs in their standard invoices with appropriate documentation.
• Reimbursement to the service provider will not exceed the standard per diem rates determined by GSA and the US Department of State current rates. Lodging, meals, and incidentals will not be reimbursed beyond the maximum daily lodging rate per location as determined by GSA or US Department of State.
• The Service Provider will receive the same safety and security arrangements as all ACF USA, but Action Against Hunger will not offer the Service Provider travel insurance. The Service Provider is responsible for their own insurance during the length of their travel.
• The Service Provider will be required to follow the most up-to-date ACF USA security guidelines, including the Action Against Hunger-USA Security Manual, as well as specific security-related rules and regulations included in each Country Office’s security plans and Standard Operating Procedures. Upon arrival, the Service Provider will receive a safety and security briefing and be required to sign a document confirming that they’ve been fully briefed and understand the current security risks and the Country Office’s security plans.
• The Service Provider will charge a flat rate of 8 hours per day during travel periods, inclusive of weekends.