DESCRIPTION:

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking a dynamic and driven candidate to join the Business Development Unit at its headquarters in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.

The Consultant will contribute to IWMI’s resource mobilization and partnership activities. The role will encompass both administrative and technical aspects of the proposal development process. Working closely with the Business Development team, the Consultant will assist in various tasks, including leading the Funding Opportunity Review Team (FORT) process, developing proposal documents, researching donors and partners, and preparing donor communications materials.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support Proposal Development:

• Lead the coordination and preparation of proposal submissions. Develop bid schedules and organize meetings with proposal teams and other internal and external stakeholders, as necessary.
• Support proposal teams in developing and compiling non-technical proposal submission requirements, such as CVs, project experience references, and other supporting documents required for submission, contracting, and due diligence checks. Format and copyedit proposals prior to submission.
• Review the requirements of opportunities being pursued and determine eligibility, deadlines, and responsibilities, ensuring proposals are of high quality and submitted on time.
• Lead the development of opportunity summaries for review by FORT.
• Lead the development of weekly BDU updates.

2. Support Implementation of the Organizational Growth Strategy:

• Support the implementation and delivery of BDU’s strategic tasks to improve tools, systems, and processes.
• Generate data and analysis from the proposal pipeline and dashboard, which can be used to understand where resource mobilization efforts should be focused.
• Analyze country/regional-level funding priorities and opportunities and support the development of Country Resource Mobilization Plans.
• Support pipeline development for individual country offices.
• Prepare materials for the OGS Partnership Working Group.

3. Support Partnership and Donor Engagement and Management:

• Support the implementation of the IWMI Partnerships Strategy and Action Plan.
• Identify new donors through analysis of foundations and private sector donors.
• Create donor profile analyses and conduct research on donors’ thematic and geographic priorities, including bilateral, multilaterals, foundations, and private sector.
• Analyze potential partners at the pre-proposal and proposal stages, including conducting due diligence where necessary.

4. Development of BDU Communication Materials:

• Lead the development of briefing notes and coordinate communication materials for donor visits and events, in collaboration with the communications department.
• Lead the creation of donor-related communications, including annual report content, press releases, stories, and blogs for projects and new funding opportunities.
• Support the development of country briefs and donor stewardship reports.

Deliverables

• Support the development and submission of at least 12 funding proposals.
• Prepare 50 BDU weekly updates for researchers.
• Prepare 20+ funding opportunities for FORT review.
• Finalize 2+ BDU communication materials.
• Perform additional duties, responsibilities, and ad hoc tasks as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline relevant to IWMI’s mandate.
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilization within the international development and/or Research for Development sector.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development and submission, including both the preparation and processing of funding proposals to ODA donors.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and analysis and providing assessments and intelligence on funding opportunities and donor priorities.

Desirable

• Prior experience in South Asia is desired.
• Prior experience with IWMI or another CGIAR center is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Essential

• Understanding of the research content across the scope of IWMI’s work and demonstrated knowledge of the R4D funding landscape.
• Willingness and ability to be based full-time in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to meet multiple tight deadlines with a sense of urgency and responsibility; ability to multitask and work under pressure.

Desirable

• Understanding of, and experience working with, development actors and partners related to IWMI’s research-for-development activities is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of water sector stakeholders (donors, partners) and experience in the water sector is highly desirable.
• Strong research, ideation, and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

LANGUAGE PROFICINECY:

• Excellent oral and presentation skills in English language, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication ability is essential.

Benefits

This is an internationally hired consultancy; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive monthly rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of twelve (12) months.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on October 29, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.