Program Development Specialist

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years.

TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development.

But they face many challenges : low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change.

For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty.

The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach.

Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Job Summary :

The Program Development Headquarters (PDHQ) team provides centralized support and guidance to TechnoServe’s divisions and country offices in the identification, design, and development of new business initiatives that support our mission and help us achieve our targets.

We work closely with TechnoServe’s country field offices and technical practice areas to develop winning proposals with a range of public funders.

The Program Development Specialist is a central part of the PDHQ team and will play a key role in helping to expand the organization’s business solutions to poverty.

The Specialist will work closely with new business managers in each geographic region as well as country field offices. They will be a dynamic participant in all aspects of program development, gaining exposure to innovative interventions focused on strengthening market systems and agricultural value chains;

developing small and growing businesses; and implementing regenerative solutions that combat climate change by strengthening, rather than degrading, natural ecosystems and communities.

The Program Development Specialist role is a unique and exciting opportunity to start or further a career in new business development and / or international development.

• The role provides exposure and experience to the entire new business and program design process : understanding the donor and partner landscape;
• identifying and generating new program opportunities; designing high-quality, impactful programs; developing compelling, winning proposals;

and identifying lessons learned from other TechnoServe programs to continuously adapt and improve our new program designs.

Through this role, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to build a strong foundation for a successful career in international development and / or new business development.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities :

Supports all aspects of proposal development, including coordinating complex efforts with dispersed proposal team members, customizing past performance references, editing and formatting technical proposals, drafting staffing and management sections, strengthening candidate CVs, and supporting recon and capture efforts.

Supports concept note development.

• Contributes to improved efficiency and effectiveness of PD operations through process improvement and knowledge management, including updating and expanding PD resources and tools.
• Supports organizational engagement with TechnoServe’s priority funders, coordinating outreach efforts with technical and regional leads, overseeing pipeline development, sharing funder learnings across the organization, and capturing knowledge on TechnoServe's Salesforce CRM.
• Researches core funders and partners in support of the capture process and conducts desk and field research as required to support program development.

Tracks, identifies, and distributes new funding opportunities to key decision-makers.

• Updates and expands PD resources available on the corporate intranet.
• Takes and distributes notes on outcomes of global PD meetings.
• Attends and reports on donor and practitioner meetings to stay ahead of latest donor trends.
• Leads recruitment of consultants to support program development and key personnel for proposals.

Basic Qualifications :

• A Bachelor’s Degree with 3 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 1 year of relevant experience in international relations, economics, business, or other related field
• Strong editing / proofreading skills and ability to ensure production of documents that are clear, concise, and grammatically correct
• Demonstrated ability to work with multicultural, geographically distributed teams both in-person and through digital channels

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience working on a new business development team in a high performing international development organization preferred
• Prior proposal development experience a plus
• Spanish, French, or Portuguese language skills a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• High level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Team player with strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
• Proven ability to successfully execute complex tasks working independently
• Self-starter with strong time management skills and a focus on results
• Proven ability to anticipate demand, manage multiple tasks / projects, and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; desktop publishing skills a plus
• Quantitative analysis skills a plus

Applicants for this position must have U.S. work authorization at the time of application. This is a hybrid position, and employees are expected work from Arlington, VA headquarters twice per week.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV / AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.