Call for Experts – Technical and Writing Support Services

Duties :

The Specialists / Writers will undertake some or all of the following specific tasks for proposal development :

• Write the technical approach or specific technical proposal sections, as requested
• Absorb desk research provided by IESC and conduct independent desk research, as needed
• Review and analyze the solicitation and identify and highlight issues / questions that require further research
• Offer options for effective approaches to achieve the goals of the program
• Develop annotated outlines within designated page allotment (planned per subsection) responsive to bid document that follows IESC provided templates
• Participate in design meetings with IESC, as requested
• Design the program approach and key activities, including guidance on the cost of activities.
• Provide input on the design of graphics reflective of the proposed technical approach
• Conduct capture trips to gather information necessary to prepare a tailored technical approach, assess the feasibility of approach, ground truth collected information, and interview local experts and partners
• Work closely with, and incorporate technical input from local resource people and partners as appropriate including local technical advisors
• Incorporate written and oral comments / recommendations from Proposal Review Panels
• Recommend feasible organizational structure and assist with recruiting expat and local consultants and staff, as needed
• Other tasks as assigned

The Specialists / Writers may provide some or all of the following support for programmatic reporting :

• Design, implement, and report on program and / or component level evaluations. Work closely with field team in the design of questions, data collection, and in analysis of the data.
• Design and create knowledge products, such as case studies, toolkits, resource / best practices guides, etc.
• Contribute in writing programmatic reports, particularly mid-term and final project reports.
• Conduct and report on desk level research and secondary market research reports to complement field-based knowledge and to share examples and ideas of similar project ideas in other parts of the world.

Qualifications :

The technical fields where we seek talent include, but are not limited to :

• Value chain / Agribusiness analysis and development
• Enterprise development
• Workforce development
• Youth strategies related to trade, youth and workforce development, market-driven agriculture, business enabling environment, enterprise finance and investment
• Gender strategies related to trade, youth and workforce development, market-driven agriculture, business enabling environment, enterprise finance and investment
• Entrepreneurship
• Trade capacity building related to business enabling environment, policy, regulations, and procedures, to export business enhancement
• Microfinance / Access to Finance / Financial Inclusion
• SME Finance / Banking / Investment
• Value chain / Agriculture finance
• Impact / Emerging market investing
• Digital Finance / mobile banking
• Private sector approaches in Clean Power / Energy, Health care, and Tourism

The relevant knowledge and skill sets where we seek talent include, but are not limited to :

• Excellent writing skills and proven capabilities in proposal development.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in the fields of economic growth and development finance are required. However, it is not required that each specialist / writer have expertise in all categories.
• Applicants should have a minimum five years of experience working in international development and experience with USAID and other donor proposal and procurement processes.
• On-the-ground technical implementation experience is preferred.
• Strong project management and organizational skills : Ability to work under pressure in order to meet deadlines, attention to detail, thoroughness and accuracy are critical.
• Excellent team communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills - including written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English language is required.
• Knowledge of other languages, such as French and Arabic is a plus.
• U.S. citizen or eligibility to work in the U.S.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.