Senior Technical Advisor II, New Business Development Unit

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $150 million and more than 750 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

The Senior Technical Advisor II will lead, support, or participate in relevant proposals for governmental and other donors, contributing to the overall growth of IREX, and will identify, design, and secure new funding opportunities to expand IREX's program opportunities in core program areas worldwide. The Senior Technical Advisor II will support effective implementation of the IREX's Business Development Annual Business Plan, the NBDU strategy and the expected results of the NBDU goals, and aspects of the annual business plan of the Strategic Partnerships Unit.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in a relevant field preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience
• 10+ years of relative experience in international development.
• 5-8 years of new business development experience and an established network of international development client, partner, and practitioner contacts in sectors relevant to data and digital development.
• 3-5 years of experience in researching, testing, and/or applying digital development, data use and innovation tools and approaches to projects in developing countries, with appropriate international field experience required.
• Experience with capture, design, and writing for winning proposals for donor funded projects, a preference for a positive track record designing and drafting proposals in response to USAID and/or other donor-funded program solicitations.
• Seasoned team player with a dedication to collaborative program design and proposal development processes that inclusively leverage the expertise and diverse perspectives of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices, approaches, and Principles for Digital Development. Familiarity with current research, trends in emerging technologies, technical frameworks, and on-the-ground implementation approaches in the digital development, data use, and innovation fields.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, high level of reliability, and track record of follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives.
• Willingness to travel internationally, estimated at up to 20% of the time.
• Ability to conceptualize and write winning proposals for projects funded by the Department of State, USAID, and other donors.
• Technical expertise in best practices, approaches, and Principles for Digital Development strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage proposal development efforts and ensure quality and timely submission.
• Ability to remotely cultivate new partnerships and build complementary consortia for effective program implementation.
• Strong donor, partner, and peer collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, intercultural and collaboration skills.
• Analytical and strong writing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including governments, private sector, civil society, etc.
• Fluent, professional, written and spoken English required; other languages encouraged.

• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in the country where you reside.

Your Daily Tasks

• Lead or support entire proposal development process, from capture to submission.
• Write technical narratives, concepts, expressions of interest, or other documents.
• Identify and meaningfully engage potential international and local partners in proposal development processes.
• Promote IREX's participation and represent IREX in conferences, industry functions, and donor-driven fora.
• Lead IREX’s new business development and strategic positioning efforts in data and digital development.
• Provide technical expertise for the new business team across the digital development sector in areas such as rights-respecting technology deployment, digital democracy, digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, gender digital inclusion, among others.
• Lead proposal development efforts to ensure quality and timely submission using consistent business development processes.
• Write technical narratives, concepts, expressions of interest, or other documents focused on digital development.
• Track and gain intelligence to advance IREX' s new business opportunities, including through capture and reconnaissance missions.
• Conduct market and donor assessments, and analysis of digital development programs in the sector with the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of IREX’s proposals.
• Identify and assess gaps in IREX’s digital development capabilities and proactively address those gaps in collaboration with IREX’s Strategy and Development Group and in coordination with IREX’s Global Programs and Development Gateway.
• Work in close partnership with IREX subsidiary Development Gateway, ensuring a pipeline of collaborative new business opportunities.
• Leverage technical expertise to increase quality of proposals and IREX positioning.
• Contribute to ensure IREX is fully prepared to pursue new business opportunities.
• Identify and build meaningful partnerships with international and local partners working in the digital development space, ensuring new partners are engaged in the proposal process.
• Promote IREX's participation and represent IREX in conferences, industry functions, and donor-driven fora related to digital development.
• Oversee the development of relevant new business promotional materials and their dissemination to target audiences.
• Engage partners in developing appropriate, competitive, and comprehensive cost proposals.
• Coordinate closely with Senior Budget Specialist to ensure program design is accurately represented in cost proposals.
• Support collection of costing inputs to ensure reasonableness of cost proposals.
• Coordinate closely with Practice Leadership and program teams throughout proposal development processes.
• Help identify COPs and other key personnel and participate in interviews.
• Mentor and train staff and interns when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

You will Get:

Committed, passionate, collaborative, and mission-driven colleagues who make IREX a good place to work. You will receive best-in-class learning, development, and growth opportunities, as well as a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive. This includes a well-being and employee assistance program, health coverage, a flexible work schedule, a generous PTO policy, a technology stipend, a diverse and inclusive work environment, and many more benefits.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework and Remote Work.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.