Program Development Advisor

BACKGROUND

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK

IRC UK was established in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with policymakers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC UK has grown rapidly and now comprises approximately 170 staff.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.

Team Overview

The IRC Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the United States and in Europe. With a network of 25 offices in 15 U.S. states, RAI serves more than 35,000 individuals each year, among them some 10,000 newly arrived refugees, through a diverse portfolio of programs. In Europe, IRC operates across four countries and provides technical assistance to more than 10 others to ensure that the most vulnerable asylum-seekers and migrants have the necessary support to feel safe and well, get the services they need day to day, and become financially independent from the time they arrive, throughout their journeys, and in their new homes

The Purpose of the Role

As Programme Development Advisor (PDA) you will support business development efforts for Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) programming in Europe.

This includes opportunity tracking and capture planning to proposal development and submission. The PDA will support the Proposal Manager or Proposal Coordinator roles on new business opportunities. The PDA will lead and/or support special internal initiatives aligned with IRC’s business development strategy. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of working on new business efforts from the European Commission and other governmental/statutory donors in Europe; US Government experience a plus. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and assist in the identification, tracking and updating of new business opportunities across a variety of technical sectors, regions, and clients.
• Lead capture planning including facilitating technical brainstorming, competitive landscape analysis and win theme sessions with technical and field staff.
• Coordinate proposal work to include preparing timelines, ensuring the proposal team adheres to deadlines, supporting recruitment, assisting in budget development, ensuring document completion, organizing meetings and compiling notes, and drafting and proofreading proposal sections.
• Work with technical units, RAI offices, and other staff to support conceptualization and design of proposals for new project activities and/or amendments to current projects.
• Identifying partners, consultants, and other proposal development support as needed.
• Write proposal pieces including technical narrative, management plans, past performance, etc.
• Compile inputs from proposal team members, including consultants and partners.
• Ensure responsiveness to and compliance with solicitation documents.
• Provide Quality Assurance/Quality Compliance support on proposals.
• Maintain accurate information in database and assist with conducting analysis of proposal development; and maintain accurate and timely electronic files.
• Work collaboratively on organizational and system improvements; anticipate, identify and proactively solve problems.
• Facilitate internal post-submission debrief sessions to glean lessons learned.

Key Working Relationships

•  Reports to Senior Programme Development Adviser.
•  Works closely with RAI country offices, technical, and grants staff with regards to business development.
• Provides expertise and guidance to RAI offices on business development through regular emails and call and periodic travel to office sites.
• Has regular contact with HQ technical, finance, HR, and other staff involved in business development.