Regional Business Development Specialist for South Asia Programme

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Handicap International Federation (HI) also known as Humanity & Inclusion globally, is an independent and impartial aid organization, created in 1982, working across 60 countries. HI works alongside the vulnerable populations, whatever the context, taking action to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. 

HI South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) Regional Programme is seeking applications from qualified local candidates for it’s national position of Regional Business Development Specialist. 

Position Title: Regional Business Development Specialist for South Asia Programme

Mission: Under the authority of the Regional Technical Head of the Programme (THOP), and in collaboration with the Regional Programme Director (RPD), Country Managers/Country Directors and Operations Managers, Regional Business Development Specialist (RBDS)) actively contributes to the development of the programme by designing, implementing and monitoring the fundraising strategies (including sectorial fundraising strategies/action plans) of the South Asia Regional program. He/she identifies funding opportunities and leads the process of developing concept notes and project proposals through to submission to donors (public institutions, foundations and the private sector). 

Location: Colombo/Dhaka/Kathmandu/Noida (any of the 4 locations as per nationality of candidate)

Terms & Conditions: Fixed Term 3 years (Renewable) Contract

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Positioning:

• Observe donor strategies and priorities at country/regional level and monitor opportunities in order to anticipate calls for proposals and identify bidding opportunities
• Participate in the development and monitoring of the operational strategy, with particular focus on the fundraising strategies and action plan (including sectorial fundraising action plans)
• Ensure follow up, implementation and monitoring of the fundraising strategies and action plans in the country/region
• Lead in development and implementation of donor engagement plan and ensure regular/periodic interaction with identified donors to understand their perception of HI's current programming, and identify their areas of interest in order to target fundraising efforts
• Draw up a mapping of other humanitarian and development actors (INGOs, UN agencies, government representations) to monitor trends and remain competitive
• Analyse fundraising trends and inform the program (Institutional Funding -IF Boost Cell in the region) on transformation rate, project coverage, duration and amounts secured
• Coordinate fundraising efforts, especially networking, monitoring of donor opportunities; and share relevant information to IF Boost Cell members.
• Liaise and mobilise adequate team members to support fundraising efforts (regional technical specialists, regional programme director, THOP, Country Managers etc). Organise regular meetings with regional programme directors, country managers/directors, operational manager, THOP to update and plan fund raising initiatives in the country/region.
• Coordinate with other programmes/countries to gather and promote best practices, facilitate dialogue with donors (for prospection / replication of activities)
• As a member of core team of South Asia IF Boost Cell, play a secretariate role to organise period meetings of the IF Boost Cell, developing meeting minutes, and tracking action points of the Cell,
• Ensure monitoring progress on key indicators of regional fund raising strategy, STRATOP’s fund raising related KPIs and MBOs (Management By Objectives- indicators) in monthly basis.

2. Relationship Management: 

• Work with the Regional Program Director, Country Managers/Directors, and Regional Technical Specialists to strengthen HI's attractiveness and influence, developing key relationships with relevant decision makers in, national and regional organizations, donors, UN agencies and major international organizations
• Develop active and quality working relationships with donors and strategic partners in the country identify potential consortium
• Lead in development and implementation of donor engagement plan to influence the identified donors in the region/countries
• Participate in various platforms and meetings on behalf of the RPD to increase HI's visibility and allow for information gathering on funding opportunities
• Promote HI's technical positioning, approaches, know-how and skills within the relevant networks with a view to developing consortium agreements with the support of the Country Managers/Directors, Regional Technical Specialists and THOP
• Develop supporting documents, such as "project sheets" and/or "donor sheets"; and develop new tools such as capacity statement of HI in country and region (including sector wise in the country and region)
• Ensure set-up or implementation of a CRM policy/guideline in the region/countries and ensure that it is updated as necessary

3. Proposal Developments:

• Coordinate proposal development, distributing tasks among the key people involved the design and writing of the project proposal for submission to the donor, in accordance with HI's proposal writing process and tools (PD-tool, project proposal development tracking/monitoring tool -PDMT, proposal development ARCI, etc.), including the development of: logical frameworks, theory of change, MEAL plan, narrative description of technical approach, cross-cutting approaches, planning, staffing and budgeting
• Ensure coordination and triangulation framing with O², IPSO, HQ shared services, HQ PDO and technical referent staff, as relevant.
• Proactively coordinate the involvement and input of all relevant technical specialists (regional, country and HQ staff) for all proposal development
• Identify, where appropriate, relevant/competitive arrangements (consortia, multi-country projects, etc.) and facilitate negotiations
• For consortia: ensure coordination and communication, and manage stakeholder input during project development
• Review the project proposal/final concept note prior to submission for compliance with donor guidelines and expectations, consistency between the budget and the technical description, activities and overall quality
• Proceed (if necessary) with the final submission of concept notes and project proposals to donors
• Coordinate and collaborate with HI National Associations (IPO/IPSO) for all relevant donor proposals.

4. Capacity Building:

• Develop training modules on proposal writing and project cycle management for all programme’s staff and local partners when relevant.
• Provide training on donor rules, regulations and strategies for all programme’s staff involved in the writing of the proposal.

Qualification and Skills Required:

• Master's degree in international development or social development or any other relevant field. 
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in project proposal development and donor relationship management (including experience in consortium and local partnership development)
• Experience of providing context, needs and donor analysis
• Expertise in wining project proposal development with excellent writing skills
• Proficient in facilitating project design workshop in collaboration with HI team, consortium partners and local partners
• Strong analytical and excellent communication and representation skills
• Strong in framing financial proposition/budget development
• Creativity to explore innovative ways of developing existing opportunities and/ or acquiring new grants
• Knowledge on The Fundamentals of Disability and Inclusion, Rehabilitation, Inclusive Health, Inclusive Education, Economic Inclusion, Post-Emergency Measures will be an added advantage
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

To Apply:

Send a motivation letter mentioning position applied for and expected salary and an updated CV including 2 referees with contact number and e-mail address to recruitment@southasia.hi.org no later than 9th September, 2024. HI South Asia Programme reserves the right to cancel, postpone or modify the whole recruitment process and reject any application without specifying any reasons whatsoever.

Handicap International (HI) is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women, people with disability, and members from disadvantaged communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

HI firmly believes in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organization. This is why we are committed to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. Please indicate if you require any special accommodations, including participation in the first interview.  

Candidates applying for a job with HI must be ready to comply with our Child Protection Policy, and Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment. HI Nepal has a zero tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the values and mission of HI, hence, all selected candidates are expected to adhere to these standards and principles.