Senior Specialist, Program Design

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. 

Overview: 

The Program Design Team (PDT) designs compelling, high-quality proposals aimed at driving increased impact and revenue from key funding partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and major multinational corporations. While involved in all stages of Program Development (PD), the primary focus of the Senior Specialist role is to support the Program Design Team (PDT) and Global Program Development function to design impactful projects and write persuasive proposals. The Senior Specialist will support the development of targeted proposals and concepts and work with geographic teams to develop pitches for regional and local funders.

Key Responsibilities:

FUNCTION AS PROPOSAL WRITER FOR TARGETED PROPOSALS AND CONCEPTS

The Senior Specialist will design and write concepts and smaller value (< $3m) proposals with regional and local funders such as small bilateral donors, foundations, and corporations - including full proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest, and capture trip reports.

Additionally, they will serve as a section writer, integrating specialized inputs into the technical proposal narratives (e.g., executive summary, technical approach, management plan, organizational capacity, monitoring and evaluation plan, implementation plan, etc.) as well as support impact and other financial modeling needs.

Estimated level of effort: 40%

SUPPORT PROGRAM DESIGN TEAM

The Senior Specialist will work directly with PDT members to design projects and write larger value, more strategic proposals. Responsibilities include conducting desk and field-based in-depth research in TechnoServe’s primary technical domains – Regenerative Agriculture, Enterprise Development, and Local Food Systems. Within each technical domain and cross-cutting disciples–Gender, Youth, and Technology, the Senior Specialist will work with PD’s Knowledge Management team to document current approaches, frameworks, models, and tools so that others can easily adapt and utilize them for program design efforts, proposals, marketing materials, or other documents.  They will also support the PDT and Global PD in leveraging AI tools to improve productivity and performance. Additionally, they will coordinate with the Corporate Measurement team to contribute to impact measurement learnings and innovations. As needed, the Senior Specialist will attend relevant webinars, workshops, and other events to stay ahead of program trends.

Estimated level of effort: 30%

SUPPORT IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The Senior Specialist will support the Opportunity & Proposal Development and Lead Generation workstream leads to develop and produce presentations and guidance documents, as well as support training initiatives.  Other tasks may include improving new business performance through enhanced research and processes and tools. The Senior Specialist will research, document, and disseminate information on funders relevant to key technical areas to inform longer-term approaches to customer relationship management. They will also research competitors, academia, and the broader private sector to identify new or improved practices and tools.

Estimated level of effort: 20%

PROVIDE SURGE CAPACITY FOR GLOBAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

As needed, the Senior Specialist will coordinate larger proposals and support targeted writing, editing, and sometimes management requests as needed on concept notes, proposals, and recon/capture trip efforts.

Estimated level of effort: 10%

Basic Qualifications: