Department Director, Global Accounts & Proposal Management - IFDC

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships toassist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.

Responsibilities

Lead,coach and train the staff responsible for the efficient and agile execution of IFDC’s business development processes, supportingIFDC’s country-led business development approach by supervising two teams:

• • Capture and proposal management & support: A team of Washington, DC-based and Country-based business development associates whosupport rigorous opportunity assessment, capture, and proposal process implementation, ensuring thetimely submission of highquality concept notes, technical and cost proposals;
  • Globalaccount management:Senior manager-level colleagues whoeach leadsmall teams responsible formaintainingrelationships with at least three key sets of IFDC funders, including the US Government; European ODA donorsand foundations.

Capture and Proposal Management & Support

• Definethe vision for IFDC team members in rolessuch as capture and proposal manager, proposal integrator or writer, and/or proposal reviewer,ensuring they can effectively manage multiple proposals and provide capacity development across the Global Business Development Division;
• Coach targeted capture efforts and proposal assessment trips,and review and approve milestone deliverables, such as capture plans and assessment trip reports whichwill form the basis for concept note and proposal writing;
• Facilitate/guide team members through the development of proposal strategy and composition of win themes. Engage in the design team and theory of change development, and ensure compliance with all procurement requirements;
• Write or integrate technical approaches and/or other sections of proposalsfor large, complexefforts;
• Support negotiations of teaming agreements with international partner organizations and local partner teaming agreements.

Key Account Manager, Foundations

• Serve as the Deputy Director and act as the face of IFDC with current and potential Foundation funders at the headquarters level whilecollaborating withCapture and Proposal Managers, Country Directors (CDs) and Program Managers (PMs) in their day-to-day interactions with the Foundation’s representatives at the country level;
• Stay abreast of (new/changing) trends, priorities, demands, and challenges among priorityFoundation funders within IFDC’s strategic areas and offer valuable insights and recommendations to IFDC colleagues about growing funding for additional research or programs;
• Ensure the quality and consistency of IFDC’s technical solutions and communications with Foundation funders throughout the business development and project life cycle to meet funder goals.

Requirements

• An MA, MSc., MBA in a discipline related to sustainable agriculture and international development or equivalent advanced degree is preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in business development and strategic partnerships for international development projects;
• Proventrack record in identifying new business opportunities and leading successful market expansions;
• Strong experience innegotiating and closing complex deals, ideally at the executive level;
• Experience inglobal markets or working with international clients;
• Ability tolead teams, manage cross-functional groups, and collaborate with senior leadership;
• Strongmentorship skills, capable of guiding and developing business development staff;
• Experience withstrategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting for new business initiatives;
• A deep understanding ofmarket research, competitive analysis, and trend analysis to make informed decisions;
• Knowledge of donor relations, proposal writing, and grant managementin development-focused organizations (e.g., NGOs or international development);
• Proficiency in French preferred; proficiencyin Portuguese also desirable;
• Willingness totravel, as the role involves international business development or regional market expansion;
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for drivinginnovative solutions and scaling new opportunities.

Reporting and Work Relationships

This position reports to VP, Business Development andsupervisesSenior Business Development Associate who leads the Capture and Proposal Management and Support Unit,Key Account Manager, Europe andKey Account Manager.

Location

This is an international recruitment with a duty station at the IFDC office based in Washington, DC.