United States of America: USAID Business Development Consultant

Organizational Background:
Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is a service-based human rights organization headquartered in Chicago whose mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change. HAI specializes in two core program areas: trauma-informed mental health and access to justice, while taking a human rights approach and integrating a progressive gender analysis into all of its programming.

Overview:
Heartland Alliance International recently finalized a five year strategic plan, which includes ambitious growth targets. Key to the success of those targets is the acquisition of larger grants, specifically from USAID. This consultancy will provide HAI with a five-year plan for USAID proposal submissions by assessing HAI’s current grant acquisition strategy and process, and providing recommendations on the process and structural changes that will be required for HAI to successfully win larger USAID grants.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct a document review and participate in meetings to better understand HAI’s current strategic plan, existing grants, proposal process, and proposal development team structure both in Chicago and in the field.
• Assess HAI’s existing business development structure and composition and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Complete a market analysis for USAID funding opportunities taking into account HAI’s key areas of expertise in trauma-informed mental health and access to justice as well as its geographic scope.
• Conduct an analysis of the partner/competitive landscape relative to HAI’s key areas of expertise and size.
• Develop a strategy that:
  1. Identifies specific funding opportunities to track,
  2. Provides recommendations for targeted outreach with USAID and other potential partners,
  3. Provides information on budgeting for proposal development,
  4. Identifies a subbing strategy,
  5. Identifies opportunities for which HAI can prime and provides a strategy that positions HAI to win those bids, and
  6. Provides recommendations on an organizational structure that would position HAI to win these grants.

Deliverables:
The Business Development Consultant will complete the deliverables below:

• A final report including the points listed in the key responsibilities section above.
• A final presentation to HAI leadership summarizing the main contents of the report and communicating recommendations for grant acquisition strategy

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or competencies required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The selected candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in leading business development teams on successful USAID bids;
• The selected candidate will demonstrate ability to analyze and learn about organizational culture, structure, opportunities, and constraints so as to deliver a tailored plan/set of recommendations.
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to maintain organizational confidentiality;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and demonstrated ability to write and clearly articulate ideas. Fluency in English essential.

Timeline:
This assignment is expected to require about 15-20 working days starting in March 2016.

Please submit a proposal, including cover letter and CV, to HAInternational@heartlandalliance.org, with “Business Development Consultant” in the subject line no later than March 11, 2016.