Technical Proposal Strategy Leader Client: Management Sciences for Health (http://www.msh.org) Location: Arlington, VA or Cambridge, MA USA Overall Responsibilities The Technical Proposal Strategy Leader contributes to creating winning MSH proposals by leading the development and articulation of the technical strategy in response to Request for Proposals/Request for Applications (RFP/A’s).Working with technical contributors, country experts, Results Management (RMS), Human Resources (HR), Business Resource Development (BRD) and contracts, s/he harnesses MSH’s technical, country, project management and business development expertise to conceptualize the overall strategic framework encompassing all MSH experience and expertise. Supervising the Senior Technical Writer and working closely with the Director of International Program Development (DPID), technical contributors, and others, the Technical Proposal Strategy Leader has final responsibility for the development, presentation and articulation of the technical strategy and subsequent technical approach (including draft work plans, implementation plans, and performance monitoring plans) ensuring it (a) is responsive to the RFP/A and the local country(ies) context, (b) is technically outstanding, current and innovative, (c) can be successfullyimplemented by MSH and its partners with the human resources and budgets proposed. During the proposal process, the Technical Proposal Strategy Leader will report to the lead center for the specific bid, regardless of their ‘professional home.’Engagement of the Technical Proposal Strategy Leader with a specific proposal effort begins before release of procurement (to set the stage for immediate inputs), or promptly upon release of the procurement, and continues throughout the proposal development process up to completion of final negotiations with donor. Role Overall the Technical Proposal Strategy Leader role is as follows: (1)Strategizing – Identifying (a) the critical elements that have to be brought together over the life of a project in order for the results to be real and sustainable and (b) the dynamics that have to be created or harnessed for success. (2)Conceptualizing – Presenting a graphic model depicting the strategy that becomes the roadmap for the technical approach.Well-articulated strategies that can be illustrated in one graphic show an understanding of the country’s development challenge, as well as the technical needs to accomplish the projects goals. (3)Building the Technical Approach – Building on the conceptual model, the technical approach presents the project strategy to obtain intermediate results in the short, medium, and long terms. A technical approach will explain things like, for example, how local organizations and partners will beused, how training will be sequenced, how government capacity will be strengthened (ST or TA), and how key technical and management interventions will be implemented.The technical strategy will reflect best practices and/or MSH’s field experiences and results. Responsibilities with the Proposal Team •Lead development of the technical strategy for proposals from submission thru final award, supervising the Technical Writer and working closely with the DIPD, the technical contributors, and the proposal team. •As much as possible engage with the working group and proposal team during the positioning phase to identify initial evidence-based strategy, partner and staffing strategy, and client responsiveness strategy. •Work in close collaboration with the DIPD for effective management of proposal development calendar, proposal budget development and cost strategy, determination of partners, negotiations with partners, creation of the project organogram, and timely submission of proposal. •Work with Results Management System (RMS) team to development the Results Framework and M&E Plan. •Work closely with HRM in designing job descriptions, with the lead technical Center to select key proposed staff (especially the Chief of Party and the project’s leadership team) and with the DIPD to determine compliance of staff with RFA/P and, as much as possible, with MSH’s standard core competencies expected of project leadership teams. •Work with CG&A to ensure match between technical strategy and business proposal/budgets. •Supervise technical writers to ensure that they follow the technical strategy outline and capture the above technical inputs to create a solid, readable, and highly responsive technical proposal. •Responsible for mentoring and assessing the proposal performance of promising technical strategists from within MSH. Responsibilities on the Proposal •Prior to, or immediately upon release of the RFA/RFP (before the internal decision-making process known as SWAT III), assemble relevant technical contributors and field implementers to develop the draft technical strategy taking into account relevant public health best practices, state-of-the–art approaches, in-country or global field experiences thatare incorporated in an integrated technical proposal responsive to the RFP/A, and implemented in the local context •Ensure timely completion of the process of understanding the requirements of the procurement, known as the “stripping” document, summarizing themes, requirements of the RFP/A, requirements communicated through donor answers to questions, and other responsiveness information. •Lead the SWAT IV technical discussion to confirm technical strategy and include inputs from the field and relevant technical contributors, resulting in refinement of the technical strategy. •Develop the winning approach (Win Bundle) in collaboration with the DIPD (reflecting inputs from other technical contributors), including (a) win themes (MSH’s unique selling points), (b) technical strategy outline, (c) results framework, (d) staffing plan and organogram, (e) partnering plan and (f) cost strategy plan.The win bundle must be signed off by the VP BRD and VP from lead Center. •Lead the SWAT Five discussion with partners on technical strategy, reflecting inputs from relevant technical contributors and cost contributors resulting in formalizing the technical strategy. •Periodically review the technical draft, participating in SWAT Seven to ensure it captures thestrategic inputs. •Review and approve the final technical proposal before it is signed off by the BRD VP and VP of the lead Center for the proposal. •Lead preparation of technical responses to BAFO questions and face-to-face interviews/oral presentations to client regarding technical strategy (including coaching of proposed staff to be interviewed). Qualifications •Proven leader with strong track record of developing winning proposals for USAID.Experience writing successful proposals for other donors and funders highly desirable. •Prior experience in proposal and program design, management and/or evaluation, including team planning and facilitation; strong team-building/management skills; strong strategy development capabilities; organizational and communication skills. •Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience; work experience that exemplifies familiarity with deadlines and work flow as well as the ability to assume initiative and work under pressure; at least five years experience with international donor systems. •Experience in global health development strongly preferred, including an understanding of the implications of project design for project implementation. •Overseas experience with at least 2 years long term resident experience in a developing county preferred (or equivalent experience in short term assignments in developing countries) preferred.Experience in field projects senior management desirable. •Excellent team leader, group facilitator and communicator.Ability to mobilize teams under pressure and resolve team differences. Able to think strategically, make critical decisions, and handle change rapidly and effectively.Able to accurately communicate strategy orally, in writing and graphically. •Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field. •Proficiency in a relevant foreign language (French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic) preferred. Application Process: Please send via email a cover letter explaining how you believe your skills and experiences meet the needs of the position and the organization along with an updated copy of your resume/CV to: Patrick Shields Global Recruitment Specialists 501 Westport Avenue, Suite 285 Norwalk, CT 06851 USA Phone: 203-899-0499 Email: Shields@globalrecruitment.net Web: http://www.globalrecruitment.net To see a complete list of current positions GRS is recruiting for its clients visit: http://www.globalrecruitment.net/positionsavailable.html