Alumni Talent Pool: Business Development and Grants Management Roles
Description
The Alumni Talent Pool is open exclusively to former Mercy Corps team members who were employed within the past 4 years and completed at least 1 year of service.
You do not need to submit a cover letter, a CV/Resume is sufficient.
Application Deadline: 24 October 2025
You do not need to submit a cover letter, a CV/Resume is sufficient.
Application Deadline: 24 October 2025
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
The Program
Mercy Corps has created an Alumni Talent Pool to support business development and grants management by fast-tracking Mercy Corps alumni into temporary Business Development and Grants Management roles. The initiative focuses on matching qualified team members with urgent country-based needs, for short-term placements (3 months on average). This is an opportunity that offers more professional and personal flexibility and access to diverse experiences.
The Role
The Role
Mercy Corps alumni who were employed within the last four years and who have proven expertise in business development, proposal design, donor engagement, and grants and awards management will be eligible to join the Alumni Talent Pool. Once selected into the Pool, members will have access to short-term opportunities in countries where Mercy Corps operates. Responsibilities and supervisory structures will vary depending on the type of assignment.
When on assignment, members will be eligible for competitive salary and benefits. The eligible salary ranges and a description of all benefits associated with these short-term positions will depend on the type of employment they are hired under and may vary if this is an expat position, consultancy or if the work is done remotely.
Senior Business Development Advisor (Regional/Multi-Country)
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of proposal development for complex, multi-country, or high-value bids.
- Lead proposal design teams, negotiate partnerships, and ensure technical integration and donor compliance.
- Guide pre-positioning efforts, track donor strategies, and represent Mercy Corps with donors and partners.
- Strengthen country and regional teams’ BD capacity through mentoring, training, and knowledge sharing.
Business Development Manager (Country/Regional Focus)
- Lead and/or support the design of small, medium, and large-scale proposals, including emergency and humanitarian opportunities.
- Manage dispersed proposal teams, coordinate with technical, finance, and compliance colleagues, and oversee cost proposal development.
- Support donor engagement, partnership building, and targeted assessments to increase competitiveness.
- Provide real-time technical support and reviews to strengthen country-led proposal processes.
Grants & Compliance Manager
- Ensure effective award management across a portfolio, including compliance with donor requirements and Mercy Corps’ internal policies.
- Monitor program and financial performance of awards, support timely and high-quality donor reporting, and coordinate with Finance and Compliance.
- Serve as the key point of contact for donor communication on award management issues.
- Support country teams in implementing Program Management Minimum Standards and strengthening systems for reporting, documentation, and compliance.
Start-up BD/Grants Lead
- Provide short-term leadership for business development or grants management during start-up or transitions.
- Establish systems for proposal development, donor reporting, budget tracking, and partner management.
- Work with HR/Admin on rapid recruitment and onboarding of proposal/grants staff.
- Ensure compliance and accountability standards are embedded from the outset.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Works to ensure Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding Standards are integrated and upheld in all areas of HR work.
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
The Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview process and to provide professional references; through which we will assess each candidate’s competency in four priority areas - inclusive people management, results-oriented program management, problem solving, and communication. Those meeting the minimum qualifications and demonstrating competency in the priority areas will be invited to join the Pool.
Once selected into the Alumni Talent Pool, members will provide information about their professional experience, qualifications, availability, and preferences. Pool members will then be matched to specific temporary employment opportunities (on average 3 months) as hiring managers request support from the Talent Pool. Pool members will manage their own time and availability and will have the option to accept or decline any particular assignment.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Successful Talent Pool members are self-starters who are ready to dive into an assignment on short notice. They have a positive attitude, are adaptable to changing circumstances, and are focused on problem solving. They have good self-awareness and understand their personal strengths and development needs, which they continuously work on between assignments. Talent Pool members understand it is a privilege to work in this sector and bring this enthusiasm to all their Mercy Corps assignments.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- BA/S or equivalent in international development, political or social sciences, public administration, business, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- At least 5–7 years of experience in program design, proposal development, business development, donor engagement, grants management, and/or award administration in international relief and development.
- Prior experience with Mercy Corps within the last four years, as an employee and/or consultant (Should have worked with Mercy Corps for at least one year.)
- Demonstrated experience with major donors such as FCDO, ECHO, Sida, US Department of State, UN agencies, and private foundations.
- Proven success in managing large, complex, or multi-country proposal processes and/or in managing donor-funded awards.
- Experience developing budgets and cost proposals and understanding staffing/personnel requirements for institutional donor submissions.
- Knowledge of donor compliance requirements and award management systems.
- Exceptional writing, negotiation, and partner coordination skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Professional-level proficiency in at least one of Mercy Corps’ working languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian); proficiency in multiple languages strongly preferred.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
Living conditions will depend on the location of assignment but may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing will depend on the assigned post and will be specified in the position description.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Team Engagement and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).