Consultant - Proposal Writer, Haiti Country Program - Remote
Description
Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps Haiti (MCH) provides humanitarian and development programming in the Ouest, Nippes, and Grand’Anse Departments in Haiti and is currently implementing programs in WASH, cash, livelihoods, agriculture, protection, nutrition and disaster and climate risk reduction. In response to the escalating humanitarian crises in Haiti, the Country Office is expanding and strengthening its portfolio. MCH is currently seeking a Proposal Writer to play a leading role in all business development efforts, specifically with the execution of high-quality proposals. MCH will be exploring funding opportunities from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of State (USDS), the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) agency, various United Nations agencies, and potentially other donors. The Consultant will coordinate and act as lead writer for concept note to be submitted to USAID in response to RFQ on Climate Smart Disaster Ready APS Round 2. The concept note template will be provided by Mercy Corps.
The Proposal Writer will work closely with the country office, regional team, and global teams to design and develop competitive concept note based on field research, consultations with key internal and external stakeholders, input from technical and business development experts, and a thorough design process. The key working relationships will be with the Country Director, Director of Programs, Program Manager, Regional Program Officers, and Regional Business Development Advisors.
MCH broad explanations of project idea: - including importantly what you are doing or have recently done in this technical area.
Technical Priority Area 1: Mercy Corps Haiti (MCH) proposes a project focused on scaling innovations in watershed-level management of natural resources to support resilient agriculture and livelihoods. This will include sustainable and community-based approaches integrating nature-based solutions with land, soil, water, and natural resource management on agricultural lands. MCH has advanced sustainable agricultural practices and natural resource management in the Nippes and Grand’Anse departments through the BHA funded RELE program (Aug. 2022 – Aug. 2025). These efforts aim to bolster food security and resilience among vulnerable farmers who cultivate land at the watershed level in rural areas.
The RELE project is anchored around the use of vouchers and an extensive training program that uses subgrants to local Ag CBOs, a ToT Model, and direct training with the local farmers. The curriculum comprised five modules designed to improve the management of farmland on watershed slopes focusing on erosion education and prevention, slope treatment, and smart agroforestry practices that integrate permanent crops, annual intercrops, and agroecological techniques like mulching and composting.
This comprehensive training has effectively managed 948.34 hectares of agricultural plots using these enhanced techniques. MCH has involved the Ministry of Agriculture through the Departmental Agricultural Directorates in the validation of training modules, the organization of training sessions, and follow-up in the field.
Consultant Activities/Deliverables:
Responsibilities will include:
- Project manage the proposal development process, including knowledge sharing, managing timelines, and coordinating proposal contributors.
- Work with country teams and technical advisors to develop strong technical program designs.
- Serve as lead writer for various technical sections in all proposals.
- Review RFPs, notifications, donor requirements, and technical documents related to proposal submission to ensure adherence to donor requirements.
- Review, copy-edit, provide feedback, and lead on overall quality control of the proposal contents provided by various writers and experts.
- Develop initial logframes/results frameworks and participate in technical design sessions as requested.
- Develop and/or review program budgets for quality and adherence to donor and MC global finance requirements.
- Potentially travel to country offices and field locations to participate in design sessions, information gathering activities, and collaborate with proposal team members and country team colleagues, as required.
Timeframe / Schedule:
The deadline for submission of the concept note is January 27, 2025.
The Consultant will report to:
Country Director, MC Haiti
The Consultant will work closely with:
Country Director, Directors of Programs, Program Managers, Finance Manager, Americas Regional Team, Americas Technical Director, Global Technical Advisors and Program Quality Advisors, Global Finance, consortium partners and peer organizations, as appropriate.
Application Process:
Please submit:
- A cover letter,
- CV,
- Technical and financial proposal. The proposal should include (1) a tentative proposal timeline, (2) a partial list of past proposals including donor, location, and values, and (3) daily rate and total cost estimate for the consultancy. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Required Experience & Skills:
- 5-10 years of experience in program design and proposal development in a wide variety of sectors and geographic locations.
- At least 2-3 years’ experience in field-based program and staff management, with relevant regional knowledge.
- Proven experience developing winning proposals, especially for USAID, USAID/BHA
- Proven ability to work productively with a wide variety of stakeholders to run both participatory processes and also meet tight deadlines with an emphasis on producing quality products.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience developing consortia and multiple-partnership arrangements for proposal development.
- Ability to lead teams, handle negotiations and facilitate planning processes.
- Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and in sparse working environments.
- Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills an absolute must.
- Professional proficiency in English/French preferred.
- Education background in agriculture and/or natural resource management is a plus.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.