Cost Proposal Manager

Company: TechnoServe
Location: Arlington
Posted on: January 21, 2023

Job Description:

DescriptionEveryone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe's work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Sr. Manager of Pricing and Procurement, the Cost Proposal Manager is responsible for ensuring TechnoServe develops cost-effective, competitive cost proposals that fully cover TechnoServe's direct and indirect costs. The Cost Proposal Manager leads cost proposals for large and complex projects across TechnoServe's regional divisions, and reviews and approves smaller cost proposals and budget realignments developed by other TechnoServe personnel.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

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• Review and analyze donor solicitations to understand the terms and conditions and guide/advise Proposal Managers on unique or risky contract terms.
  
• Represent the Cost & Pricing Team in Strategic Resources Committee meetings to advise on risks for go/no-go
  
• Prepare clarification questions to donors/clients in response to solicitations.
  
• Adapt current TechnoServe budget templates to meet specific needs of funder solicitations, or develop new templates as needed.
  
• Lead and develop cost proposals across TechnoServe's regional divisions and donors in coordination with the Operations and Program Development teams, ensuring alignment between the technical proposal and budget. Participate in program design discussions and advise on cost effective approaches to the technical design and management plan. Budget for full cost recovery while also making a strong business case to the funder for the value for money offered by TechnoServe.
  
• Oversee budgets developed by external partners, reviewing subrecipient cost proposals and providing feedback and advisory to these partners to ensure their budgets align with the technical design and meet TechnoServe and donor standards.
  
• Review and approve cost proposals developed by other cost and pricing staff or regional financial staff, providing guidance on best practices to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
  
• Manage budget realignments with project management and finance staff during program implementation to ensure accuracy and continued alignment with funder regulations, agreement conditions, and TechnoServe standards.
  
• Train other cost and pricing staff as well as relevant Program Development, Operations, and Finance staff on cost proposal development.
  
• Review draft award terms related to budget and financial reporting and flag items for clarification/negotiation before award signature, and manage handover of the budget and financial reporting requirements to the project team.
  
• Maintain a library of cost data used for new cost proposals.
  
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.
  
  Basic Qualifications:
  
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  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field, with minimum of 7years of experience, preferably in international development; or Masters degree with minimum of 5 years of experience.
    
  • Proven analytic and budgeting skills, including the ability to model the costs of different program designs.
    
  • Experience developing and managing large cost proposals for a wide variety of donors and clients, including US government, foreign governments, foundations, and corporate donors, under a range of budget mechanisms (cost reimbursement, fixed price, fixed labor rate/T&M, CPFF, etc.)
    
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel.
    
  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills
    
    Preferred Qualifications:
    
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    • Spanish and/or French language skills highly desirable; Portuguese skills also desirable.
      
      Travel: Travel may be required; must be able to travel on short notice for up to two weeks at a time.
      Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
      
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      • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse groups of US and international colleagues.
        
      • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
        
      • Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
        
        We are open to remote applicants for this position. However, if you are located within 50 miles from our Arlington, VA, Headquarters, you will be expected to work from HQ on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
        We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
        With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
        We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
        If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.
        #LI-REMOTE
        
        
        Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
        
        The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Keywords: TechnoServe, Arlington , Cost Proposal Manager, Executive , Arlington, Virginia