Program Development (PD) Officer – Bilingual Essential (French/English)

Note: This posting is for one open position in one of the listed FRI countries of operations. For business communications reasons – Only candidates with a strong command of French and very good command of English should apply.

Established in 1979, Farm Radio International is a Canadian non-profit organization working with African radio stations to create and sustain quality interactive radio programming that meets the information and communication rights, at scale, of rural and marginalized communities in sub-Saharan Africa. With our partners, Farm Radio implements a wide range of communication for development projects centering on food and nutrition security, climate change, gender equality, and basic health. Over 1,350 radio stations from 38 countries participate in Farm Radio’s network. Hundreds of stations use our program models and resources to design and deliver thousands of hours of interactive radio programs every year. Our communication solutions are designed to respond to and transform gender relations and ensure the participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups at each stage of program design and delivery processes. FRI is committed to gender equality and inclusion as a cross-cutting priority as well as an end in itself.

Farm Radio is looking for a candidate to join a small Program Development team focused on securing continued and new funding to support FRI’s mission, strategies, and growth. The person will support in the identification, design, coordination, writing and submission of winning proposals and opportunities across the organisation, working closely with the country and Specialty Services teams. They will support the management and tracking of the funding pipeline through Salesforce CRM.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The PD Officer plays a critical role in handling country-led and global-led proposal processes, supporting consultations, negotiations, and pipeline management. They will coordinate and conduct risk reviews, write concepts and proposals and coordinate budget development. They will also support in building the capacity of country teams to effectively generate in-country opportunities through funder networking and engagement.

1. Role
   • Ideation and proposal writing: facilitate project design and internal/external consultations with technical teams and wider project partners; write winning proposals and concept notes
   • Bid coordination: ensure timely submission; prepare documentation in support of proposals, e.g. teaming agreements, contracts, etc.
   • Ensure compliance to internal processes including risk review, budgeting, and archiving procedures for proposals

With support from the Senior Manager for Program Development, and working with Senior Program Officers, Country Team Leads and Specialty teams, the PD Officer will contribute to the effective implementation of PD strategies and tasks to the highest standards and to the satisfaction of all internal and external stakeholders, specifically:

• Map, develop and contribute to maintaining FRI partnerships, and relationships with, existing and potential funding partners and program partners
• Represent FRI in partnership meetings / consortium negotiations with partners and funders
• Identify, analyse and present valid program opportunities, in line with FRI strategy and annual workplan, to the FRI Program Development team
• Lead on the management, tracking and optimal use of CRM for the opportunity pipeline
• Lead on submissions or co-ordinate and backstop submissions lead by country teams
• Support partnership development with a view to funding investments in Farm Radio, including relationship and profile building, networking and promotion of FRI, eg via social media and in person
• Ensure the achievement of results in relation to gender equality and inclusion
• Promote the participation of women / girls in proposed project activities, particularly in decision-making, throughout the project cycle
• Develop strong partnerships and work with women’s organizations to promote women’s rights.

2) QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in program or business development or program management in the international NGO sector and in a multi-funder setting
• University degree or certificate in project management, agriculture, communications, development, or related field; Master’s degree an asset
• Knowledge of the principles of gender equality and women’s rights and experience in integrating these principles into the proposed projects
• Exceptional proposal writing and editing skills, with the ability to gather and synthesize contributions from multiple sources and colleagues effectively – transforming project ideas into effective proposals
• Knowledge or experience in communication for development an asset
• Knowledge / experience with CRMs an advantage
• Fluency in Excellent working knowledge of French and/or, English with a strong working ability (written and spoken) in the other is a must; ability in other African languages is a significant and asset

3) Skills and attributes

• Strong teamwork skills
• Ability to nurture relationships with potential funding and implementation partners
• Good organizational and time-management skills; ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Confidence in networking and representation- written and oral – able to reach and engage multiple audiences at every level
• Flexible and creative approach to problem-solving
• Demonstrated skills in intercultural communication and collaborating/connecting with teams virtually
• Comfortable working under minimal supervision and with limited resources
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Detail oriented