Position Summary

Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking a motivated candidate to join its Africa Program Development Hub, a high-performing, diverse and dynamic team based across West, Central and East Africa, as well as Washington D.C., and which leads program development efforts for a diverse portfolio that covers the conflict geographies of the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Great Lakes, the Horn of Africa and the Sudans in over fifteen countries.

The Associate will support project design and the development of program ideas into competitive bids and proposals to secure funding for the region. The Associate will work closely with in-country staff and other Search departments to develop programming that directly responds to the most pressing conflict issues and peacebuilding needs. The Associate will have a particular focus on one of the conflict geographies, but will support other geographies in the portfolio as required.

This position can be based in Dakar, Nairobi or Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities
• Supports the creation and implementation of program development strategies.
• Supports the “capture” process (developing partnerships, capture planning).
• Supports the development of winning bids, drafting proposals and concept notes.
• Supports the team’s knowledge management.
• Contributions
• Strategy development: Carries out background research, record-keeping. Supports strategy processes.
• Business intelligence: Researches and monitors donors. Analyzes funding opportunities. Ensures internal record-keeping.
• Positioning and donor relations: Represents Search in line with positioning efforts. Produces marketing materials.
• Partnerships: Supports partnership discussions. Conducts partner analysis. Ensures knowledge management.
• Go/No-Go decisions: Conducts background research, including competitor analysis.
• Capture planning: Conducts desk reviews. Assembles pre-proposal material. Supports delivery of capture strategy.
• Program design: Provides input and support. Develops background material.
• Proposal development: Drafts specific sections of proposals or concepts. Lead-writes supporting material development.
• Proposal reviews: Participates on review teams.
• Knowledge management and training: Ensures proper record-keeping, including in the Grants Management System. Tracks key program development data and prepares reports as requested.
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English.
• Working proficiency in French is a strong asset. Other languages (Portuguese, Somali, Spanish) an asset.
• Interest and knowledge in the field of peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
• Familiarity with the Africa region.
• Practical experience with program design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• High level of analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, creativity, and enthusiasm while working in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment with minimal supervision is key.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and willing to take on tasks small and large.
• Well organized, resourceful with time management and technology to prioritize tasks.
• Type and Nature of Contacts

Interacts with others and handles problem situations with tact. Periodic external engagement as requested.

Education and Experience

Bachelors degree in peace and conflict studies, international relations, African studies, international development, or a related field with a minimum of 3 years’ experience –or Masters degree with one year of work experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel internationally at least 10%.

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

None

This is a full-time position. Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with the candidate’s experience.

How to apply
Please https://jobs.lever.co/sfcg/1be69167-a702-4412-b489-2ae32b39cdd2?lever-origin=applied&lever-source%5B%5D= .

Important notice: Please note that, for candidates applying for a position based in Washington, D.C., we are unfortunately only able to consider applicants who hold the right to live and work in the United States.

Deadline for Applications is November 15th, 2023. Start date in January 2024.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.