CRS JOB ADVERT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL 

CRS is recruiting for X1 Position: Business Development Officer 

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.  

About CRS 

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community  in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100  countries, without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education,  microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Job Title: Business Development Officer

Department: Business Development and Communications

Reports To: Business Development Specialist

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Freetown office

Job Summary:  

As Business Development (BD) Officer, you will contribute to the production of high-quality applications for  funding in support of CRS’ engagement with institutional donors and initiatives involved in international  development to serve the most vulnerable. Your knowledge and skills will allow you to contribute to  improving aspects of the BD cycle for the country program.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to proposal development processes to ensure timely submission of high-quality proposals  that are responsive to donor requirements.
• Research new opportunities and CRS’ competitive position within the marketplace. • Assist with analysis of successes and failures and dissemination of lessons learned.  • Assist in developing analytical reports for internal and external use, including portfolio trends and  growth.
• With the business development specialist and others, refine or create appropriate staff development  materials (training, distance learning, self-study) to support the building of capacity in resource  acquisition, such as assessment and proposal development skills, basic elements of donor  compliance, intelligence-gathering, etc.
• Support proposal coordination and documentation.
• Provide administrative support to the proposal development team including organizing design  workshops etc.

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or any related field.
•    Minimum two years of international development experience in business development, partnership,  communications, or influencing.

Required Languages – English and Krio

Travel – include a percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to  travel up to 30 %.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to  see the big picture.
• Good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and  externally.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Very good communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Very strong writer with expert command of English grammar.
• Demonstrated experience with competitive proposals in programming contexts like CRS.
•  Familiarity with donor funding mechanisms and proposal requirements.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda, and Catholic Social Teaching principles a plus.
•  Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web  Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): 

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create  an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in  the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her  responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
•  Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is  considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
•  Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to  learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies: 

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility,  openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and  enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency  strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) 

Key Working Relationships:  

Internal 

External 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to  fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the  commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a  part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to  serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and  vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with  dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further,  I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and  my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related  topics. 

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

To apply for this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates  to:

https://launchpadrecruitsapp.com/apply/07521c5f53d11bf95dee94e7

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and Social  Security, New England and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations 

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities  associated with the position.  

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults  from abuse and exploitation. 

Closing Date for the receipt of application packages is 03rd October 2023.