Programme Development Manager – Bids and Contracts

Focus of the Role

The Programme Development Manager for Bids & Contracts will support the delivery of the Institute’s bids and contracts for key funders and clients. This role will support and manage the delivery of high quality programme and proposal development, including through partnerships and through the development and management of pitches, expression of interest, concept notes, bids and proposals.

The core aspects of this role include supporting growth of the commercial contracting opportunity pipeline and optimisation of the Institute’s win-rate with priority funders, client governments and partners, supporting and managing the preparation of bids and proposals including through consortia, and supporting the set-up of successful bids including contracting, resource mobilisation and handover to contract management

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial problem solver that thrives on fast-paced start-up-like operations but has advanced knowledge of best practice for bidding and proposals for bilateral and multilateral funders. The candidate will enjoy building and synthesising solutions, bringing a track-record in bid management and attention to detail.

This role is within the Global Business Development & Income division of TBI, and part of the wider Strategy & Partnerships group (S&P). S & P is one of three external facing business critical departments, the othere two being: Policy & Politics, and Global Government Advisory. The S&P department leads and oversees the Institute’s strategic direction and growth, with specific responsibility for futureproofing growth, developing scaleable partnerships, innovating in tech and securing financial resources to measurably advance the Institute’s operational goals and drive sustainable impact. This is both a rewarding and positively challenging post in the orgaisation, with direct working relationship with other senior management. The role reports to the Head of Programme Development.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently and alongside the Head of Programme Development and Director, Programme Development and Contracts, identify, position for, prepare and manage the development and submission of bids and proposals for both lead and sub-contract opportunities
• Support the growth of commercial contracting opportunity pipeline and optimisation of win-rate from multilateral, bilateral donors and wider clients, including client governments and partner organisations
• Bring a good understanding of multilateral and bilateral donors as well as their procurement processes, international development strategies and policies and requirements
• Work independently and with others across the BD&I team to:
  • Build partnership & network and grow pipeline of opportunities
  • Track and support development of opportunities including positioning
  • Manage and coordinate bid submission including with partners/ as part of consortia
  • Work closely with subject matter experts, finance, legal and monitoring and evaluation teams
• Support set-up of successful bids including contracting, resource mobilisation, and handover to contract management
• Bring a good understanding of and ability to produce and guide costing and budget development
• Bring a good understanding of contractual requirements and ability to guide and support contracting with donors, client governments and partners

• Support and manage negotiation processes with donors, client governments and partners
• Devise and deliver initiatives across the institute to support best practice including compliance education

Key internal relationships: Global Business Development & Income, Strategy &Partnerships, Global Client Solutions, Global Government Advisory, Policy & Politics and Institute Resources (people, legal, finance, and IT teams).

Person Specification

This post would be a fit for a senior manager looking to use their expertise to embed best practice and deliver quality programme development who has these skills and experience:

• Significant experience of managing programme and proposal development for a range of high value donors and/ or government clients with significant understanding and experience of identifying, positioning for and developing responses to bids as prime and/or sub contactor
• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree or equivalent practical experience
• Experience of supporting and delivering high quality/high value proposal development including standing up systems to support this work
• Demonstrable success in coordinating cross organisational teams to secure large scale contracts
• Strong numeracy skills including advanced knowledge of budget development, particularly for commercial contract opportunities
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a demanding workload comprised of diverse and challenging tasks and responsibilities
• Knowledge of commercial contract requirements of major bilateral and multilateral donors (USG, UKG, EU, the World Bank, the AfDB etc) including budgeting, eligibility, compliance, and work at a strategic level
• With outstanding influencing skills and the proven ability to deliver absent of ‘command and control’ models, in a highly matrixed organisation
• Patient, adaptable, able to improvise, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure
• Demonstrate leadership and management skills in a complex international setting
• Keenly interested in the work of TBI and share in our mission and values

#LI-Hybrid
 

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies.  We do this through developing policy and advising governments.  We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.