Terms of Reference
Job Title: Emergency Proposal Writing Officer
Place of Work: Somalia Programme – Nairobi
Reports to: Emergency programmes support coordinator
Reporting to position: N/A
Save the Children (SC) is an international organization with 27 member organizations across the
globe. It is united by a common mission and brand but, to some extent, has until now been working
independently from country to country and within countries. With the decision by all Save the
Children organizations to create an International Programmes Unit (IPU) taken in 2010, Save the
Children aims to create a stronger voice for children by unifying the operations in all countries. This
will result in one organisation at the national level in each country and a unified programme
delivery structure for all Save the Children International Members.
Save the Children UK, Denmark and Finland unified in Somalia in January 2010 under the name
Save the Children in Somalia which will move to the IPU model by the end of 2012. After one year
of unification and as a result of an active fundraising strategy the programme budget was over
GBP 10m covering thematic areas of protection, child survival (which includes health, nutrition and
livelihoods), education, and Child Rights Governance.
Function Purpose
The proposal writer will serve as primary writer for the development of proposals to support the
emergency response. S/he will work closely with emergency technical advisers, technical
coordinators, logistics manager and the emergency finance and grants managers.
Key accountabilities
· In conjunction with Grants manager ensure that all appropriate donor and Save the Children
formats for proposals are available in-country and that key contributing staff have a clear
understanding of donor requirements and expectations for the proposal.
· Create and maintain a list of potential donors and their specific funding preferences and deadlines
for proposal submission; track progress of proposals, submission dates, amounts, etc.
· Ensure “quality control” checks on all proposals for submission and that adequate HR and
operational costs have been included.
· Ensure all proposal development and sign-off procedures are followed.
· Gather information from technical advisors and other relevant team members, assessment teams
and sitreps and other relevant sources necessary for drafting proposals.
· Transform information gathered, objectives set and results expected into required formats and in
line with requirements of each donor and SC Member.
· Consult relevant technical advisors on specific program interventions
· Under the supervision of the Technical Program Manager, liaise with SC Members to understand
the different donor needs and requirements.
· Provide additionally requested information in relation to proposals from donors, SCI or SC
members promptly and accurately and make necessary revisions based on feedback.
· Support Grants manager in the negotiation of project commencement and conclusion, budget and
payment schedule, reporting dates and requirements with donor or Save the Children member.
· Work closely with the emergency finance team, Logistics Manager as well as relevant technical
staff to develop proposal budgets.
· Ensure all proposals are reviewed and approved by Response Team Leader or delegate before
final submission to the donor.
· Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child rights and
safeguarding, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
Deliverables:
· Working with finance and programs to identify funding gaps that are combined on a funding
gap tracker to target future opportunities
· Development of proposal timeline tracker
Core Competencies & Qualifications
Essential:
· Demonstrated experience of writing winning proposals for key institutional donors. Demonstrated
experience of proposal development in at least three of Save the Children’s core emergency
sectors (Health, nutrition, FSL, WASH, ,Shelter, education and CP)
· Minimum two years of working with Humanitarian organisations in related roles to proposal writing/
coordination for international donors.
· Demonstrated experience developing multiple narrative and cost proposals simultaneously
· Knowledge of CAP and Flash Appeals processes
· Experience working in a demanding environment and with a challenging context.
· Understanding of donor compliance and key reporting procedures
· Good negotiation, communication, decision-making and interpersonal skills and ability to work as
part of a team.
· Good personal organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and
work under pressure
· Ability to work within a multicultural setting
· Fluency in written and spoken English
· Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles
· Information Communication Technology literate
· Budgeting development experience
· Bachelors degree level in social sciences, development or related subjects.
· Masters degree in project management desirable
Child Safeguarding Policy
As an employee with Save the Children you are required to comply with the practices and
principles as stated in the organizations Child Safeguarding Policy, both in the course of your
employment and in your private life. The Child Safeguarding Policy aims to ensure that all children
who come into contact with Save the Children are safe from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm
of all kinds. As an employee within Save the Children you are committed to uphold these standards
and to report according to local reporting procedures if you suspect that a child we work with are
put in any risk of being harmed or abused as a result of the organizations actions. You are further
obliged to undertake induction and training on the Child Safeguarding Policy.
Code of Conduct
Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential
that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and
demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards
which all staff members must adhere to.
Applications should be forwarded to: vacancies@scsom.org. Application Closing Date: Will
be Friday 06th July 2012. However, the closing date may be earlier than this date due to the
urgency in filling the position.