The Budget Development Specialist will support the proposal Technical Lead, PDQ Lead, and other country programme staff to grow Save the Children funding and partnerships at country level in order to secure resources and achieve the Country Strategic Plan.

Maintain a strategic view of the awards proposals development function and works collaboratively with SCI members and other departments of the country office. S/he supports on the development of the country office budget, development of budget for new opportunities and cost allocation.  In collaboration with NBD teams, he/she plays a key role in supporting the PDQ, thematic directors in budget development for new opportunities. The individual will lead the development of a coherent realistic and accurate budget that is aligned to the technical work plan; donor’s, SCI, members, and host government rules and regulations; and ensuring the timely submission of quality proposals to donors

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Head of Budget Development

Staff directly reporting to this post: N/A

Proposal budget development

Cost Applications

• Participate in the analysis of requests for applications (RFA), requests for proposals (RFP), and other types of solicitations to ensure that specific budget requirements for each opportunity are fully understood and can be met by SCI budget team.

• Develop pricing strategy in response to donor/client expectations.

• Prepare and oversee cost applications – detailed budgets, budget narratives and other financial documentation – for country offices and global technical units in their responses to solicitations from public and private donors

• Act as a focal point for Country Office and Finance staff in large-scale competitive proposals.

• Provide guidance and support to partners and sub-awardees during the proposal budgeting process.

• Ensure required proposal development schedules and timelines are prepared and adhered to.

• Review all costing, and pricing data submitted by the technical team and partners for accuracy, completeness and file documents electronically for later reference. Ensure the cost realism of program activities and that budgets maintain a balance between program, operational and administrative needs while reflecting competitive pricing.

• As needed, develop and ensure that donor-specific budgeting and pricing templates are adhered to.

• Ensure proper budget presentation including formatting, required cost categories, and budget structures in response to donor requirements.

• In coordination with New Business Development & Partnership team review and analyze proposal sub-award, due-diligence documentation, as applicable. Analyze the financial management systems of potential sub-awardees to ensure that SCI consortiums remain competitive and ready for prompt post-award start-up.

• In coordination with global finance ensure that cost applications are compliant with SCI financial and donor requirements; work with Awards, Grants & Contracts on representations and certifications as needed.

• Represent SCI and liaise with partners, as needed. Support SCI budgeting team in partnership negotiations with prime applicants.

• Review and maintain cost proposal-related records and databases. Ensure that SCI strategic pricing data and methodologies for specific donors

• Identify key finance related risks in concept notes, award proposals provide budget analysis, cost estimation, consider foreign exchange management and do inflation analysis for multiyear projects.

• Makes sure Non thematic costs and Cross thematic cost are sufficiently and reasonably budgeted

• Share draft budget for the respective thematic, operation team for review ahead of final submission

• Develop justifiable costing strategies that reflect donors and members thematic focuses.

• Ensures that Local regulation compliance such as CHSA guideline of 80/20 and other local statutory requirement are strictly followed.

• Sharing and applying key budget assumptions consistently, and communicating budget guidelines to participating proposal development team and stakeholders at the commencement of each process.

• Involve actively in preparation of Country Office master budget

• Identify and track fund raising trends at national level and collate information on donor trends globally.

• Respond or address post submission budget-related donor and member requests and comments on time

• Support Budget Holders in mapping, phasing and re-phasing of award budgets.  Provide support in relation to budget amendments and modifications

• Provide support to the professional development of newly recruited Budget Development team members and Implementing partners staff members to be self-sufficient and to enable them to be competent in developing quality, competitive proposal budget.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.

• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same.

• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.

• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters.

• Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.

• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Business Administration with courses in accounting.

• Experience: Minimum 8 years progressive finance/budgeting experience in non-profit sector specializing in proposal development, budgeting, award (grant) management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Successful track record budgeting in wide range of competitive solicitations, including demonstrated ability to ensure budgets and budget narratives are effectively and comprehensively tied to the donor requirements and project design.

• Proven knowledge of USAID, ECHO, and NORAD, GAC, UN agencies (WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, EHF…), World Bank and others. Experience in interpreting and applying donor rules and regulations in order to ensure that all cost applications meet donor requirements.

• Strong analytical knowledge on budget implications on a long term basis. 

• Experience Master of budget (annual and quarterly budget plan) experience with strong analytical skills.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively negotiate with potential donors and partners.

• High level of Excel proficiency is required.

• Experience in providing financial training is highly desirable.

• Ability to work on multiple high priority projects at the same time.

• Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented.

• Willingness and ability to dramatically change work practices, flexible in working long hours and ability to work with incoming surge teams.

• Ability to work under pressure, maintain balance when under stress and meet strict internal and donor deadlines.

• Ability and willingness to flex work hours to accommodate multiple time zones.

• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.

• Commitment to Save the Children’s values, vision and mission.

• Good command of written and spoken English language.

• Teams, in the event of emergencies.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with one letter of application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK