Business Development Specialist

Save the Children Canada is a member of Save the Children International, a federation that works in more than 119 countries worldwide delivering programs focused on health and nutrition, education, child protection, child poverty, humanitarian response, and child rights governance. As the world’s leading independent organization for children, Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. We live our values every day– Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity. 

The role of Business Development Specialist (BDS) is an exciting opportunity for an international development proposal design, partnership, fundraising expert who is interested to contribute to a mission focused on positive change for children globally. The role will encompass working collaboratively to develop and submit funding proposals to a variety of donors (Global Affairs Canada, development Banks, philanthropic donors, etc.), aligning to robust business development processes. The BDS will support the development of new tools and processes, ensure that learning is captured through After Action Reviews, and lead ongoing pre-positioning efforts with donors. Working in a matrix system with technical experts, context experts, fundraising experts and project managers, the BDS will have the opportunity to build new skills and competencies. The position may require sporadic travel in Ontario and abroad (one or two times a year).

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Support regular prospect research and analysis of funding opportunities in alignment with Save the Children’s strategic priorities, to enable funding support to new partnership, programmatic, advocacy, research.
• Contribute to cultivating relationships with external stakeholders, including Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and within the Save the Children movement.
• Contribute to building SC’s profile with institutional donors, in collaboration with Government Relations colleagues.
• Facilitate the completion of opportunity assessment tools and timely approvals for new opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate the development of proposals both internally, with Save the Children International Country Offices, and with external partners.
• Ensure that donor requirements and Save the Children standards are adhered to throughout the proposal development phase.
• Ensure proposals are compelling and in alignment with Save the Children’s  strategic priorities
• Support the development of funding proposals for private sector partners as it relates to International Programs.
• Responsible for updating internal Donor Award Management System for international funding opportunities throughout the opportunity and proposal development phases.  
• Ensure signed contracts, agreements, and amendments are centrally stored in physical and electronic format to comply with internal policies.
• Strengthen Country Office knowledge and capacity for proposal development for institutional funding opportunities, particularly GAC.
• Share Canadian donor-specific requirements with Regional and Country Offices and maintain current donor templates and guidelines on online platforms (OneNet, Workplace).

Qualifications (include but are not limited to):

• Bachelor degree in International Development / Social Sciences or related field.
• 3- 5 years’ progressive work experience in NGO sector in international development; direct field experience is considered an asset.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential.
• Demonstrated experience with Global Affairs Canada standards and guidelines including Results-Based Management (RBM) approaches and Gender Equality results expectations.
• Proven track record in securing funding from institutional donors, particularly GAC.
• Budgeting for proposals experience, with understanding of GAC financial parameters considered an asset.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence.
• Superior English writing skills; proficiency in spoken French or Spanish considered an asset.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work within tight deadlines and time pressures.
• Detail-oriented to maintain accurate records and financial information within systems.
• Demonstrated experience in opportunity generation and proposal development (including coordination and proposal writing).
• Knowledge of child rights programming in areas of Health, Education, Child Protection, Livelihoods, and Gender Equality.
• Ability to travel internationally on occasional basis.
• Demonstrates strong commitment to Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Must adhere to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy and protocols.
• Must Complete Police Vulnerable Sector Screening.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this position, please visit https://www.savethechildren.ca/ and submit your resume and cover letter by 5 pm on August 12, 2021. Internal candidates, please apply by 5 pm on August 9, 2021. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SCC is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources (416) 221-5501 ext. 262.