Program development manager – Climate Justice-HIVOS

Region: Middle East & North Africa

Office: Ideally based in Beirut or Tunis, with Cairo or Amman possible

Hours: 36 Hours/Week

Term: This appointment is for an initial term of one year, renewable based on results and performance.

Reports to: Head of Business Development

Application deadline: February 26, 2023

Job context 

Hivos is an international development organization guided by humanist values. Together with citizens and their organizations, we aim to contribute towards just, inclusive and life-sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. We work with partners in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America on three impact areas: Civic Rights in a Digital Age; Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Climate Justice.

We are looking for a Program Development Manager (PDM), Middle East and North Africa for our climate justice impact area, although the role will also work on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI). The candidate should be based in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon or Tunisia.

The climate crisis is a political, social and ethical issue, rather than a purely environmental one. Peoples and countries with low incomes and long histories of oppression are the ones facing the worst impacts of climate change, despite having contributed least to causing it. Hivos believes that locally-shaped climate solutions can bring about transformational change. Our vision is for justice, equity and human rights to be at the core of climate action, grounded in the priorities and agency of those disproportionally impacted. Rightsholders and local communities often lead change in their climate-stricken communities, but are rarely heard in decision-making. These women, indigenous peoples, youth, urban poor, and smallholder farmers must own, participate in and benefit from climate action.

The PDM is part of the Business Development unit and reports to the Head of Business Development. This is a global team and together with colleagues – both in the team and across regions – the PDM secures funding for impactful global and local programs. This is a pivotal role in the heart of Hivos programming. The PDM in this specific role is also part of the MENA team, physically located in the region to ensure proximity to other MENA colleagues, partners, donors and other key stakeholders.

The PDM creates and maintains intimate and productive relationships with (key) funders, leads business development processes and builds strategic partnerships and consortia for fundraising in the field of Climate Justice. The PDM will be responsible for a specific percentage of Hivos’ annual income as a result of market analysis and donor capture plans. The PDM analyzes opportunities, ensures proposals fulfill internal and donor requirements and translates Hivos conceptual thinking into viable, sustainable and financially sound propositions.

The PDM works in tandem with colleagues to ensure thematically solid propositions in line with Hivos strategy and supports Hub Directors and program colleagues to develop local and global donor relations, donor intimacy and attractive propositions for funding. The PDM will scout, and follow up, for new business development opportunities. The PDM works with the Senior Contract & Negotiations Officer to ensure proposals and deals positively contribute to Hivos business continuity, and ensures early, active participation of the Budget Specialist. Above all, the PDM excels in writing strong, winning proposals. The PDM also supports program colleagues to develop winning repeat deals.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

Lead in gathering donor intelligence and preparing for pro-active fundraising in the MENA region, as well as for forecasted opportunities, including partner identification and engagement.

Facilitate well-informed Go/No Go decisions.

Develop winning proposals for submission to donors for the MENA region. This includes analyzing donor requirements, leading partner negotiations, coordinating effective and timely inputs for proposal & budget development from team members as well as partners, and prepare narrative/technical proposals for submission.

Provide support in response to global calls for proposals, providing MENA-specific information, developing specific sections of the proposal, peer-reviewing the proposal and/or liaising with regional partners.

Develop and maintain relationships with key Hivos funders in the MENA region. Identify trends and priorities of these funders and ensure early access to opportunities. Where relevant, participate in regional events and/or donor visits for visibility and positioning.

Manage pro-active opportunities and proposals in the Hivos Customer Relations Management (CRM) system, including adding donor intelligence to this CRM system.

Lead and participate in evaluations of both successful and unsuccessful proposal processes and identify areas of improvement.

Support program colleagues in preparing no-cost and cost extensions for ongoing programs, including actively engaging to fundraise for follow-up or repeat programs.

Requirements

At least 7 years of relevant experience in program development/fundraising on climate justice / climate change issues in the MENA region

Experience leading winning proposals on the intersection of climate justice and gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI)

Able to drive the development of exciting, creative and inspiring concepts and lead proposal teams with colleagues and partners.

Understands how to network and gather donor intelligence, manage donor relationships, pitch ideas and represent Hivos to an external audience.

Knowledge of and relevant partner/donor network on climate justice and GEDI issues in the MENA region

Competent in managing (complex) calls/proposals with consortia across the MENA region, with strong capabilities in process management.

Experienced proposal writer, with proven track record in preparing high quality winning proposals from several different donors, with value of at least 1 million EUR.

Strong knowledge of donor proposal requirements (formats, methodologies, results framework, budgeting, and theories of change).

Previous experience implementing similar programs is an advantage

Enterprising dynamic personality and outstanding team player. Easy to work with, excellent networking and communications skills to achieve the best possible results.

Level skills: cooperation, influence, leadership.

Job skills: strongly proactive and dynamic, strategic thinking, relationship management, team player

Exceptional written and verbal communications skills in English and Arabic, including to facilitate/lead proposal development workshops, and write strong concept notes and proposals.

Willing to travel

What we offer

Employment conditions for Beirut

We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff.  We offer a national contract based on Hivos local labor conditions, with remuneration commensurate with the experience and expertise. Contract renewable depending on performance.