Proposal Writer, Food Security and Agriculture

RTI International / Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization. We combine these powerful capabilities with those of our partners to co-create smart, shared solutions for a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient world. Based in North Carolina, USA, RTI is one of USAID's top implementing partners. A commitment to making meaningful change energizes our 6,000 staff who deliver results across eight international development sectors and in more than 80 countries. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R's Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI's work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

The Proposal Writer, Food Security and Agriculture will report to Senior Food Security and Agriculture Advisor. They will work in close collaboration with the Food Security and Agriculture management team to support solutioning and research for technical leadership, and lead proposal preparation and development. This position will be based in the US (Washington, DC; RTP, NC or remote). Other locations will be considered on case-by-case basis. The position will be expected to travel internationally approximately 25% of the time, for 1-3 weeks at a time. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Candidates will be expected to submit a writing sample for consideration.

Capture and Proposal Writing (70%)

• Serve as lead writer for high-value, complex proposals beginning with working with a capture team to develop a capture plan and, as appropriate, leading or supporting on-the-ground capture efforts.
• Collaborate with the technical lead, local resources, and partners to ensure local context and knowledge is captured and fully reflected in proposal drafts.
• Develop technical approach outlines and draft proposal sections with technical input, as agreed with the Proposal Leader and other proposal team members.
• Synthesize inputs from multiple authors to reflect a clear approach, readability, style, and one voice.
• Work closely with the proposal coordinator, technical lead, section writers, and other technical resources and proposal team members, including partners, to develop well-written, clearly articulated, and cohesive request for information responses, concept notes, white papers, and proposals aligned with donor requirements and RTI standards.
• Participate in design workshops and other proposal strategy, preparation and review activities and synthesize inputs from various data sources and stakeholders.
• Maintain close communication with the technical design lead and proposal coordinator throughout the proposal development process to ensure expectations are aligned and deadlines are met.
• Work with Proposal Leader and/or technical Lead to resolve and integrate reviewer comments, as appropriate. Serve as a capture reviewer and proposal reviewer for FSA's pipeline of proposals.
• Participate in collaborative business development opportunities across RTI's technical divisions, including in roles such as technical advisor, reviewer, or other roles as appropriate.

Technical Leadership (20%)

• Lead or participate in RTI research on topics related to agriculture, food security, economic growth, resilience, climate change, disaster risk management and/or other relevant topics.
• Provide technical support to ongoing projects through tasks like development of technical reports, presentations, or short-term technical assignments as appropriate.

Positioning and Marketing (10%)

• Contribute to updating and implementing AWE's agriculture and food security growth strategy.
• Position RTI as a leader in sustainable food security and agriculture.
• Participate in events and/or present on technical topics.
• Write blog posts or articles about RTI project successes and research and share on/at social media, conferences, round tables, and other relevant events.
• Close collaboration with Communication, BD, and MERLA colleagues to compile country level documents that communicate FSA's areas of expertise, such as past performance references and capability statements.
• Support other writing/editing tasks (including marketing material, executive communication, etc.) as required.

• Bachelor's degree in international development, agriculture, food security or related field and 8 years of relevant experience or Master's degree and 6 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum five years of experience in international development, including working in the food security and agriculture sector or other related technical areas such as resilience, economic growth, and disaster risk management.
• Proven experience and track records in leading, designing, and writing proposals/applications for USAID-funded projects; experience with other funding agencies like USDA and FCDO are a plus.
• Demonstrated experience as a writer on large, donor-funded technical proposals.
• Track record of winning new business in food security, agriculture, market systems, economic growth and/or resilience funded by USAID and other donors.
• Education and/or project experience in agriculture, food security, market systems, and/or economic growth.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated technical knowledge in at least one of the technical areas of focus (including food security, agriculture, market systems, economic growth, resilience).
• Demonstrated capability to independently manage complex processes under tight deadlines.
• Must be able to work effectively under deadlines, both independently and as a team member.
• Familiarity with business development standards, terminology and best practice.
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking and problem-solving skills, with a capacity to articulate the big picture and provide attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate complex information to multiple audiences working in the international development.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to present information in an articulate and concise manner.
• Ability to communicate well, manage and cultivate strong relationships, convene the right people at all levels, and collaborate inclusively with a wide variety of individuals.
• Fluency in oral and written English required. Working ability in French or Spanish a plus.

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For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

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The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.