Job Title: Budget Advisor – IRC

May 9, 2022

Job Description

The Purpose of the Role

The Budget Advisor supports the development of budgets for competitive multi-year grants and contracts proposals. This position specializes in IRC’s largest donors -US Government, FCDO, and European Union – but may provide support for other donors as well. As a member of proposal teams, this position works with IRC Country Offices, Finance Department and Technical Units and facilitates the development of cost proposals – offering guidance and technical assistance throughout the business development lifecycle balancing cost recovery, risk mitigation and price competitiveness. Specific responsibilities include development of back-of-envelope estimates, customizing budget formats, working with IRC offices to collect and certify cost data (including for named personnel), developing detailed budgets for IRC and negotiating budgets with partners. This position contributes to the development of budgeting guidelines and templates. This position collaborates closely with finance and compliance staff, at country-level, regions and HQ.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Budget Advisor provides budget development support to a portfolio of competitive multi-year proposals; this position collaborates closely with appropriate finance staff as it performs the following functions:

During capture, validates cost data, prepares back of envelope projections and advises on pricing strategy;
Prepares full cost proposals by developing cost analysis and budget projections, facilitating budget reviews and negotiating budgets with international and local budget partners; ensures proposal accuracy and certifies cost data;
Prepares internal budget development packet, timelines, and partner packets; offers guidance and coordinates budget inputs;
Facilitates the two color-team reviews of the budget;
Offers advice on donor rules and regulations, and specific solicitation requirements as they pertain to budget development;
Supports efforts to disseminate company-wide guidance and tools, including making presentations, trainings, templates and guidance documents.

Job Qualifications:

Degree (minimum BA) or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as public administration, business administration, management, economics, or similar;
Demonstrated knowledge of budget development and cost analysis good practices; familiarity with project design methodologies, price-to-win approaches and proposal development processes is a plus.
At least 3 years of professional experience, including experience with budget development of multi-million dollar projects; international development, management and training experience is a plus.
Demonstrates in depth understanding of USAID, UK FCDO or EU rules and regulations, particularly as they pertain to budget development; is able to identify donor-specific risks and design cost proposals in a way that mitigate those risks;
Flexible work attitude: the ability to work in a team environment and independently and ability to meet unexpected demands;
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in ‘remote’ and diverse teams;
The ability to work productively and accurately while under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment;
Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively;
Ability to travel internationally; (up to 20% of time);
Ability to work autonomously and under remote management;
Fluent in written and spoken English is required; French, Spanish or Arabic is highly desirable.