Technical Proposal Writer

Position Title: Technical Proposal Writer

Reports to: Director of Business Development

Position Description – Overview

The Technical Proposal Writer supports EnCompass’ business development (BD) activities by supporting the creation of effective, audience-focused, new business proposals and marketing/positioning materials, such as capability statements, newsletters, success stories, blogs or short thought pieces for internal and external audiences. This individual will have a direct role in improving staff’s ability to engage in business development activities and to conceptualize and write high-quality, new business development–related materials for clients and other audiences.

To accomplish these tasks, the Technical Proposal Writer collaborates with other members of the BD team, EnCompass leaders, and staff across the company, focusing on: (a) direct writing/editing support for proposals and other materials aligned with new business strategy; (b) mentoring and capacity-strengthening activities to increase staff skills for engagement in new business development activities.

The position may be based remotely, depending on the location, or at EnCompass’ headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.

Due to COVID-19, and subject to situational changes, the selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship. As a covered Federal contractor, EnCompass must comply with the President’s Executive Order 14042 and the follow-on guidance issued by Safer Federal Workforce Task Force on COVID-19 Workplace Safety. Therefore, all US-based EnCompass employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022, to include staff working from home.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Serves as lead writer, writing mentor/coach, and/or section writer on capture and proposal efforts in response to donor solicitations, expressions of interest, and sources sought notifications, to include outlining, drafting, developing and finalizing written content
• Works closely with EnCompass technical staff and partners to pull together text from different writers
• Develops and/or reviews proposal outlines, ensuring compliance to donor solicitation requirements and a compelling presentation
• May facilitate and co-design proposal strategy sessions in support of generating content needed to respond to solicitations
• Edits proposals and supports format development and troubleshooting

• Collaborates with BD team members to support the design and implementation of capacity strengthening activities to build staff knowledge and skills in writing for new business development. For example:

• Mentors and advises colleagues across the company on proposal writing best practices

• Contributes to BD training design/delivery and other skills-building activities

• Works with BD team members to conceptualize, develop, write, and edit short resources for just in time job knowledge and skills development

• Recommends process or capacity improvements related to BD-focused proposal writing

• Outlines, drafts, develops and edits content for other, non-proposal BD-related communications including materials for internal and external audiences

• Liaises with the Communications team to promote synergy of BD and strategic communications strategies and messaging priorities

• Engages fully as a member of the EnCompass team and the EnCompass BD team, including participation in staff meetings and other company and team events

• Maintains knowledge of trends and best practices in proposal writing and related fields in which EnCompass works

• Other relevant duties, as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

· High School diploma and 11 years of experience; Associate’s Degree and 9 years of experience; Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of experience; Master’s degree and 5 years of experience; PhD and 3 years of experience

Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated strengths in writing and editing for global development and/or international affairs, with knowledge and experience writing proposals in at least two of the following topics: global health; women’s economic empowerment; gender, youth and social inclusion; agriculture and food security; climate change; democracy, rights and governance; education; environment; and humanitarian assistance
• Proven ability to analyze donor and client solicitation requirements, develop responsive outlines, and successfully write compliant, competitive, and compelling proposal content
• Strong understanding of EnCompass’ primary clients, including USAID, the U.S. State Department, United Nations System organizations, and foundations, with experience writing winning proposal content for these clients

• Expertise in audience-focused writing and communication, including adapting writing and editing approaches for different audiences and careful application of organizational style and formatting standards

• Familiarity with capacity strengthening, training/learning, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and gender and inclusive development approaches

• Experience designing and delivering training and/or mentoring others in proposal writing or BD-related processes

• Ability to confidently engage with staff at all levels to define needs and expectations, collaborate on projects, and communicate results

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams

• Superior attention to detail

• Strong time management skills

• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment that values creativity, self-motivation, candor, reliability, and accountability

• Full proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite, especially Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel (in that order); working knowledge of SharePoint and Teams strongly preferred

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.