Writer

This position works primarily on international public health proposals for various donors, including USAID. The Writer works with the Technical Strategy Lead, Principal Writer, and Proposal Manager to help ensure that final proposals are responsive to the needs of the client and reflect the technical strategy of MSH and its partners. The Writer will be responsible for drafting and editing sections of proposals, applications, expressions of interest, and other procurement documents; researching background materials related to the technical proposal; and working across the Business Development and Partnerships (BD&P) team to contribute to MSH’s overall proposal success.

Writing of proposals, applications, expressions of interest, and other procurement documents (80%)

• Drafting: Draft sections of proposals as requested by the Proposal Manager, Technical Strategy Lead, or Principal Writer, which may include the situation analysis, management plan, personnel section, capabilities statement, or past performance references, in close coordination with the Principal Writer and Technical Strategy Lead.
• Research: Contribute to identifying and reviewing background materials to use in writing technical proposals or to provide to other team writers.
• Outlining: Develop annotated outlines for proposals in collaboration with the proposal team, working closely with technical experts, Principal Writer, and Proposal Manager.
• Coordination: Coordinate with the Principal Writer and Senior Writer to make sure all deadlines for proposal drafts are met.
• Rewriting: Rewrite and rework sections of proposals submitted by other writers, as assigned, including condensing sections to meet length requirements.
• Capability statements: Work with proposal teams to draft institutional capability statements and past performance narratives.
• Staffing sections: Work with the human resources team to ensure that job descriptions, biographical summaries, and CVs of proposed staff accurately reflect their skills and accomplishments in relation to procurement requirements.
• Quality assurance: Check that technical proposals are compliant, internally consistent, and appropriately address procurement requirements.

Positioning (10%)

• Support BD&P, GHSI, PDG, and field staff efforts toward developing implementing positioning strategies to strengthen MSH’s likelihood of winning new business, including, but not limited to, intelligence gathering (desk research), analysis, and information sharing.

Proposal Editing (5%)

• Edit selected proposals or sections of proposals, such as annexes, in accordance with the standards of BD&P.

Document Management (5%)

• Assist the Proposal Manager and other members of the BD&P team in organizing and maintaining the latest versions of capabilities statements and other background materials for proposal development.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, health sciences, international development, journalism, or related field. Postgraduate degree preferred. ​

Experience

A minimum of 4 years of writing experience, including at least 2 years in writing and substantive editing of international development–related materials, including proposals, in a professional setting.

Knowledge and Skills

• Good skills in persuasive writing and the ability to present technical ideas in a concise way that is relatively free of jargon.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word.
• Ability to interview technical experts and use information to craft easily understood language.
• Ability to take in and process reviewers’ comments and other feedback and make sound decisions about when to ask questions.
• Experience in writing proposals for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), other US government agencies, or other donors preferred.
• Experience in international public health is highly preferred.
• Ability to quickly research and identify factual information.
• Good editing skills.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish or French a plus.

Competencies

• A love of writing and crafting clear language, with careful attention to detail.
• Flexibility, tact, and ability to work with diverse kinds of team members under tight deadlines.
• Ability to perform well under pressure and in challenging environments.
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written.
• Self-motivated and capable of taking the initiative.
• Strategic thinker who can work with Technical Strategy Leads and designers to help develop, refine, and convey strategies and themes.

Physical Demands

• Keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers <10 lbs.