Summary

Are you a creative thinker? driven by the desire to make a difference? Do you have a passion for designing innovative strategies and driving change? Are you ready to bring your talents to a fast-growing organization implementing on a global scale? Are you excited to help us build on our recent $100m+ winning streak?Join Democracy International (DI) as Deputy Director of Business Development, where your creative mindset and passion for innovation can shape the future of democracy.

Description

Are you a creative thinker? driven by the desire to make a difference? Do you have a passion for designing innovative strategies and driving change? Are you ready to bring your talents to a fast-growing organization implementing on a global scale? Are you excited to help us build on our recent $100m+ winning streak?
Join Democracy International (DI) as Deputy Director of Business Development, where your creative mindset and passion for innovation can shape the future of democracy and peace programming. If you're ready to be part of a team that values your vision and encourages bold ideas, we want to hear from you!
 
Essential Responsibilities:
 
As the Deputy Director of Business Development, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the DRG space, leading proposal efforts, and collaborating with cross-discipline teams. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Thought Leadership: Influence the democracy, governance, human rights, and peacebuilding fields by piloting new approaches and applying evidence-based strategies.
  • Program Design: Utilize your expertise in one or more of DI's practice areas to design innovative, multi-year international development programs, addressing complex challenges and ensure high-quality, timely bids for new projects, with a focus on quality.
  • Partnerships: Foster relationships with existing and new partners and clients, maintaining business relationships and exploring new opportunities.
  • Process Execution: Be the proactive leader who takes charge of our processes, executing whatever tasks are necessary to ensure its successful completion and outstanding quality.

 
Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in social sciences (e.g., international affairs, political science, conflict resolution).
  • 8-12 years of relevant professional experience.
  • Proven experience in designing and writing innovative and competitive proposals for democracy, human rights, and governance programs funded by USAID.
  • Solid track record of writing competitive proposals  for USAID.
  • Proficiency in tailoring content to specifics of proposal and audience as well as proven ability to effectively convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
  • Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with local and international partners.
  • Strong team collaboration, project management, and analytical skills.
  • Significant experience with USAID RFAs, RFPs, (minimum 3 years)
  • Familiarity with non-USG funding mechanisms is desirable.
  • Knowledge of a second language preferred but not required.

 
About Us:
 
Democracy International (DI) is a dynamic organization with a strong record of designing and implementing groundbreaking democracy, human rights, governance, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding programs. We're seeking a Deputy Director of Business Development to lead with creativity and innovation. Join us in our Washington, DC area office to be part of this exciting journey. This is a hybrid position, with regular office presence. We will only consider applicants who are based in the Washington, DC area or planning to move there. 
 
 
Location and Travel:
 
This role is based in DI's home office in Bethesda, Maryland, with occasional travel (10-15% based on business needs).
 
 
Reporting and Supervision:

  • This position reports to the Director, Business Development.
  • This position does not currently have supervisory responsibilities but may in the future.

 
Environmental Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, printers, and moderate traffic).
  • Ability to work in a confined office space/area.
  • Ability to sit and/or stand at a computer desk for an extended period of time.
  • Ability to travel on long plane flights across several time zones and at irregular hours.

 
Physical Requirements Required to Perform Essential Responsibilities:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to;

  • Stand, sit; talk, hear, use of hands and fingers, and perform repetitive motions to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
  • Reach, stoop, or kneel, to adjust computer and/or telephone equipment.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
  • Hearing abilities required due to telephone.
  • Light to moderate lifting is possible.
  • Travel will require moderate lifting, sitting for extended periods of time, overnight flights across multiple time zones;
  • Regular, predictable attendance is required; as business demands dictate.

Democracy International is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its employment process for individuals with disabilities to meet any and all physical requirements of our jobs.
 
 
Application Process:
 
Join our team and contribute to innovative program development, creative solutions, and the growth of DI's technical work. Together, we'll drive positive change and contribute to a lasting impact on democracy, human rights, governance, resilience, and conflict transformation
 
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. DI is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining the best talent, and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. The starting salary range for this position is $83,000 to $105,000, commensurate with experience. DI will only contact candidates of interest. 
 
All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.
 
 
About the Organization:
 
DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.
 
DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities