Proposal Development Specialist (Technical & Financial Proposals )

We are seeking a highly skilled Proposal Development Specialist to manage the entire proposal lifecycle, from identifying opportunities to final submission. This role involves preparing Expressions of Interest (EOIs), technical and financial proposals, grant applications, and government tenders for prominent clients such as the World Bank, ADB, FCDO, Gates Foundation, UN agencies, and various Government of Pakistan departments. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of donor procurement regulations, excellent persuasive writing skills, the ability to develop compliant proposals, prepare accurate cost estimates, and work effectively under tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Opportunity Tracking:
Monitor multiple procurement portals daily, including those of the World Bank (STEP, UNDB), ADB (CSRN, CMS), FCDO (Find a Tender, Jaggaer), Gates Foundation, UNGM, EU, SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and various Pakistani procurement authorities such as PPRA, EPADS, KPPRA, SPPRA, PPRA Punjab, and BPPRA. Screen and assess opportunities promptly, prepare concise go/no-go recommendations, and maintain an up-to-date bid pipeline tracker. Identify potential teaming partners, joint ventures, sub-consultants, and key experts early in the bidding process.

Expressions of Interest & Pre-qualification:
Develop EOIs and shortlisting submissions in compliance with World Bank and ADB consultant guidelines. Maintain an organized library of firm profiles, past performance records, completion certificates, and experience matrices to support timely submissions.

Technical Proposals:
Analyze Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and evaluation criteria to prepare compliance matrices and bid checklists. Draft core technical sections including assignment understanding, comments on ToRs, approach and methodology, work plans with Gantt charts, staffing schedules, risk management strategies, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, logframes, theory of change, and gender and social inclusion strategies. Prepare responses in donor-specific formats such as World Bank SPD forms (TECH-1 to TECH-6), ADB STP/FTP, FCDO commercial and technical templates, and Gates Foundation concept notes and full proposals. Recruit key experts, tailor CVs to donor templates, and secure exclusivity and availability confirmations.

Financial Proposals:
Prepare detailed cost proposals and budgets covering remuneration, reimbursables, overheads, and contingencies using World Bank FIN-1 to FIN-4, ADB, FCDO, and other required formats. Structure budgets for lump-sum, time-based, fixed-price contracts, and grants, including comprehensive budget narratives. Apply Pakistani tax regulations accurately, including income tax withholding, federal and provincial sales taxes (ICT, PRA, SRB, KPRA, BRA), and stamp duty. Ensure full alignment between financial and technical proposals regarding staff inputs, timelines, and deliverables.

Government Tenders (Pakistan):
Prepare bids in accordance with PPRA Rules 2004 and provincial procurement regulations, covering single-stage one-envelope, single-stage two-envelope, and QCBS/QBS methods. Manage submissions through EPADS and e-Pak Acquisition portals, including bid securities, affidavits, and registration documents (SECP, FBR/NTN, PEC, provincial tax authorities). Draft pre-bid queries, clarification requests, and grievance submissions as necessary.

Quality Control & Submission:
Edit, format, and produce professional, visually consistent proposals. Coordinate internal review cycles (pink, red, and gold team reviews) and conduct final compliance checks. Oversee electronic and hard-copy submissions, including sealing, marking, courier arrangements, and notarization.

Knowledge Management:
Maintain a comprehensive proposal content library containing boilerplate text, methodologies, CVs, project sheets, and pricing benchmarks. Document debriefs and lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful bids to enhance future win rates.

Required Qualifications

- Master’s degree in Development Studies, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, Public Health, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years’ hands-on experience preparing technical and financial proposals for consulting firms, NGOs, or INGOs within Pakistan’s development sector.
- Proven track record of submitted and awarded proposals funded by at least two of the following: World Bank, ADB, FCDO, Gates Foundation, UN agencies, EU, or USAID.
- Strong working knowledge of World Bank Procurement Regulations, ADB Procurement Policy and Regulations, and PPRA Rules.
- Excellent written English skills; proficiency in Urdu is advantageous.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel (including budgeting and formulas), and PowerPoint; familiarity with MS Project or similar tools is a plus.

Work Location:
This position requires in-person attendance.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful development projects by leading proposal efforts for high-profile international and government clients.