Proposal Writer (Consultancy)

LOCATION: New York, NY

POSITION SUMMARY

ICAP is seeking proposal writers on a temporary consultancy basis with demonstrated skill, expertise, and experience in responding to solicitations from USAID, CDC, NIH, private foundations, and other bilateral donors. The proposal writer will work with the technical, program and proposal management team to help review solicitations, determine strategy for application, storyboard, and write the technical proposals. The writer will ensure responses are compliant with donor requirements, technically clear and accurate, and adhere to ICAP style.  The consultancies will report to the proposal team manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

In close collaboration with technical teams and proposal managers, serve as lead writer and/or editor of proposals. This would include:

• Authoring text. This may include gathering information; leading technical design and storyboard sessions, writing and/or editing proposal sections such as executive summary, technical approach, management and staffing plans, and other sections as needed; consulting with ICAP staff to ensure accuracy; and revising text based on feedback
• Substantive editing. This may include reorganizing material, adding or deleting information, revising major sections of text, and asking authors to address questions and concerns.
• Copy editing. This may include revising the text to make it clear, concise, correct, consistent, and coherent. With this level of editing, the proposal writer will follow guidance provided in the ICAP style guide and any specifications in the solicitation.
• Write and/or edit supportive documents needed for proposals including capability statements, past performance references, personnel resumes, job descriptions, and background information on the relevant subject areas.
• Liaise with technical experts to ensure the accuracy of content, with graphic designers to improve the presentation of information, and with editors and other communications experts to ensure compliance with organizational processes for preparation and approval of materials.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated writing and editing skills appropriate for competitive proposal submissions.
• Demonstrated skill in using terminology and concepts related to global health issues.
• Knowledge of technical areas such as HIV and AIDS, maternal and child health, nutrition, reproductive health, tuberculosis, and malaria, strongly desired
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently in teams under tight deadlines.
• Ability to create engaging and compelling text while maintaining technical accuracy and adhering to strict page limitations.
• Excellent interviewing and persuasive writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative information.
• Ability to juggle multiple demands, manage shifting priorities, and negotiate timelines.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and especially Microsoft Word.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public health, marketing, or related field is required.  An Advanced degree is preferred. 
• In addition, a minimum of five years writing public health related US government proposals; and prior experience writing large scale, complex bids of multimillion dollar value with proven success is required.

To Apply:
Please submit a Cover Letter, Resume and a Writing Sample to icap-jobs @columbia.edu. Please indicate the job title (Proposal Writer) in the email subject line.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.