Bid Manager - UK

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program

Mercy Corps Europe (MCE) has grown rapidly in terms of volume of activity and complexity. With offices in Edinburgh, London, Geneva and The Hague, we now attract over £90m in annual income. The breadth and impact of our programmes makes Mercy Corps a unique and truly rewarding place to work. Our teams are proud of what we achieve in the field, and we are always looking for talented individuals who share our passion and commitment.

The Position The Bid Manager will support strategic programme development efforts in response to contract opportunities from European institutional donors. They will do this by:
1) supporting prepositioning efforts;
2) leading and/or supporting bid development processes; and
3) writing, editing and reviewing bid documents.

They will help enhance Mercy Corps’ competitiveness by working with the wider contracts team and counterparts in the NI team to develop/improve tools and guidance on the bidding process.

The Bid Manager will contribute to two of the contracts team’s three broad areas of work: pursuit of new business and bid development; support to implementation of live contracts; and our overarching strategic approach to contract funding. Each of these allow the contracts team to support Mercy Corps’ European Strategic Plan, and, in turn, our global strategy Pathway to Possibility (P2P).
As we begin an intentional expansion of our contract work – to include new donors across Europe – this is an exciting time to join the contracts team and be a meaningful part of developing our contract portfolio and expertise.
Reporting to the Senior Contracts Manager, the Bid Manager will work with a variety of other HQ Programme units and other departments, including Compliance, Finance, New Initiatives, People & Strategy, Legal, Policy and Advocacy, Mercy Corps Counterparts at Mercy Corps HQ offices in Europe; Mercy Corps donors and partners.

Essential Responsibilities The Bid Manager will support strategic programme development efforts in response to contract opportunities from European institutional donors. They will do this by:
1) supporting prepositioning efforts;
2) leading and/or supporting bid development processes; and
3) writing, editing and reviewing bid documents.
They will help enhance Mercy Corps’ competitiveness by working with the wider contracts team and counterparts in the NI team to develop/improve tools and guidance on the bidding process.

The Bid Manager will contribute to two of the contracts team’s three broad areas of work: pursuit of new business and bid development; support to implementation of live contracts; and our overarching strategic approach to contract funding. Each of these allow the contracts team to support Mercy Corps’ European Strategic Plan, and, in turn, our global strategy Pathway to Possibility (P2P).

As we begin an intentional expansion of our contract work – to include new donors across Europe – this is an exciting time to join the contracts team and be a meaningful part of developing our contract portfolio and expertise.

Reporting to the Senior Contracts Manager, the Bid Manager will work with a variety of other HQ Programme units and other departments, including Compliance, Finance, New Initiatives, People & Strategy, Legal, Policy and Advocacy, Mercy Corps Counterparts at Mercy Corps HQ offices in Europe; Mercy Corps donors and partners.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Bid Development and Support

Supervisory Responsibility : none

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Contracts Manager
Works Directly With: Compliance Adviser, wider Contracts Team, New Initiatives Team, HQ Programmes Teams, Policy and Advocacy, Programme Accountability and Quality, Strategic Partnership Team.

Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

Success FactorsThe Bid Manager must be an expert writer of clear, concise and compelling bids. They must be a detail-oriented multi-tasker who is able to communicate clearly and work under pressure. They must demonstrate patience, flexibility, and taking initiative to solve problems. Vital skills include communication (both written and verbal), as well as building and maintaining effective internal and external relationships. They must demonstrate the ability to understand and follow agency procedures, meet deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a complex distanced-based, multi-cultural team. An exposure to and interest in international development issues is important, and an understanding of the complex challenges faced by programme teams operating in overseas environments is critical.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Edinburgh or London, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing LearningIn support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & InclusionAchieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & EthicsMercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.