Overview of the Position - Associate

Based in Islamabad, the Associate will assist the Manager, New Business Development, with day-to-day tasks related to new business and project management support. The Associate will play a key role in identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities, while also nurturing existing client relationships to ensure sustained growth. Additionally, the Associate will support project management on ongoing projects by tracking activity progress, coordinating between program and corporate stakeholders, and proactively addressing any bottlenecks.

The ideal candidate will have a proactive mindset, excellent communication skills, and a strong understanding of business development principles. In this collaborative team setting, the role requires working closely with others while also being able to work autonomously with minimal direction. Superior analytical, quantitative, and conceptual thinking skills, along with strong interpersonal and communication abilities, will contribute to successful business opportunities and team performance.

The Associate will also support core business development tasks, including maintaining trackers, developing concept notes, monitoring donor pipelines, pre-positioning, proposal development, bid submission, post-award support, and project delivery support. Additional responsibilities will include supporting stakeholder engagement events and assisting the Manager, New Business Development with other assigned tasks. The candidate is expected to develop new skills and build upon their existing strengths. Employees receive exceptional training, as well as frequent coaching and mentoring from colleagues and senior leaders within the organization.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support the Manager, New Business Development in identifying, assessing, and preparing new business opportunities that align with the company's objectives and capabilities
• Collaborate with internal teams to gather insights and ensure that proposal development aligns with client requirements and objectives.
• Assist the Program Manager with project delivery activities, including tracking project progress, managing activities and events through operational support, and maintaining relevant trackers.
• Assist in the development and execution of comprehensive business development strategies, including market research, competitor analysis, and opportunity identification.
• Support outreach efforts, communications, and presentations to potential clients and partners to enhance DAI's visibility in Pakistan and globally.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop high-quality proposals, presentations, and other business development materials that are tailored to client needs
• Research and monitor the business forecast pipeline for Pakistan from USAID, FCDO, EU, ADB, UNDP, GIZ, WB and other donors.
• Conduct and present competitor analysis to identify gaps and develop strategies for upcoming opportunities
• Actively participate in networking events, conferences, and industry forums to increase the company's visibility and generate lead
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and ethical standards in all business development activities

Requirements (Education, Experience, Skills, Languages.):

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of progressive experience in the development sector or international development projects is preferred.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on driving results and achieving business objectives.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software. Knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques is desirable.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and create an inclusive environment with people at all levels of an organization.
• Capability to drive an independent workstream in the context of a broader team project.
• Ability to break down and solve problems through quantitative thinking and analysis
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in English and Urdu.
• Comfort with ambiguous, ever-changing situations
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all business dealings.