PSI is a long-time recipient of UK Department for International Development (DFID) funding; however, increased competition for funding and riskier contracting mechanisms, like pay-for-performance, require additional expertise to assess and pursue opportunities. PSI therefore seeks to build its DFID knowledge, including donor culture, priorities, language/terminology, and familiarity with commercial tender formats and requirements. In addition, PSI would like to improve its understanding of the various funding mechanisms DFID uses, particularly performance-based financing.
We are looking for a DFID Contracts Commercial Specialist Consultant to provide advisory services, training, and technical assistance on DFID contracts for PSI staff involved in developing commercial tenders, including members of PSI’s New Business Development team, Grants and Contracts Team, Regional Support Teams, and others. S/he will provide one-on-one or small group consultations via email or teleconference, review tender documents and provide feedback to improve PSI’s competitiveness, share intel related to DFID priorities and the funding landscape, and conduct formal trainings for PSI staff as needed. The consultancy will be flexible to allow for both ad hoc advisory services and more intensive assistance and review on live DFID bids. Depending on the opportunity and availability of the consultant h/she may be asked to lead on a commercial tender.
This is a remote consultancy. While the consultant will be working mostly with DC-based staff, she/he can be located anywhere.
PSI seeks a short-term DFID Contracts Commercial Specialist Consultant to provide advisory and technical services related to DFID commercial tenders and/or lead commercial tender development for upcoming new business opportunities.
This will include:
- Support and/or lead development of prime and partner commercial tenders, inclusive but not limited to budget, narrative, and value for money requirements in close collaboration with core tender team;
- Design and analyze cost effectiveness, value for money, and performance-based payment models to inform financial decisions throughout the commercial tender development;
- Provide on call technical assistance and advisory services for core proposal teams related to commercial tenders;
- Develop commercial tender guidance for prime and partners in collaboration with our Cost & Pricing team to support a competitive bid for ongoing and planned new business opportunities;
- Review prime and partner commercial tenders, providing feedback at various points throughout the process;
- Liaise with our Cost & Pricing team and core tender team to ensure internal best practices and risk mitigation strategy is addressed as well as alignment to technical and project implementation;
- Ensure prime & partner commercial tender is responsive to the RFP and its amendments;
- Complete other commercial tender supporting documents, as outlined in the RFP and agreed upon with the core proposal team. This may include items such as: executive summary for the commercial tender, financial risk assessment, pricing details using commercial proformas, value for money analysis, etc.;
- Finalize commercial tender package for submission in accordance with RFP guidelines; and
- Other tasks, as assigned and agreed upon with the core proposal team related to the development of the commercial tender
- The Commercial Tender Specialist will have a proven expertise and demonstrated leadership in procurement of DFID contracts, particularly commercial tender requirements, and demonstrated success with DFID commercial tenders, including value for money approaches and performance-based payment opportunities.