Job Description

World Change Starts with Educated Children
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IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.
Senior Proposal Development Consultant
Open to applicants in the US, UK, India and Australia

Position Overview
The Senior Proposal Development Consultant will serve as the strategic lead for high-value, complex funding opportunities. This consultancy provides expert support in securing competitive grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts from bilateral and multilateral donors, along with major international foundations.

As the proposal development lead, the consultant will drive cross-functional collaboration across operations, finance, programs, RM&E, and development teams. The role requires subject-matter insight and strong project management to guide the full proposal lifecycle--from opportunity assessment and concept development through final submission.

Key responsibilities:

Leading kickoff meetings and establishing internal workplans Designing program strategies aligned with donor priorities and organizational capabilities Advising on budget development with finance partners Leading technical writing and narrative development Ensuring compliance with donor requirements Managing review and approval processes with internal leaders Integrating inputs from multiple teams into a cohesive, competitive proposal package

This is a project-based consulting arrangement. The consultant will report to the Director of Grants Management and partner closely with the assigned Relationship Manager to jointly lead each proposal effort.

Deliverables & Timeline
The start date for this consultancy is January 1, 2026 and the end date is December 31, 2026. Deliverables will be defined per opportunity and typically include:

Pre-ProposalOpportunity assessment and go/no-go recommendation Proposal workplan with roles, responsibilities, and internal deadlines Kickoff meeting facilitation

Proposal DevelopmentTechnical approach and program design framework (e.g., theory of change, intervention logic) Budget narrative and justification (with finance team) Full draft technical proposal, aligned with donor requirements Revised proposal incorporating stakeholder feedback Final proposal for executive approval Polished submission package with all required annexes and supporting documents

Post-Submission (as needed)Responses to donor questions or requests for clarification Support for presentations or interviews required by the donor Completing required donor reports on complex proposals

Engagement periods typically range from 2-6 weeks depending on complexity and deadlines. Urgent opportunities may require rapid mobilization. We anticipate having three to five projects for calendar year 2026.

Invoicing & ReimbursementMonthly invoices based on hours/days worked; net-30 payment terms Invoices should outline activities completed and time associated with each deliverable Pre-approved expenses reimbursed separately with receipts

Qualifications
Required5+ years of grant writing experience in international development, of which at least 4 years has been leading proposals for bilateral/multilateral donors (e.g., USAID, FCDO, GAC, World Bank, regional development banks) Demonstrated success securing seven-figure+ awards from institutional donors and/or major foundations Strong technical writing and ability to translate program concepts into compelling narratives Experience coordinating cross-functional, globally distributed teams Knowledge of program design and international development best practices (education and gender equality experience preferred) Familiarity with budget development and donor-specific financial requirements Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines independently Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and facilitation skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaborative document management High proficiency in AI-assisted writing tools (e.g., ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, Claude)

PreferredBachelor's degree or higher in international development, public policy, journalism, communications, or related field Experience working in global NGOs Experience with proposals in Africa, South Asia (especially India), Southeast Asia, and/or the Middle East Prior consulting experience in grants or business development Knowledge of U.S. or EU government compliance requirements Experience mentoring staff in proposal development best practices

Please submit a CV or resume, along with a writing sample (completed proposals if possible), and your hourly rate by no later than December 10, 2025.
Child Protection PrinciplesRoom to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation. All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse. All children should be treated with respect and dignity. The well-being of the child is Room to Read's first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse. Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) PrinciplesRoom to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse. Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated. All adults should be treated with respect and dignity. Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor's rights and dignity at the forefront. Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read's Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.About Room to Read:

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow - creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children's libraries filled with diverse children's books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.
We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.
Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.