Proposal Developer

About Us:

Cynosure is a globally recognized International Development Consultancy Firm that provides high-quality research and management services to renowned clients, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, UNEP, ILO, FAO, UNIDO), the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and other international donors, NGOs, and financial institutions. With a proven track record of working in over 70 countries across six continents, we are a trusted partner dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and advisory services in the development sector.

We are seeking a Proposal Developer to take a leading role in the preparation of winning bids for global development tenders. This position is ideal for professionals aiming to establish themselves as international consultants within the next 3–5 years, offering direct exposure to high-level business development, strategic positioning, and partnership building in the global development space.

Role Overview:

As a Proposal Developer, you will lead the development, coordination, and submission of competitive proposals for international development opportunities across multiple thematic sectors, including climate change, socioeconomic development, renewable energy, governance, gender equality, and environment. The role requires strong analytical, writing, and coordination skills to interpret complex client requirements and develop compelling technical and financial proposals. You will also coordinate with leading international experts, partner organizations, and internal teams to ensure high-quality, timely, and compliant submissions. 

Beyond managing individual proposals, you will contribute to strengthening Cynosure’s proposal development processes through improved quality assurance practices, knowledge sharing, and mentoring and guiding Proposal Analysts.

Cynosure offers a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, with opportunities to take ownership of challenging assignments, contribute directly to the company’s growth, and advance your personal and professional development. 

Key Responsibilities:

Working under the guidance of a Quality Assurance Lead, the incumbent will:

1. Proposal Management and Development

• Conduct thorough desk reviews of Terms of Reference (ToRs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), accompanying annexes, programme documents, and other relevant source materials to develop a sound understanding of the assignment, its context, and client requirements.
• Manage the proposal development process for assigned opportunities, from opportunity tracking to submission, under the guidance of the Quality Assurance Lead.
• Draft and refine technical sections of proposals, including methodology, project management, and capacity statements.
• Coordinate the development of financial proposals, ensuring alignment between proposed methodologies, team composition, levels of effort, and budgets.
• Ensure all proposals meet client compliance requirements and are strategically tailored to client expectations.
• Maintain regular consultations with the Quality Assurance Lead to review proposal strategies, discuss technical decisions, monitor progress, and coordinate internal quality assurance processes.

2. Team Composition and Expert Management

• Oversee and guide expert identification, selection, and team structuring, ensuring profiles align with client requirements.
• Guide Proposal Analysts in tailoring consultant CVs and developing key expert profiles and biographies ensuring alignment with client requirements.
• Review and quality-assure all expert-related inputs, ensuring the coherence, competitiveness, and compliance of the proposed team.

3. Research and Proposal Support

• Undertake and oversee background research on client priorities, country and sector contexts, development sector trends, and relevant past performance to inform proposals.
• Identify, curate, and refine Cynosure’s organizational experience references, project references, and other supporting materials for inclusion in proposals.
• Leverage AI-based tools to enhance efficiency in background research, drafting, and synthesis, while ensuring ethical and accurate use.
• Support the development of reusable content libraries and proposal templates to improve efficiency.

4. Document Design, Formatting, and Presentation

• Ensure the professional formatting and presentation of proposal documents, including page layouts, tables, figures, annexes, and visual consistency, in accordance with client requirements.
• Develop or supervise the preparation of charts, infographics, and other visual materials to enhance the clarity, readability, and overall quality of proposals.

5. Collaboration, Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing:

• Collaborate with other Proposal Developers and Proposal Development Specialists to exchange knowledge, share resources, and strengthen proposal development practices.
• Provide guidance and supervision to Proposal Analysts and Coordinators, including task allocation, review of outputs, and constructive feedback.
• Mentor junior team members in research, technical writing, proposal development, and document formatting to strengthen their skills and promote consistent quality standards.

Key Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Business, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field; degrees from internationally recognized institutions are highly preferred;
• At least 2-3 years of demonstrable experience in proposal development within an international development consultancy, NGO, or donor environment;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, including professional document formatting and layout, along with strong working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator is an asset.
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear and persuasive proposals.
• Strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments, supervise junior team members, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, including the ability to interpret complex tender documents and identify critical technical and compliance requirements.
• Interest in and ability to use AI-based tools responsibly to support research, drafting, and proposal development.
• A proactive, self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a small, dynamic team;
• Willingness to work overtime when necessary to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities; and
• Access to reliable commute to the office.

What We Offer:

At Cynosure, we foster a work environment that values independence, initiative, and creativity. This is an exciting opportunity for those who enjoy working in a multi-sectoral environment and who want to contribute to impactful global projects. You will have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally by working alongside global development experts, solving real-world challenges, and continuously learning on the job.

We offer:

• Competitive remuneration (in the range of PKR 130,000 – PKR 150,000 per month), depending on qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• A robust performance-based bonus scheme tied to the success of proposals and projects secured.
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid work model – work from home one day a week (Wednesday) to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Support in attending relevant training and networking events.
• An empowering and collaborative team culture, where your ideas and contributions are highly valued.

Note: This position is based in our Islamabad (Pakistan) office.

How to Apply: If you are a highly organized, creative, and motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, we invite you to apply by clicking apply or filling the application form at this link:

https://forms.gle/NB7ArQUxr1JUDH2A8

We look forward to hearing from you!