Cost Specialist

Near East Foundation

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is a non-profit international development organization headquartered in Syracuse, New York. NEF has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in its approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. NEF programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

The Role

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking a talented and motivated individual for the position of Cost Specialist to be based in its Washington, D.C. headquarters as part of the Business Development (BD) team. As a Cost Specialist you will be responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of cost proposals and supporting documents in compliance with solicitation requirements. Your role will involve collaborating with proposal teams, providing cost advice, negotiating budgetary items, and preparing proposals budget to support NEF’s new business efforts effectively.

1. Cost Proposal Preparation: Ensure that required cost proposals and supporting documents are prepared promptly and are accurate and compliant with solicitation requirements. Prepare line-item budgets and supporting documentation for cost proposal submissions, including budget narratives, certifications, and financial information. Support the development of cost-benefit and value for money Analyses. For all shared costs, ensure that cost proposals take into account NEF’s ongoing projects, current projects end dates, and committed expenses.
2. Cost Advice and Negotiation: Provide cost advice to proposal teams in alignment with proposal objectives, ensuring that proposed budgets are realistic, competitive, and aligned with NEF’s financial policies and procedures. Negotiate budgetary items with sub-partners under the guidance of technical staff and the VP of Business Development, ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with donor regulations.
3. Proposal Budget Reviews: Present draft proposal budgets for cost proposal reviews, soliciting feedback from relevant team members at NEF HQ and country offices to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with NEF’s standards and guidelines.
4. Budget Refinement and Compliance: Refine budget templates and narratives as necessary to streamline the proposal development process and enhance proposal quality and competitiveness. Assist in the development and enforcement of compliance with NEF’s cost and pricing processes and procedures, ensuring adherence to organizational standards and donor requirements.
5. Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvement and assist in the implementation of initiatives to streamline and optimize NEF’s cost and pricing processes.
6. Full Cost Recovery and Value for Money: Partner with NEF managers and senior leadership to ensure forward-looking costs and staffing are included in proposal budgets. Suggest best practices in cost allowance to demonstrate value for money and effective stewardship of resources.
7. Other duties as assigned.

Crosscutting:

Uphold NEF’s core values of localization, respect, inclusion, and integrity by helping to build an environment of accountability and learning, keeping work commitments and respecting colleagues’ time, listening to diverse colleagues, and participating in regular feedback and performance reviews.

Commitment to NEF mission, curiosity, a strong willingness to learn and understand NEF’s programs and the communities and stakeholders who are our partners in development, and a capacity for passionate advocacy for locally led and impactful work.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost proposal development, in the international development sector.
• Strong understanding of financial principles, budgeting processes, and cost analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with donor regulations and compliance requirements, particularly those of major institutional donors (e.g., USAID, FCDO, EU, UN, GIZ).
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide strategic recommendations.
• Advanced skills in budgeting software, Microsoft Excel, and other relevant financial management tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across departments and organizations.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.

Required Qualification

• Candidates must be legally authorized to live and work in the United States without company sponsorship now and in the future.

Desired Skills

• Proficiency in French and/or Arabic is a plus.

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