Consultant - Commercial Diplomacy, Trade Promotion & Business Enabling Environment

About the role

Creative Associates International, founded in 1977 and active in more than 115 countries, is seeking experts in Commercial Diplomacy, Trade Promotion and Business Enabling Environment to support business development for the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. Government clients. The Consultant leads or contributes to concept notes, statements of interest and full applications, provides thought leadership and designs technically sound approaches aligned with current USG priorities, working on an as-needed basis under consultant agreements with effort set per assignment.

Key responsibilities

• Draft concept notes, statements of interest and technical narratives for USG solicitations covering commercial diplomacy, trade promotion and business-enabling reforms.
• Develop technical approaches based on sound theories of change, aligned with priorities such as economic security, supply chain resilience, critical minerals and opportunities for U.S. business.
• Provide intelligence on client priorities, the competitive landscape and prior USG- and donor-funded programs.
• Identify and recommend potential partners, subject-matter experts and key stakeholders.
• Integrate inputs from technical experts, partners and pricing staff into compliant submissions within page limits and deadlines.
• Review proposal drafts against evaluation criteria and give written red-team feedback.
• Participate in capture, design and proposal discussions as a subject-matter expert.

Required profile

• BA degree in international economics, trade policy, international affairs, business, law or a related field; MA preferred.
• At least ten years of professional experience, including at least six in commercial diplomacy, trade promotion, investment climate or private sector development.
• Demonstrated record of writing successful concept notes or proposals for USG clients.
• Fluency in English; only finalists will be contacted.

Required skills

• Working knowledge of USG assistance and acquisition instruments (grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) and solicitation processes (NOFO, APS, RFA, RFP).
• Excellent writing, analytical and interpersonal skills, able to work in a multidisciplinary team under tight deadlines.