Boss Insights

Compensation

Full Description

Boss Insights is a women-owned consulting firm providing bid support, strategic advising, coaching, and training for business development teams and professionals in the international development sector. We are a small organization that is passionate about helping business development teams win more while avoiding burnout. We are committed to equity in our employment strategies and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Boss Insights is seeking experienced grant/proposal experts to serve as consultants supporting our clients in the humanitarian and international development sectors who are experienced in proposal management, capture management, and supporting with business development processes and tools. Experience capturing, writing, managing, and reviewing bids for USDA Food for Education or USDA Food for Progress is required. Candidates should have some training in Shipley Associates model of proposal development. Selected consultants will be listed on the Boss Insights 2026 USDA Roster and have access to the firm’s sub-contract opportunities for the 2026 USDA proposal season. The consultant will be expected to join the Bosscraft community and encouraged to actively participate as a member of this network for freelance consultants. Roles in which we anticipate specific demands for the 2026 USDA season are detailed below. Proposal Coordination or Management Consulting roles typically consist of managing the overall systems, tools, and processes to deliver a high-quality proposal in line with funder expectations and requirements. Illustrative tasks include: • Oversee and manage the entire proposal process and team to ensure that a complete, high-quality proposal is submitted on time • Manage proposal processes in line with organizational requirements, including internal reviews, standards, and sign-off procedures • Develop the proposal calendar, assign tasks, organize regular status check-ins, and update timeline • Coordinate with all members of the proposal team to track progress on key components and ensure adherence to timeline • Serve as organizational expert on the solicitation and funder guidance • Lead and/or track communications with the funder, including gathering and submitting questions and monitoring funder communications • Manage proposal administration communications with proposed partners (such as communicating timelines and coordinating requests for inputs) • Ensure that the technical and cost applications align and meet funder requirements and internal standards for quality, responsiveness, completeness, and competitiveness • Prepare the final submission package, oversee white glove review and final formatting or editing changes, and develop corresponding communications (e.g., email body) in line with funder requirements Capture Management and Travel Consulting roles typically consist of providing overall direction, supportive research, and strategic advising on capture efforts. Illustrative tasks include: • Develop (if not provided by Client) appropriate tools/templates to support capture planning and management • Facilitate development and collection of inputs for blue strategy review from Client team members (using Boss Insights or Client slide deck template) • Research and assess likely competitor strategies or approaches • Co-design and facilitate meetings, including internal strategy discussions and external conversations with potential partners • Help design a teaming strategy • Lead the capture team to develop initial win themes • Co-facilitate design sessions in partnership with Client’s technical lead • Advise on overall communications strategy to support external positioning for the opportunity Proposal Writing Consulting roles typically consist of developing a high-quality technical volume in line with funder expectations and requirements. Illustrative tasks include: • Review needs assessment data and proposal team inputs, conducting complementary desk research to support writing needs as required • Participate in technical design and proposal strategy sessions • Deliver three full technical drafts (pink, red, and gold) in alignment with Bid Boss and Client draft expectations • Attend live proposal review feedback sessions, if scheduled • Collaborate with the proposal manager, technical lead, and/or decision-maker to assess and determine strategies to integrate and/or respond to feedback from color team reviews • Collaborate with the proposal manager to conduct periodic checks with the cost team to ensure alignment of cost and technical volumes as appropriate • Work closely with the proposal manager to ensure that the management plan, corporate capacity statement, and past performance references (PPRs) are completed and that they align with the technical design and solicitation Cost and Pricing Specialist Consulting roles typically consist of developing a high-quality cost volume in line with funder expectations and requirements. Illustrative tasks include: • Review cost proposal guidance and provide support to the Client on interpreting the guidance • Prepare “back-of-the-envelope” budget estimations before or immediately following the kickoff meeting • Develop or adapt budget template(s) in alignment with the solicitation and funder requirements • Advise on collection of local pricing data and establish procedures for costing relevant to proposal deliverables • Develop budget notes and/or narrative in alignment with the solicitation, funder requirements, and organizational standards for completeness • Collaborate with the proposal manager and/or proposal coordinator to ensure the timely development of cost proposal annexes • Collaborate with the proposal manager and/or the designated subrecipient point of contact to ensure that cost proposal inputs are received in a timely manner and appropriate format • Integrate inputs from recruiting team and subrecipients into budget spreadsheet(s) • Develop detailed cost and pricing justification in collaboration with Client team members Other roles that we also regularly received requests for include experts to serve as SMEs or technical leads, technical design facilitators, proposal reviewers, and experts supporting teams in developing business development tools, templates, and processes. Applications from these areas may be accepted as well. REQUIREMENTS • One of more years of direct experience on USDA proposals is required • Three of more years of direct capture, business development, proposal writing, and/or cost proposal development experience is required • Strong English language communication skills are required COMPENSATION Actual consulting rates will be negotiated with individual consultants. Boss Insights completes all invoicing on behalf of our consultants. Rates range between $85-105 per hour, dependent on experience. Boss Insights charges clients a fixed percentage on top of hourly rates paid to subcontracted consultants. APPLICATION PROCESS • Click "apply" on LinkedIn to submit your initial interest. • Selected applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed application, providing more information on their USDA experience, including geographic, technical, and client experience. • Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with the Boss Insights founder to discuss potential client matches and negotiate rate information.