Job Description: Bid Writer
Service
Innovation & Business Development Team
Job Title
Bid Writer (KC1693)
Base
National Post – Flexible Base & Home Working Opportunities
(Base TBC on award)
Hours
37.5 per week
Salary Range
Points 34 – 36 (£30,278.79 - £31,728.65)
Reports to
National Business Development Manager
Purpose of Job
To support the development of our Innovation and Business
Development Team through creative and innovative bid writing, to
support the growth and diversification of CRI’s service portfolio.
We are seeking an experienced Bid Writer who is motivated,
organised and who has previous knowledge of the substance misuse
or criminal justice sector. The post will manage the development of
bids (up to multi-million pound contracts) by translating Directors
strategic vision and liaising with key contributors from across the
organisation into tailored, bespoke, innovative and evidence-based
responses in line with commissioned specifications, word/page limit
restrictions and deadlines. This is a national post, and will include
some travel across the country and may include working some
unsociable hours.
Job Activities:

Attend initial service model ‘vision’ meeting with Directors and translate this
into the bid

Analyse, coordinate, write and develop comprehensive PQQ/ITT responses
incorporating the requirements of the commissioned specification, within strict
timescales

Incorporate local knowledge, evidence/research, CRI values and writing
style/branding (supported by local staff teams); ensuring bid is targeted to
defined audience, consisting of an evidence base and innovative approaches
as advised by experts across the organisation and best practice nationally

Project manage and incorporate input from partners, clinical team, data,
facilities team, IT team, local teams and Service(s) Manager as necessary, to
ensure a consistent and coherent final bid against scoring criteria

Provide structured format and text for others contributing to bid. Quality
assure, re-write for consistency/correct grammar as necessary and provide
constructive feedback to ensure meaningful and succinct information is
obtained

Quality assure and provide peer review function of other Bid Writers work.

Articulate best practice from around the country.

Review and amend draft bid in light of feedback from Peers, Director and
Tender Coordinator.

Ensure bid is submitted for review to internal quality assurance team by stated
deadlines

Attend conferences and events where appropriate
Additional Responsibilities:

Following submission of bid, extract key information from tender and manage
information in-line with information management processes and following
internal feedback analysis processes

Review, interpret and evaluate pre-written resources, and in collaboration with
lead experts across the organisation, update, re-invigorate and re-write to
ensure up-to-date information is on file

Be proactive in seeking new innovations in specialist areas and communicate
amongst team in monthly meetings

Support with Policy Writing when necessary

Work flexibly across the organisation (SCHI & CRI divisions) to support
Directors dependent on tender activity to ensure a unified and consistent
approach to bids

Support National Business Development Manager with any other activity as
required
Person Specification
Essential Requirements:

Experience of writing successful bid submissions

Operational Knowledge of Substance Misuse and/or Criminal Justice services

Strong MS Office Skills and IT Literacy

Excellent proof reading skills with a keen eye for accuracy and detail, including
ensuring responses adhere to word/page limits

Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
while maintaining a high standard of quality

Capacity to travel with occasional overnight stays

Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing and ability to
foster credible collaborative relationships

Respond flexibly to the demands of the post

Team player who is willing to adapt to changing priorities of the business

Contribute openly to National Business Development Manager and wider team
with innovations and ideas to ensure the success and development of the
department
And the ability to:

Review a vast amount of information, extract relevant content and re-write to
ensure innovative and up-to-date bid content

Communicate complex issues in writing in an accessible and engaging
manner, that is visually impacting

Seek out relevant information proactively from a variety of sources from across
departmental boundaries and from external research / partners

Operate in a high pressured environment and respond proactively to
challenges

Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under time
deadlines and pressure

Be tactful and diplomatic when offering constructive feedback to
colleagues/external partners and instil motivation to contribute

Understand and have a commitment to the principles of equal opportunity and
diversity

Understand and have a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Understand and adopt CRI’s core values
Desirable Criteria:

Relevant degree in the social care, health or criminal justice field inc.
Business, Marketing, Social Sciences, English (list not exhaustive)

Detailed knowledge of the wider funding environment

Project Management or Bid Management previous work experience
Induction
It is recognised that potential candidates may come from a wide range of
backgrounds. You may be a specialist bid writer that will need induction into the field
or alternatively you may have primarily operational experience. CRI will provide a
thorough induction that builds on your skills and knowledge.
This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level.
Amendments: This description accurately reflects the present position; it may
be amended and reviewed. Any change will be made following a proper period
of consultation.