Junior Strategist

Summary

The Junior Strategist will be a member of Zinc's Strategy Team, responsible for developing and implementing strategies, workshops, campaigns, and programs for clients. The position requires strong analytical skills, excellent writing abilities, and understanding of the international development landscape. The Junior Strategist will be based in London and report to a Senior Strategist.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in international development, communications, behaviour change, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• 2-4 years of experience in strategy, consulting, or international development
• Experience with human-centered design, behaviour change, and/or program design and strategy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Willingness to occasionally work outside of regular business hours to meet proposal deadlines

Responsibilities

• Draft technical approaches for proposals and concept notes submitted to clients
• Conduct research to inform concept notes and proposals
• Ensure proposals and concept notes include Theories of Change (TOC) that reflect clear impacts, behavioural outcomes, outputs, and activities, and are linked to key performance indicators
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and researchers to ensure accurate and compelling content and audience insights in proposals
• Work closely with pricing analysts and program managers to ensure activities described in concept notes and proposals are properly budgeted, staffed, and supported by project examples
• Ensure alignment of proposed strategies with client priorities and development goals
• Develop clear agendas and strategies for Zinc’s workshops, events, trainings, and sprints
• Ensure each assigned project has a clear Theory of Change (TOC) supported by a project narrative
• Coordinate with the research team, synthesizing research findings into actionable recommendations and strategic insights for assigned projects
• Work with project managers on assigned projects to draft change stories for clients
• Support the development of campaign/creative, digital, and research briefs on projects
• Support the drafting of key analytical documents, including political economy analyses, conflict and context analyses, and gender and social inclusion assessments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with proposal writing or business development in the international development sector
• Familiarity with major clients in international development (e.g., FCDO, USAID, DOS) and their strategic priorities

Benefits

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation. They will also undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting