Business Development Intern

What You'll Do

RFP Drafting & Development (60%)

• Review and analyze RFP requirements, identifying key themes, evaluation criteria, and strategic opportunities
• Draft initial responses to RFP sections, translating Azimu Group's methodology, approach, and past work into compelling narratives
• Synthesize research findings, case studies, and organizational capabilities into clear, persuasive proposal language
• Tailor our approach to align with each opportunity's specific context, priorities, and requirements
• Support the development of project scopes, timelines, and deliverables that reflect realistic capacity and excellence

Research & Synthesis (25%)

• Conduct background research on issuing organizations to understand their mission, priorities, and past initiatives
• Gather and organize relevant case studies, data, and evidence to strengthen proposal narratives
• Support literature reviews and environmental scans when proposals require contextual analysis
• Maintain and update our repository of organizational capabilities, past performance examples, and boilerplate language

Collaboration & Learning (15%)

• Work closely with leadership to refine proposals based on strategic direction and technical expertise
• Participate in proposal strategy discussions, learning how to position capabilities competitively
• Contribute to continuous improvement of our proposal development process
• Support other business development activities as capacity allows

What We're Looking For

Must-Haves:

• Currently enrolled in a doctoral program (PhD, EdD, DrPH, etc.) or MBA program
• Exceptional writing skills—you can explain complex concepts clearly, persuasively, and concisely
• Strong analytical abilities—you can quickly understand requirements and identify what matters most
• High attention to detail—you catch inconsistencies, typos, and structural issues
• Excellent organizational skills—you manage multiple deadlines and keep track of complex requirements
• Mission-aligned—you genuinely care about equitable resilience, social justice, and community-centered work
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a startup environment
• Strong time management—you can prioritize effectively and meet tight deadlines

Nice-to-Haves:

• Previous experience with grant writing, proposal development, or RFP responses
• Background in public policy, public administration, urban planning, public health, education, or related fields
• Familiarity with government contracting or foundation funding processes
• Experience synthesizing research for practitioner audiences
• Understanding of one or more of the five global disruptors (automation, climate change, hyper-urbanization, pandemics, wealth inequality)

Personal Qualities We Value:

• Strategic Thinking
• Intellectual Curiosity
• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Collaborative Spirit
• Resilience
• Clear Communication
• Commitment to Equity