Catherine Mcmahon Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc

Provides strategic support to mission-driven teams and organizations on Organizational Processes, Workshop Design and Delivery, and Program Development and Management. Recent assignments include: Facilitation Guide Development: Created a detailed facilitation guide for a weeklong methodology training; reviewed background materials and interviewed staff, documented existing best practices and session designs, developed new activities and participatory workshop approaches and methods where needed. Learning Awards Strategy Review: Conducted focus group interviews with technical team leaders and reviewed background documentation on the management of global learning awards. Designed and facilitated a three-part virtual workshop with team leaders to discuss current management processes and possible improvements. Developed final report summarizing interview and workshop discussions and findings, with process and management improvement recommendations.  Strategic Proposal Advice: Advised on competitiveness strategy and proposal processes; provided practical suggestions to improve responsiveness to donor requirements and maximize competitiveness of proposal narratives for multiple clients.  Program Management and Technical Reviews: member of two-person teams conducting internal reviews of large multi-sectoral programs, and providing practical, actionable recommendations to improve program’s ability to deliver critical goals. Complex Program Process Analysis: In-depth analysis of an internal initiative to improve support to high-value, high-impact programs, including recommendations to build on strengths and make improvements where needed, development of tools and guidance for program review process, and targeted analysis of start-up support.

Washington, Dc

As part of a six-person management team, co-led vision-setting, strategic planning, and overall team management for 40 people working on ten technical teams. Directly managed two teams: The New Initiatives team is responsible for strategic proposal development and practice, leading the largest, most complex proposal efforts for the organization. Provided critical mentoring, advocacy and support to secure adequate resources, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure the team’s success in developing competitive, high-quality, innovative proposals. Over my last year in this role, the team successfully led and won the three largest proposals developed for the organization, resulting in over $130 million in country program funding, over 30% of the agency’s annual budget. The Food Security Team is responsible for food security strategy and technical support. Provided targeted support and representation for strategic food security programs, including chairing the internal oversight board of Mercy Corps’ $20 million USAID/Food for Peace (FFP)-funded Development Food Aid Program in Niger, serving on the Program Advisory Council of the FFP-funded Technical and Operational Program Support project, and maintaining key donor contacts for other large, strategic food security programs. Supported and mentored the Food Security team in providing technical support to a $400 million portfolio of over 90 projects in 42 countries.

Washington, Dc

Managed a team of four program development professionals who led 10-15 strategic proposals and supported an additional 30-50 per year, while leading and improving overall agency program development practices. In this period, proposals led by the team had a win rate of over 50%, resulting in over $300 million in country program funding. Advised management teams on prioritization and support of key initiatives and coordinated with program and technical teams to ensure robust staff support for strategic opportunities. Led partnership negotiations and management for critical proposals. Assessed trends in donor funding, program design and agency competitiveness and facilitated capture activities. Identified staff capacity needs for program design and proposal development and led team in developing and delivering mentoring, tools, and training staff in both headquarters and field offices.

Washington, Dc

Led and supported the development of over 60 proposals to institutional donors, overseeing program design, partnership, budget development, and proposal writing and review processes to ensure high-quality proposals and program designs, with a win rate over 60% on proposals I led, resulting in over $250 million in program funding. Led complex program design processes for multi-sectoral, multi-agency proposals, coordinating input from technical specialists, field team staff and partner organizations to ensure strong program designs reflecting local context and best practices. Supported project start-up for successful proposals to ensure effective transfer of program design, partnership and management details to implementation teams. Supported agency-wide initiatives to improve program design and proposal quality, including developing improved reference materials and tools for proposal writers, and mentoring and training field and headquarters program staff involved in proposal development.

Silver Spring, Md

Provided management and technical support to programs in Asia, Africa and the Middle East Senior Program Officer for Asia: Provided direct oversight and support to the Indonesia portfolio of over $20 million and 12 donors for post-disaster reconstruction and economic development activities. Coordinated all new business activities in Asia. Duties included proposal development, reviews of programmatic and financial program reports, technical guidance to field offices, and traveling to provide short-term technical assistance to ongoing programs. (October 2006-August 2007) Interim Program Development Officer, Africa/Middle East: Developed technical and cost proposals, in close consultation with field offices, for submission to bilateral donors, private foundations, and corporate sponsors, including proposals for programs in food security, livelihoods development, value chain enhancement, and advocacy training, to be implemented in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Gaza and the West Bank. (April – September 2006) Acting Program Manager, Banda Aceh, Indonesia: Managed implementation of a $10 million USAID-funded housing reconstruction program. Worked with Community Outreach Consultant and program staff to develop tailored community outreach plan. Oversaw revision of contract bid procedures. Successfully organized a Congressional Delegation visit to a CHF project site. Developed organizational contacts to identify sources of collaboration and additional funding. (January – March 2006) Interim Program Officer, Asia: Provided management support to programs in seven countries in Central and East Asia, including housing and infrastructure reconstruction, microfinance, and economic development programs. (October-December 2005)

Asmara, Eritrea

Managed a $600,000 project providing water supply and sanitation improvements to five rural communities through a participatory development process. Trained local NGO staff in community outreach methodology. Designed community training programs. Represented the program to the donor, sector working groups and local government agencies. Developed and implemented low-cost housing assessment targeted at displaced populations seeking resettlement. Conducted in-depth assessment of handicrafts sector and developed a proposal to strengthen the sector’s ability to provide incomes to rural households. Traveled to and provided technical assistance in program management and staff capacity building to program offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen, for projects in HIV/AIDS, food security, and vocational training.

Silver Spring, Md

Supported a broad portfolio of microfinance, community development, local governance, and small business development projects for seven countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Monitored all project financial and programmatic reports for irregularities and compliance with corporate policies; maintained daily contact with field offices to flag issues and identify support needs. Led recruitment of short and long-term staff to address the field’s technical assistance needs. Wrote technical and cost proposals for new business in community infrastructure, home improvement lending, resettlement for displaced populations, and infrastructure reconstruction. Co-wrote agency-wide community development methodology manual used in all participatory community development projects worldwide, synthesizing input from field directors and implementers.

Chevy Chase, Md

Under a contract with USAID/FFP, undertook positions of increasing responsibility in program management, training design and delivery, and research and writing.

Bucharest, Romania

Designed and taught English conversation classes including units encouraging comparative thinking and cross-cultural understanding, and implemented special projects focused on women and girls’ leadership.

Ma, International Communication

B.A., Comparative Literature

Master Of Arts - Ma, International And Intercultural Communication

Bachelor Of Arts, Comparative Literature