Description
Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
Job Summary:
TechnoServe’s West Africa Regional Team implements a portfolio of programs in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Benin. The team is currently seeking a dedicated business development professional to build upon the existing portfolio and support the development of new business opportunities in the region.
The Business Development Manager is a central part of the West Africa regional team and will play a key role in helping to expand the organization’s business solutions to poverty. The Manager will work closely with country teams and report to the Senior Program Development Manager. S/he will be a dynamic participant in all aspects of program development, gaining exposure to economic development and sustainable business models across the organization’s footprint in the region.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
- Contribute to overall new business strategy in collaboration with country teams, Senior Program Development Manager, and Regional Director, assessing regional performance against Key Performance Indicators and annual sales targets
- Review and synthesize key donor priorities to identify areas for regional growth and support identification of new business opportunities to develop a strong, diversified pipeline
- Collaborate with country teams and TechnoServe global practice areas to develop concept notes and proposals that incorporate best practices from TechnoServe’s core areas of expertise
- Execute all aspects of proposal development, including managing and coordinating complex efforts with dispersed proposal team members, drafting and editing technical proposals, gathering budget inputs, liaising with key partners, and customizing past performance references
- Support capture, research and analytical efforts to inform evidence-based program design
- Convene and participate in meetings with external stakeholders, articulating a clear understanding of TechnoServe’s past and present portfolio in the region
- Support knowledge management by synthesizing TechnoServe’s work in qualification statements for core technical areas and geographies, and capturing donor knowledge and interactions in TechnoServe’s CRM system (Salesforce)
- Ensure proposal development efforts are adequately resourced, including providing advisory/ capacity building support to country/ program teams and overseeing management of external consultants as needed
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum 7 years of experience with of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience with a Master’s Degree
- At least 3 years in business development with a proven track record of managing and contributing to winning proposals
- Strong familiarity with project design and implementation in international development and knowledge of the international development funder landscape
- Strong written and oral communication skills with an enthusiasm for writing
- Experience working with or leading geographically dispersed colleagues and project teams
- English Fluency
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in agricultural development/agribusiness/economic growth/enterprise development/market systems development/women’s economic empowerment
- Experience living or working in emerging markets, especially in West Africa or elsewhere on the continent.
- Experience cultivating relationships and liaising directly with donors and partners
- Proficiency in French preferred
Travel
- 10-20%
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Attention to detail, orientation to quality, and high degree of follow-through
- Ability to perform under pressure, be flexible, work independently, manage multiple tasks, and work effectively as a manager and team member in a fast-paced multi-cultural environment
- Strong critical thinking, problem solving skills
- Passionate about market-led approaches that support people in low-income communities to improve their livelihoods
This position will be based in one of the West African countries where TechnoServe has operations including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin or Nigeria. This position is open to national and international candidates. All application materials must be submitted in English for further consideration.
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.