A strategic role within the organization’s structure, this position is designed to drive key initiatives and support overarching business objectives through effective execution of core responsibilities and collaborative efforts across departments, ensuring alignment with the company’s vision, mission, and long-term goals.
The Regional BD Manager is accountable to the Regional Head of Programs at Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa Expertise Centre, collaborating closely with the Managing Director, Country Managers, country Business Development focal points, and country-level teams. This role involves offering strategic guidance and mentorship to country-level teams, enhancing business development frameworks, donor intelligence capabilities, and the overall quality of proposals throughout the region.
Key Result Areas
Market intelligence and pipeline management are integral to our strategic initiatives, encompassing the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to market trends, competitor activities, and customer behavior. This role requires a meticulous approach to identifying growth opportunities, assessing market potential, and forecasting demand to inform decision-making. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate forecasts, monitoring pipeline performance, and developing actionable insights to guide business development efforts. Additionally, the position demands proficiency in data analysis tools, strong communication skills for presenting findings, and the ability to collaborate across teams to drive informed strategies.
Develop and sustain a robust market intelligence framework designed to monitor donor approaches, funding patterns, and new prospects within Solidaridad’s key focus areas.
Identify, evaluate, and monitor pertinent upcoming funding prospects by leveraging proactive intelligence gathering, strategic partner relationships, and internal assets.
Develop and oversee a dynamic funding pipeline dashboard that synthesizes insights from both country-specific teams and worldwide platforms, facilitating immediate decision-making and accurate forecasting.
Develop quarterly funding forecasts and donor trend analyses to guide strategic positioning and resource allocation decisions across regional operations.
Coordinate the Go/No-Go evaluation process for opportunity identification, selection, and tracking by implementing data-driven criteria while maintaining full transparency in prioritizing high-impact opportunities.
Develop and implement standardized templates, tools, and processes for concept notes, budgets, and annexes to establish efficiency, maintain high-quality standards, and ensure uniformity across all proposals.
Country Capacity Strengthening and Multifaceted Collaboration serve as critical focal points of this role, requiring seamless coordination across diverse teams and departments. The position entails fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, governments, and international organizations to enhance institutional capabilities, streamline operational efficiencies, and drive sustainable development initiatives. Key responsibilities include designing and implementing tailored capacity-building programs, monitoring progress through data-driven assessments, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Candidates must possess advanced expertise in cross-functional project management, a deep understanding of capacity development frameworks, and a proven track record of delivering results in multicultural and dynamic environments. Fluency in relevant languages and strong interpersonal skills are essential to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and facilitate collaborative decision-making.
Develop localized business development capabilities by implementing tailored training initiatives, mentorship programs, and resources designed to enhance donor interaction, identify new opportunities, and refine proposal creation.
Drive cohesive collaboration across Programs, Finance, PMEL, and Communications teams to maintain alignment with regional strategic objectives and ensure the timely provision of inputs.
Champion the integration of collaborative digital solutions—such as CRM platforms and Gantt charts—into workflows to foster greater transparency, strengthen accountability, and optimize operational efficiency.
Deliver strategic direction and management to a compact regional BD team and designated country-level BD representatives, guaranteeing uniform implementation of the BD framework and cohesive regional alignment.
Opportunity prioritization, along with proposal development and bid management, is essential to securing strategic projects and fostering business growth. This role involves meticulously assessing potential opportunities to determine alignment with organizational objectives, crafting compelling proposals that highlight competitive advantages, and overseeing the entire bid process from inception to submission. Key responsibilities include conducting market research, coordinating cross-functional teams, evaluating proposal risks, and ensuring adherence to submission guidelines. Proficiency in identifying high-value prospects, articulating value propositions, and managing stakeholder expectations is crucial, as is the ability to work under tight deadlines while maintaining precision and clarity in all documentation.
Drive the entire business development process, encompassing initial strategy and bid preparation through to the final proposal submission, including comprehensive opportunity assessment, strategic partnership development, and management of both technical and financial frameworks.
As the lead writer or coordinating manager, you will oversee the development of intricate, multi-country, or consortium proposals, guaranteeing their excellence, consistency, and adherence to donor and organizational requirements.
Collaborate with technical, financial, and PMEL teams to develop proposals that align with donor priorities while showcasing measurable impact, sustainability, and innovation.
Develop concept notes and proposals by crafting essential narrative components, while maintaining strict alignment with Solidaridad ECA’s strategic value proposition and donor-specific priorities.
Conduct post-action assessments and knowledge-sharing workshops to systematically enhance the organization’s proposal development capabilities and preserve institutional knowledge.
We cultivate and nurture high-impact collaborations and foster meaningful connections with donors to advance organizational priorities and amplify impact through strategic alliances and philanthropic engagement.
Foster and sustain key strategic alliances with bilateral, multilateral, and corporate donors, foundations, and networks to further Solidaridad’s regional funding objectives.
Leverage strategic alliances by leading the negotiation process for collaborative frameworks such as Memorandums of Understanding, teaming agreements, and joint development initiatives.
Investigate and develop creative funding solutions, including blended finance strategies, impact investments, and corporate social responsibility partnerships, to enhance and broaden available financial resources.
Perform in-depth donor research to identify key prospects and create customized engagement plans tailored to top-tier donors and high-net-worth individuals.
Develop and oversee a systematic approach to donor stewardship and reporting, ensuring enduring, trust-centered partnerships with primary funders and stakeholders.
We are seeking a dynamic professional to drive organizational growth through learning initiatives, performance enhancement, and ongoing improvement strategies. The ideal candidate will develop and implement training programs, assess employee performance, and identify opportunities for skill development and process optimization. Responsibilities include designing engaging learning experiences, analyzing performance metrics, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Strong communication skills, project management experience, and a passion for professional development are essential. Familiarity with learning management systems and data-driven decision-making is preferred.
Conduct post-proposal analyses, including win/loss reviews, to identify key insights and incorporate proven strategies into upcoming proposals.
Develop and manage a comprehensive knowledge repository containing proven proposals, change theories, and evidence-based resources for quick access and reuse.
Establish and oversee annual fundraising objectives, key performance indicators, and performance tracking tools, ensuring consistent reporting to regional and global leadership teams.
Develop and nurture an environment that prioritizes ongoing education, creative problem-solving, and teamwork within the Business Development function, while ensuring alignment with Solidaridad’s overarching strategic and thematic objectives.
A solid background and hands-on experience in the relevant field are essential for this role. Candidates should possess proven expertise and a minimum of [X] years of practical involvement in [specific area or industry]. Familiarity with [specific tools, technologies, or methodologies] is required, along with the ability to apply this knowledge effectively in a professional setting. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary to navigate complex challenges and deliver optimal solutions.
A relevant Bachelor’s degree or higher is required, with preferred fields including Business Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, Strategic Management, Project Management, Marketing and Communications, Agribusiness, Economics, or closely related disciplines.
Requires a minimum of seven years of steadily advancing experience in business development, resource mobilization, fundraising, and partnership cultivation, with at least three of those years demonstrating leadership in directing comparable business development initiatives and securing multi-million Euro funding.
Experienced professionals with a proven track record in the development sector, specifically within agriculture, agribusiness, industry, and extractives, particularly in developing country contexts, are sought after.
Accomplished in designing programs, fostering business growth, and crafting proposals, with a strong ability to transform technical insights into donor-focused concepts and comprehensive proposals.
Accomplished in cultivating and maintaining international donor relationships, with extensive experience in managing engagements across bilateral entities (such as the EU, USAID, FCDO, and DANICA), multilateral organizations, philanthropic foundations, and corporate partners.
With a proven track record in spearheading or actively participating in consortia and multipartner proposals, this role demands expertise in drafting Memorandums of Understanding (Mouse) and adeptly negotiating partnership or teaming arrangements.
Experienced in overseeing and optimizing pipeline management systems, leveraging digital tools including CRMs, proposal trackers, and collaborative platforms.
Experienced in coordinating across program, finance, PMEL, and communications teams to ensure proposals are delivered in a unified and punctual manner.
Seeking a candidate who meets the following qualifications: a minimum of five years of experience in a relevant field, a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline, and proficiency in industry-specific software. The ideal applicant will demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent communication abilities. Responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams, analyzing data to drive decision-making, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, adaptability to changing priorities, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
You possess outstanding abilities in communication, presentation, and interpersonal relations.
Accomplished stakeholder engagement and relationship-building expertise, demonstrated through effective negotiation and persuasion capabilities.
Proven track record of consistently meeting and surpassing established fundraising goals.
Proven expertise in analytical thinking and strategic development, enabling the conversion of market insights into effective fundraising initiatives.
Possesses advanced proficiency in utilizing fundraising tools and donor management platforms, including CRM systems and pipeline trackers.
Proven ability to establish and nurture creative financing partnerships, encompassing social impact investments, blended finance models, and strategic public-private collaborations.
Resourcefulness, strong analytical skills, and a proactive approach to collaboration define your professional profile. You thrive in team environments, demonstrating initiative and the ability to resolve challenges independently.
Demonstrated capacity and readiness to undertake frequent travel across Eastern and Central Africa, as well as occasional international destinations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
