New Business Development Manager

Job Title: New Business Development Manager

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

About TechnoServe:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of 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:

The primary purpose of this role is to support the Country Director and Project/Program Managers, in identifying funding opportunities; developing, leading and strengthening fundraising strategies and tactics; and responding to major contract/grant opportunities, from bi-lateral, multilateral agencies, national governments, private foundations, and the private sector.

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

The New Business Development Manager is part of the Nigeria team and will report to the Country Director with a dotted line reporting to the Regional Program Development Manager, and working with other team members in TechnoServe. The New Business/Program Development department of TechnoServe is responsible for fundraising and partnerships, including identifying and pursuing new opportunities relevant to TechnoServe’s global and country-specific strategies within our areas of excellence.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of this position include:

New Business Development:

Working with the Country Director to champion the design and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies and annual plans with specific targets. Primarily supporting but occasionally leading strong TechnoServe relationships with potential donors, stakeholders, and partners. Leading and/or supporting opportunity assessments in Nigeria’s priority/areas of excellence. Liaising with public sector funding agencies, institutional foundations, corporations, and other private donors to acquire and maintain an in-depth knowledge of their mission, organization, policies, procedures and key decision-makers. Identifying new opportunities that align with TechnoServe’s areas of excellence and TechnoServe Nigeria’s strategy and leading the pursuit of these opportunities in collaboration with the Country Director as well as the regional and global PD teams. Managing the proposal writing processes for key opportunities with public/private funding, at the country level Developing winning proposals in collaboration with local teams and TNS regional and/or development divisions in coordination with the relevant staff of the project team and New Business development division, Coordinating the review and maintenance of project lead summaries, the new business pipeline, opportunity tracker, the new business resource prioritization matrix, new business opportunity assessments and other requirements of the new business process.

Program Design and Development:

Supporting the formulation of project strategies and work plans. In particular: Support project design and development in alignment with donor requirements, rules and regulations. Working with the Regional Program Development Manager to ensure high-quality start-up of confirmed new programs. In the case of programs which have been confirmed but where there is no on-the-ground capacity to ensure a successful transition from the proposal phase to project implementation, the New Business Development Manager will work with the Regional Program Development Manager, the Deputy Country Director and Country teams to ensure high-quality program start-up. Assist the Project Technical Team in the implementation of relevant components as well as monitor activities relating to TechnoServe Nigeria projects Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

The following qualifications are required for the role:

A minimum of an undergraduate degree (BSc) in Social Sciences, Business Management, Agriculture, Economics or a relevant field. A Masters’ degree in a relevant field is desirable, but not required. A minimum of 7 years of experience with a BSc. is required or 5 years’ experience with a Masters degree. In the required years of experience, a minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in New Business Development and writing successful proposals is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that are desirable., but not required include:

Experience working in Nigeria or West Africa At least 2-3 years’ experience in the total required years of experience working with institutional, bilateral, multilateral donors and foundations is required. Experience supporting project design and project start up. Extensive knowledge of and experience working in the agriculture and food systems is desirable.

Travel : This position requires minimal travel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The successful candidate should have

Excellent writing skills Good communication skills, including the ability to express himself or herself clearly and communicate effectively with colleagues and partners. Good initiative and follow-through. The ability to work in teams and collaborate with others.

Supervisory Responsibilities – this position does not have any direct reports.

Closing Statements:

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.