Regional Business Development Lead

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency's mission is driven by a collaborative, mission-oriented culture that values the contributions of all staff, including those from diverse faiths and secular traditions. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices and community welfare. The organization employs a significant number of staff globally, working across multiple countries to achieve its humanitarian objectives.

Job Overview:
The Regional Business Development Lead will spearhead the expansion and diversification of revenue streams from institutional donors, foundations, and the private sector to meet the strategic objectives of CRS. This role is integral to the global Business Development (BD) and Donor Engagement Team, requiring close coordination with regional leadership and country staff to mobilize resources effectively for programming in the region. The position demands innovative thinking to adapt to a competitive funding landscape, providing support throughout all phases of the CRS BD Cycle, including donor engagement strategy, proposal preparation, and leveraging results. The successful candidate will utilize their expertise in business development, strategic thinking, and data analysis to enhance CRS' systems and capacities, while also serving as a key donor engagement point for specific donors in the assigned region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Business Development Lead include:

• Acting as the regional BD focal point, ensuring that resource mobilization strategies align with agency objectives and support revenue diversification from institutional and non-traditional funding sources.
• Collaborating with country teams and regional leadership to develop resource mobilization plans tailored to specific regions, countries, sectors, or donors.
• Advising leadership on cultivating donor relationships through strategic engagement and networking.
• Supervising and coaching the BD Specialist for CWARO to enhance support for strategic funding opportunities.
• Conducting research and analysis on funding trends and new business opportunities to strengthen CRS' competitive position.
• Managing the regional business pipeline and performance data to inform senior management decisions.
• Participating in global or regional conferences to represent CRS and engage with peer organizations.
• Leading agency BD strategy development and opportunity pipeline management, including acting as proposal coordinator or lead writer for priority bids.
• Guiding partner identification and negotiation of consortia roles, ensuring alignment with donor strategies. 1
• Leading initiatives to advance CRS' BD processes and build staff capacity in business development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field, along with a minimum of 10 years of international development experience. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s Degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in a developing country. Demonstrated experience in developing resource mobilization strategies, managing multi-year opportunity pipelines, and producing competitive proposals is essential. Candidates should also have experience with grants, contracts, and co-creation funding mechanisms, as well as a proven track record in identifying new funding opportunities and managing teams to deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, or a related field. A Master’s Degree in a similar discipline is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in international development work.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in international development, with a strong emphasis on business development and resource mobilization. Candidates should have a proven history of managing funding opportunities and producing successful proposals in competitive environments. Experience in developing countries is highly valued, as it provides insight into the unique challenges and opportunities present in those contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a working ability in French required. Fluency in French is preferred, enhancing communication capabilities with diverse stakeholders and donors in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position may involve travel up to 35%. The role includes supervisory responsibilities and is expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct, reflecting the organization's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable populations. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits will be based on the country of employment. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates, and all positions requiring travel outside a home country must undergo pre-employment medical clearance.