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Position Title: Regional Business Development Senior Advisor
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian organization that operates in over 40 countries, employing more than 5,400 team members. Established to address the pressing challenges faced by communities in crisis, Mercy Corps focuses on creating sustainable change through local impact. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local governments, corporations, social entrepreneurs, and communities to develop innovative solutions to poverty, disaster, and conflict. With a commitment to inclusivity, 84% of its team members come from the countries where they work, ensuring that their initiatives are culturally relevant and effective.

Job Overview:
The Regional Business Development Senior Advisor will play a crucial role in supporting business development needs across country offices in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. Reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, Programs, this position involves working closely with the regional team to provide strategic direction and prioritize business development efforts. The advisor will focus on program development, tracking potential new business opportunities, leading proposal development efforts, enhancing proposal processes, and supporting Donor Relations to diversify funding sources. This role requires collaboration with various teams to ensure that proposals are high-quality and evidence-based, contributing to the overall strategic goals of Mercy Corps in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the development of high-quality strategic proposals across the ESA region, ensuring alignment with agency best practices.
• Manage proposal development for various opportunities, including small, medium, and Emergency proposals, as well as larger strategic proposals in collaboration with the Business Development team.
• Structure and staff proposal teams effectively, identifying Technical Leads and Lead Writers in Coordination with global teams.
• Coordinate with Technical Resources & Quality and Evidence & Learning teams to ensure proposals are evidence-based.
• Facilitate strategic planning and capacity-building sessions with country teams to enhance competitiveness in donor solicitations.
• Track donor trends and funding opportunities, producing insights to inform strategic positioning.
• Evaluate the performance of Mercy Corps’ portfolio in the region, identifying risks and opportunities for donor engagement.
• Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with relevant organizations to strengthen program development efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience in business development, proposal writing, and donor engagement, particularly in the humanitarian or development sectors.
• Strong understanding of the funding landscape in the East and Southern Africa region.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex projects and proposals.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate funding opportunities and donor trends.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in international development, business Administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred and may be advantageous for candidates seeking to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in business development and proposal management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in business development, with a focus on proposal writing and donor engagement in the humanitarian or development sectors. Experience working in the East and Southern Africa region is highly desirable, as is familiarity with institutional donors and funding mechanisms.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region, such as French or local dialects, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's competitiveness for the position.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve occasional travel within the region. The role does not have supervisory or budget management responsibilities. Mercy Corps is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.