Senior Business Development Manager SSA (Sub Saharan Africa)

SPARK is growing and we look for a Senior Business Development Manager who can facilitate that. Do you like kick-starting programs which are impact full in creating jobs for youth? Work together with the SPARK team and local partner to co-design new interventions? Do you like talking to existing and new funder to match their wishes with the SPARK’s USP’s?

The Senior Business Development Manager SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa) is part of SPARK’s Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Hub working closely with the SPARK Acquisition team towards the development of new programmes or expanding the existing programmes.

Main tasks and responsibilities

· Lead and coordinate efforts by SPARK field offices in the SSA region to develop and write new project proposals and applications in SME development, entrepreneurship, employability, and higher (vocational) education, both in response to open tenders as well as unsolicited applications

· Establish and maintain close relationships and communication with the relevant donors in the countries of intervention in the region

· Represent SPARK in donors and international development events and conferences

· Promote SPARK SSA work in the region and communicate SPARK’s successful program results and technical approaches among the stakeholders and donors

· Identify and monitor funding opportunities in the region

· Work closely with the regional director and country offices representatives to set up a vision for the portfolio expansion in SSA

· Coordinate collaboration and communication with the acquisition team and identify growth opportunities

· Translate the acquisition team priorities and SPARK global priorities to the region and propose development plan accordingly

· Monitoring for potential partnerships for SPARK countries of interest.

· Build and maintain partnerships with local partners and stakeholders in the region.

Requirements and competencies

· +7 years of experience in business development and donor relations with a strong preferably for the field of entrepreneurship, employability, and access to higher education.

· Proven donor network in the region.

· Excellent oral and written language skills in English. French is strongly preferred.

· Awareness of relevant funding schemes from SSA donors;

· Good knowledge of project development, particularly project proposal writing (LFA methodology);

· Good (intercultural) communication and social skills;

· Excellent presentation skills and the ability to work independently. The position requires a results-oriented approach.

· Experience in programmes related to entrepreneurship and higher education.

SPARK offers:

· International and dynamic working experience;

· Training opportunities;

· Competitive remuneration range depending on skills and experience