Business Development Manager

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Business Development Manager to join our dedicated and talented Partnerships & New Business Development team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Partnerships and Business Development, the Business Development Manager will provide leadership for resource mobilization and partnership development, to meet long-term goals and annual growth targets. The role will also support the diversification of revenue from institutional donors and non-traditional funding sources, to achieve MEDA’s strategic objectives across the regions in which it operates. The Business Development Manager’s knowledge and skills will allow them to provide specialized assistance in all dimensions of the BD cycle to cross-discipline and cross-functional teams. This role may require travel up to 30% - 50%.

• Job Status: Full-Time

• Start Date: October 2023

• Location: Remote/Hybrid - within driving distance to a MEDA hub or office

_Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. *Please note - MEDA is working with a recruitment partner, Miller Cameron on this search, and selected candidates will go through a screening process with Miller Cameron before meeting MEDA hiring managers*
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RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development (30%)

• Support the implementation of country resource mobilization strategies, intended to strengthen income, partnership growth and diversification
• Identify and track institutional funding and partnership opportunities in a systematic manner, using MEDA’s online systems and in collaboration with other staff
• Make propositions on how to best seize, attract and establish new partnerships and funding support
• When significant funding opportunities are identified, work with relevant program and technical teams to follow a capture planning process that generates useful information for decision-making (go/no-go decisions), assessing and improving preparedness and competitiveness, and building the foundation for a preliminary project design
• Monitor the funding pipeline and lead on income planning and forecasting in designated region(s)
• Work with appropriate staff to maintain data on past performance and organizational capacity, in order to provide timely information for proposal submissions

Building Strategic Relations (20%)

• Together with Regional Director (RDs) and Country Directors (CDs), ensure the development and management of MEDA relationships with institutional and other relevant donor representatives, building on MEDA’s track record and reputation
• In close cooperation with RDs and CDs, proactively engage in influencing donors’ policy and thinking, identify key areas of potential cooperation, including program funding, and promote MEDA’s strategic and operational positioning
• Develop new consortium partnerships with stakeholders at local, national, regional, and global levels
• Participate and actively engage in relevant regional funding bodies, forums and/or industry associations

Proposal Development (40%)

• In close collaboration with programing, technical and finance teams, prepare all necessary groundwork for proposal development, help assemble proposal development teams, ensure effective processes to ensure high quality competitive proposals
• Serve as proposal coordinator or other lead role on a proposal team, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals that are responsive to donor requirements, applicable regulations, and MEDA’s technical and cost standards. This includes leading design workshops, coordinating review processes, supporting key personnel recruitment, proposal timeline development, non-technical proposal writing, teaming agreement negotiations, contract drafting and/or editing/packaging as part of proposal team
• Lead and support proposal budget processes, working with technical staff, management, and partner staff to integrate inputs into a responsive, cost competitive proposal budget
• Provide technical advice in negotiations with institutional donors or business partners over contracts, costs, governance and accountability, and compliance requirements
• Support staff to adhere to funding policies and guidelines of MEDA

Capacity Building (10%)

• In collaboration with the Director, Partnerships and Business Development, programming and technical teams, help foster a culture of business development in MEDA by contributing to the development and dissemination of standardized business development materials (learning resources, guidelines, tools and templates, and online information) and support capacity building of staff on their application
• Train and mentor staff, as needed, to improve their skills in proposal development, representation to donor and partner organizations, intelligence-gathering, and marketing within their country program or portfolio
• Help identify relevant external business development training and learning opportunities and share with Human Capital and relevant staff
• Participate in organization-wide BD community learning and knowledge management by sharing experience and lessons learned

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Graduate level degree in applicable area of expertise, this may include an MBA or Masters in International Development

Experience: Minimum five years of international development experience and a minimum of two years in a resource mobilization or partnership role

Languages: Fluency in English required, ability in Spanish or French a strong asset

Additional Qualifications:

• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision, and values
• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty
• Familiarity with bi and multi-lateral government agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations, and other development agencies
• Understanding of Canadian government (Global Affairs Canada) and relevant U.S Government funding strategies and guidelines, including proposal formats and requirements; similar experience with other development donors (such as DFID, GIZ, EU) and major foundation donors highly desired
• Proven experience and track record of developing successful project proposals in similar funding and operational contexts to those of MEDA’s regional operations
• Demonstrated capacity in establishing and maintaining strong working and representational relationships with international and local NGOs, donors, government officials, community organizations, and/or other stakeholders in international development
• Capacity to work closely with and understand local partner organizations
• Demonstrated excellent writing skills
• Strong team building, relational, interpersonal and communication abilities and skills
• Excellent skills in key computer software
• Willingness and availability for domestic and international travel as required

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.