Job Title: Head of Strategic Partnerships, Africa

Published · Updated

Purpose of the Role:  

The Head of Strategic Partnerships, Africa will coordinate and be responsible for CABIs fund raising efforts from donors in the region, in alignment with donor needs and opportunities. Reporting to the CABI Africa Regional Director, this role will work closely with Business units, SAM team and senior program staff to increase engagement with and grow funding from donors in Africa. Through the adoption of strategic account management processes, a collaborative approach will be taken to develop and win funding opportunities.

The Head of Strategic Partnerships, Africa will play a key role in expanding CABI’s development project portfolio, supporting the engagement of senior CABI staff with regionally based funders, and growing the funding pipeline for CABI’s main programs and initiatives.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Identify, recommend, and win support for funding opportunities which reflect and respond to donor requirements and expectations. Identify, establish and maintain a network of contacts within the regional international development donor community and contractors, particular those in the focus countries for key donors.
  • In conjunction with CABI’s annual donor action plans, adopt strategic account management processes to significantly grow CABI’s project portfolio.
  • Systematically cultivate connections and work collaboratively towards funding proposals, ensuring relationships are managed professionally to develop profitable and growing business.
  • Take on the role of Senior User (Prince 2 project management), representing the interests of the donor at project boards and ensuring high quality delivery to meet donor expectations.
  • Ensure representation of CABI at relevant events, to raise CABI’s profile and seek opportunities for engagement, building relationships with key and prospective funders and collaborators, including opportunities to act as a sub-contractor where direct funding is not possible.
  • Assist colleagues with presentation opportunities to opinion leaders and decision makers within Key Accounts
  • Record market knowledge and competitive position through active maintenance of the organizational Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Manage archiving of key documentation, including funding agreements in CABI’s institutional repository (SharePoint).
  • Work with colleagues within the commercial department to plan and implement tactical marketing activities
  • Undertake regular personal visits to customers, partners and collaborators.

Candidate Profile

The appointed candidate will have extensive experience (5-10 years) at senior level in business development and a proven track record in identifying and winning opportunities for new business development in Africa.  Working alongside colleagues, s/he will develop and implement plans to grow CABI’s funding pipeline, thereby contributing to the achievement of CABI’s overall operational and strategic objectives.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required. Higher level degree or equivalent from a reputable university preferred.
  • Academic and/or business development background, relevant to fund raising in agriculture and the environment.
  • 5- 10 years of experience working with bilateral and/or multilateral donors, or key actors in the development community in a fund-raising capacity.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French or Arabic will be an added advantage.
  • Demonstrable experience in successful business development with either development agencies, funding bodies, academia and/or private sector in Africa
  • Experience working for an international organization, International NGO or multinational company. Private sector experience will be an added advantage.
  • Computer literacy required, fluent with MS packages and experience of CRM systems
  • Experience in Project implementation.

Personal Attributes

  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and presentational skills – articulate, persuasive and confident
  • Good networker, focused on building excellent professional relationships and client management
  • A collaborative team-player who can work across a matrixes environment
  • Professional and business oriented: understanding need for financial returns on mission-driven project delivery
  • Both agile and organized: able to plan and meet objectives and to prioritize and deliver against deadlines
  • Flexible, pragmatic and ambitious, with an eagerness to learn.

Demands of the role

  • Ability to undertake international travel, up to 15 weeks pa.

Equal Opportunities

CABI is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status.  No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit.

How to Apply

To apply please submit your CV and a cover letter via our online recruitment portal at   www.cabi.org/careers by 8th August, 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For all details: https://cabi.ciphr-irecruit.com//templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_3354.aspx

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