Position Title: Business Lead, Social Business Unit ( Re- advertisement)

Reports to: Acting Africa Lead

Based in: Addis Ababa

Travel: Up to 20% Local & International travel

Population Services International (PSI) is the world’s leading non-profit social marketing organization. We are a diverse group of over 5,000 entrepreneurial development professionals located in over 40 countries committed to making it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. PSI is using its global presence and 50+ years of experience to help reimagine healthcare. We are working to shape market systems, shift policy and funding, and strengthen global capacity to better support consumer empowered healthcare. 

PSI is now moving forward with a Social Enterprise approach in key markets within the Southern, Eastern & West Africa regions. This approach includes using commercial models, appropriate marketing, and pricing strategies as well as driving procurement and operational efficiencies to set up and grow a sustainable business model for women’s health products and services.

PSI Ethiopia seeks to employ a dynamic and results-driven Business Lead for its Income Generating Activity unit that will help us execute to strategy focusing on generating sustainable growth of the business. You will bring a deep expertise and strong knowledge of the commercial pharmaceutical or wellness market to drive business growth, ensure operational excellence, and execute the social enterprise vision in the Ethiopian market. This role involves assessing and maximizing market potential, exploring new opportunities, and developing innovative business cases for a portfolio of pharmaceutical and women’s health products. Additionally, you will ensure the strategic alignment of existing business operations, including sales and distribution, and drive the growth of our digital activities in Ethiopia.

You will also be part of discussions to establish regional partnerships that ensure operational efficiency, foster business growth, and advance the vision for a fully-fledged digital ecosystem in East Africa, with Ethiopia being a key market in the region.

You will report to the Acting Africa Lead and supervise in-market teams in Ethiopia, including a sales team, a warehouse team and a finance and admin team. You will coordinate closely with the PSI Ethiopia leadership on the nonprofit side of PSI and liaise with various teams at global and regional level.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Innovation:

• Identify and explore new business opportunities in commercial markets for healthcare and wellness in Ethiopia

• Conduct feasibility studies and assess the market potential for new commercial ventures. 

• Develop comprehensive business cases and business plans for new ideas and projects.

• Search for and secure funds or investments to support new initiatives.

Strategic Business Oversight:

• Oversee the development and execution of strategic plans for current business. 

• Ensure business plans are implemented efficiently and effectively, tracking key performance metrics. Oversee P&L results and take corrective action as needed. 

• Provides guidance to the various business functions, including sales, digital and operations to improve efficiency and productivity

Digital Strategy:

• Execute the global VIYA digital strategy in the Ethiopia market

• Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to develop a cohesive regional digital ecosystem and identify revenue streams through digital activities. 

• Identify and cultivate partnerships that can help accelerate the business vision roll out in Ethiopia

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation:

• Position the organization within the local community by identifying stakeholders, seeking funding, and integrating evidence into business model design. 

• Represent the organization to local businesses, investors, governments, and other stakeholders, ensuring a balance between profitability and social impact.

• Collaborate closely with the nonprofit side to align operations and strategic objectives.

Operational Efficiency & Governance:

• Lead the development of efficient systems to ensure operational excellence

• Oversee financial, administrative, and logistical resources, ensuring adherence to standards, policies, and strategic objectives.

• Support change management processes to adapt to new technologies and approaches.

People Management:

• Recruit, support, and manage team members, fostering a culture of high- performance, accountability, innovation, and client focus. 

• Prepare and execute annual budgets, work plans, and performance measures to achieve organizational goals.

Performance Measurement & Reporting:

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for both business and digital activities. 

• Gather data and insights to measure performance against strategic objectives, optimizing plans to improve business outcomes.

Knowledge Management:

• Develop and implement strategies for capturing, sharing, and utilizing organizational knowledge to drive continuous improvement and innovation. 

• Foster a culture of learning by ensuring best practices, insights, and data are effectively documented, disseminated, and applied across teams and projects. 

• Promote the use of digital tools and platforms to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange among internal and external stakeholders.

Job Requirements

Qualification and Experience:

• University Degree in Commerce or Marketing, a postgraduate qualification is essential (MBA).

• 10 years’ experience of which at least 5 years should be managing a P&L. 

• Cross functional (commercial) management experience (operations, sales, marketing, finance & human resources)

• First-hand experience in the commercial pharmaceutical, or wellness sector required

• Strong understanding of healthcare market dynamics in Ethiopia

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Strong strategic planning skills and experience in developing winning strategies for healthcare businesses

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• English Language proficiency is required for this role

• Ability to work in fast-paced, diverse, and multicultural environments.

Personal Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial minded self-starter

• High level decision maker 

• Proactive, self-driven, passionate

• Excellent people skills and Emotional maturity

• Problem solving skills, critical thinker

• Strong Leadership and tenacity

• Action orientated

• Independent thinker 

• Ability to recognize new business ventures

• Experience working with or in collaboration with social impact organizations and ventures.

• Strong network of contacts in the Ethiopian business and investment community.

• Experience in leading cross-border teams and managing multi-stakeholder projects

How to Apply

Are you intrigued? Apply!

Please follow the  link below and you will find the vacancy( Business Lead, Social Business Unit)  to submit your application on the portal. All applications must be submitted by May 19th 2025.  Late submissions will not be considered.

 Use THIS LINK

PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.