The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Senior Business Development Manager will support the country program by responding to program funding gaps and needs. Support will include all phases of the business development process, from opportunity identification to contract signature, including pre-positioning, partnerships building, proposal development and writing, and due diligence phases. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of working on new funding opportunities in humanitarian and international development with a range of multilateral and bilateral donors.

Major Responsibilities:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of donor funding priorities and geographical interests relevant to IRC's area of work and coordinate with Ethiopia technical teams to position for new funding. 

• Lead and assist the country team in the identification, tracking, and updating of new business opportunities across a variety of technical sectors and donors.

• Organize Go-No-Go meetings ensuring decision makers are invited and timely decisions are being made on new opportunities.

• Participate in Project Design Meetings and coordinate concept note and proposal development, including sharing initial assessment of new opportunities, preparing timelines, ensuring the proposal team adhere to deadlines, supporting recruitment, assisting in budget development, ensuring document completion, organizing meetings, compiling notes, and drafting and proofreading coherent proposal sections. 

• Collaborate with technical units, and other colleagues to support the conceptualization of high-quality programs and proposal designs for new project activities. Provide guidance on donor policies and ensure project design is responsive and compliant with donor expectations, rules, and regulations.

• Coordinate and communicate with consortium partners. Negotiate and finalize teaming agreements with partners and ensure vetting of partners is performed by country offices as per IRC's requirements. Compile inputs from proposal team members, including consultants and partners. Identify partners, consultants, and other proposal development support as needed. 

• Provide quality assurance and quality compliance support on proposals. Ensure responsiveness to and compliance with solicitation documents and with IRC's requirements. 

• Contribute to business development systems, tools, and process improvement initiatives.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• BA degree required; Master’s degree International Affairs, Social Sciences, or any related field of study

Preferred experience & skills: 

• 4 years of experience for degree holders and/or 3 years of experience for masters holders 

• At least 1 year of managerial experience. 

• Substantial experience and a successful track record leading proposal team on complex subjects, multi-year, multi-partner proposals with minimal direction.

• Proficiency in developing and supporting humanitarian and development proposals for NGOs. 

• Familiarity with strategies and proposal processes of key government/statutory donors–FCDO, EU institutions (ECHO, EUTF), US Government (USAID, BHA, BPRM, etc.), and other donors (GAC, Sida, FCDO, GFFO, SDC, etc.).

• Experience in collaborating with and supporting national and community-based partners. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate across a variety of relationships in a multicultural environment.

• Proven ability to collaborate equally effectively with colleagues in remote and diverse teams, including as team leader for proposals.

• Clear, compelling English writing skills, with previous experience in proposal writing.

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through THIS LINK

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. 

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons. 

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.