Latest Recruitment at The Emerging Leaders Foundation Africa

Your Role as The Business Development Manager

You will be instrumental in leading the full operationalization of and shaping the organization’s strategic direction and value proposition, fostering strategic partnerships and revenue growth, and ensuring ELE’s sustainable financial success, which will result in the success of ELF-Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy Development

• Identify, develop, and evaluate new business opportunities to meet and exceed ELE targets.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, market demands, and competitor activity, providing strategic insights for business growth.
• Create and execute a comprehensive business development strategy in alignment with the ELE’s goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Programs and Communications teams to create compelling marketing campaigns and sales materials that resonate with target clients.
• Negotiate and close business deals, contracts, and agreements, ensuring favourable terms for ELE while fostering long-term relationships with clients.
• Provide regular reports, forecasts, and analysis to the management team, outlining performance metrics, achievements, and areas for improvement.
• Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and technological advancements to ensure the company remains competitive and innovative in its approach.
• Conduct field visits as and when needed to monitor the implementation of training and other initiatives supported by ELE and provide guidance and technical assistance to partners.
• Ensure quality and timely implementation of the agreed activities by all partners.

Coordination of ELE:

• Serve as the resource person for ELE and provide advisory updates to the ELF-Africa Senior Management Team and the Board.
• Oversee the budget for ELE activities and ensure that budget expenditures are in accordance with the agreed plans.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets and revisions related to ELE.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate the business development team to achieve individual and team targets.
• Oversight quality and timely management and reporting of activities and the ELE focal point.

Partnerships building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with potential clients, understanding their needs and offering tailored solutions to meet their objectives. Maintain close contacts with all partners and investors.
• When authorized, represent ELE on the platforms relating to entrepreneurship and enterprises.
• As and when requested, give presentations on different forums to stakeholders on ELE interventions.

Sales and Marketing

• Promote and advertise ELE’s existing brands and introduce new products to the market.
• Research and develop marketing opportunities and plans, understand consumer requirements, identify market trends, and suggest system improvements to achieve the ELE’s goals.
• Implementing new sales plans and advertising.
• Maintaining relationships with important clients by making regular visits, understanding their needs, and anticipating new marketing opportunities.

Competencies:

• Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and promptly to job requirements.
• Ability to work under pressure, beat deadlines, and handle numerous tasks simultaneously.
• Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization skills
• Understanding ELE procedures, rules, and regulations is an asset.
• Capacity to take initiative and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact, and courtesy concerning equality and safeguarding with participants and implementing partners.
• Ability to set up, equip and oversee a team.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of ELE.
• A proven ability to liaise with a myriad of stakeholders and partners, including government, civil society, international organizations, and grassroots organizations.
• Experience in planning, budgeting, work plan development, participating in program development and proposal writing, project implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and program coordination.
• Previous work experience in a start-up or setting up an organization is an added advantage.

Additional competencies for your consideration:

• Project Management Skills – proven ability to manage projects from inception to closure, with demonstrable experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Strategy Execution – demonstrate ability to lead or be part of the development and implementation of organizational strategic plans.
• Negotiation Skills – ability to negotiate with different entities in relation to business development, contractual agreements, funding, contracts and agreements that are favourable to the organization.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Management, Investment Management, Organizational Development, or related field, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in the areas of business management, project management and coordination.

Or

• Bachelor’s Degree in the above-mentioned subjects with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in a well reputable organisation.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Knowledge Generation

• Identify and design research in response to emerging policy issues, gaps, and opportunities.
• Conduct original research, write Policy Briefs, and respond to partner and media requests for expert opinion on ELF Africa’s thematic areas of interest.
• Guide and oversee the production of quality publications such as Reports, Policy Briefs, Position Papers and Factsheets.
• Stay current with developments in public policy, legislation, best practices, peer activity, and relevant new initiatives in the youth development sector.
• As the research and policy focal point, develop and lead ELF Africa’s research portfolio, including setting the research and knowledge production and management agenda and calendar.
• Design and undertake research responding to organizational and partner needs.
• Supervise and support research consultants and knowledge to deliver quality.
• Lead in developing and implementing internal quality assurance and research protocols
• Ensure the organization keeps sufficient knowledge focus on youth and civic engagement.

Policy Dissemination, Engagement, and Influence

• Develop and implement effective knowledge dissemination strategies.
• Keep a current and diverse database of critical actors in youth discourse and engagement.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with relevant stakeholders, decision-makers, and thought leaders to advance ELF-Africa’s policy impact strategy.
• Organize and manage strategic policy convenings and vibrant engagement platforms.
• Ensure ELF-Africa’s knowledge, products, and technical expertise find an audience with key stakeholders and decision-makers and translate to policies, laws and best practices.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Provide support, advice, and oversight on monitoring, evaluation, and learning at the program level. In collaboration with other program staff, jointly develop and implement an embedded monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning framework across all programs and the institution. Document and communicate impact by leading the organisation in results harvesting.
• Design and provide general oversight over External Evaluations and lead on analysis, interpretation, and action on findings.
• Support staff capacity building in MEL by identifying opportunities for training and professional growth.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Relevant undergraduate education in the social sciences, preferably public policy, development, social work, and political science.
• A master’s degree with experience would be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in policy, research, and analysis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Experience working in Non-profit organisations.
• Experience with the rights-based approach, social justice, adult empowerment, and gender-sensitive approaches.
• Experience in legislative and policy-making processes.
•  Experience in youth development discourse and practice, emerging issues, and opportunities.
• High level of capability in the areas of analytical research and problem-solving skills with Strong skills in collecting, analysing, interpreting, and presenting qualitative and quantitative data.  
• Good understanding of and experience in evidence-based policy advocacy and influencing with attention to detail and an eye for influence and impact opportunities.
• Good communication skills and fluent command of written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, peer organisations, external partners, and senior government officials.
• Commitment to continuous learning with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.