Business Development Operations Manager - Africa at Heifer International

Function

As the Business Development Operations Manager, the role plays a crucial role in partnering with stakeholders at Heifer, including business development and operations in the Africa regional office.

The role holder provides support operations related to business development and partnership, which includes managing schedules, coordinating with the BD department senior director, and working with sub-regional BD and partnership directors for specific assignments in information management for the Heifer Africa pipeline. Coordinates with country offices in entering project ideas as opportunities into the PFID and accomplishes other related activities as advised by the Senior BD and P Director. Coordinates work with sub-regional BD directors to ensure successful business development operations management for each opportunity in design and co-design areas in Africa. Where necessary and required, coordinates and collaborates with PFID Coordinator/Valenya for support and alignment. This may include managing workflow in PFID projects information management in coordination with the Senior Business Development Director.

A key aspect of this role involves fine-tuning processes and procedures to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, you will collaborate with other leaders across the region and countries in the organization to develop and implement solutions to complex challenges. Your contribution will be instrumental in supporting the business development operational requirements and BD processes such as scheduling virtual meetings in Africa and with HQ; ensuring Signature programs checklists are completed by the respective country director and reviewed by the Senior BD and P Director; maintaining strategic focus while also providing tactical support to the team.

This role will be based in either Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Senegal or Nigeria.  

Business Development Support (60%) 

• Provide support to the business development team in Heifer Africa in setting meeting times and schedules and coordinating with regional teams and the Business Development and Partnership Team.
• Provide business development and partnership operations management requirements as directed and advised by the Senior BD & P Director Africa.
• Engage and provide critical support for the execution of the Africa BD department processes.
• Support sharing lessons across the department on risk mitigation and best practices in the BD process.
• Work and coordinate with PFID coordinators in the HQ for alignment and ensure that all Africa opportunities are captured in Heifer’s PFID system, once Signature Programme checklists are approved by the SVP.

Contract Management (20%)

•  In coordination and consultation with the Senior Programmes Operations Director, oversee the development and execution of business operations to ensure they meet Heifer International BD policies and requirements.
• Coordinate with country directors in the respective country programmes at the Heifer Africa region, including capacity building and training for country programmes' relevant teams for efficient and effective BD and partnership operations management processes.
• Implement and manage BD operations and BD contract management tools, systems, and procedures to streamline BD operations and enhance productivity.
• Analyze BD processes execution and BD performance to provide strategic recommendations and optimize business development opportunities.
• Collate BD risk mitigation action plans in the BD department, including the sub-regional risk mitigation plans, and ensure BD risk mitigation action quarterly reports are produced.

Collaboration and Coordination (15%) 

• Collaborate with various Heifer internal departments, such as Africa’s Contract Specialist, legal, finance, and procurement, to align BD processes and agreement documents and contracts with the organization’s strategies and risk management policies.

Other Duties (5%)

• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Senior Business Development and Partnership Director – Africa Programs.

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience working with non-Federal clients, including state and local agencies, as well as philanthropic organizations for funding.

Preferred Requirements 

• A relevant postgraduate degree, such as an MBA, is desirable.
•  Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage tight deadlines.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands 

• Ability to work under pressure, perform multiple tasks, manage consistently competing priorities, and be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully, strategically, and diplomatically with a culturally diverse group of people.
• Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment and deliver through others.
• Ability to maintain close relationships and work with team members from a distance with limited opportunities for personal interaction.
• Constant face-to-face, electronic, and telephone communication with colleagues and the general public.
• Willingness and ability to work with a flexible schedule and outside of normal business hours.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Accountability
• Professional Excellence
• Humility
• Customer Orientation
• Empathy
• Innovation