Organizational Business Development (OBD) specialist

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an Ethiopian charity organization established in 2007 to ensure brighter future for disadvantaged children, youth & women through integrated community development approach in the thematic areas of ECDE, Education, Youth Skill Development and Employment, Adolescent Girls and Women Empowerment, Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection, and Emergency and Recovery. Currently, ESD is operating its programs in four regional states of Ethiopia: Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, and Sidama. 

ESD is committed to achieve work force diversity in terms of profession, gender and other aspects of diversity.  Presently, ESD is looking for an innovative candidate for the Organizational Business Development (OBD) specialist position. The OBD specialist leads the advancement of resource mobilization and business development of ESD. 

Major Responsibilities

• The Organizational Business Development specialist shall execute the following major functions:

• Set goals for the business development team and developing strategies to meet those goals,

• Train the staff on business development,

• Develop project concepts and writing project proposals in collaboration with the project and program teams,

• Conduct prospecting visits to potential donor offices to identify and prepare for upcoming funding opportunities,

• Represent the organization’s business development interests at relevant meetings, events, and within resource mobilization or donor-specific peer networks,

• Forge strong relationships with donors,

• Design approach to improve  organizational business development cycle, including developing tools and processes, to improve the development of concept notes, proposals, budgets, teaming agreements,

• Support pre-positioning efforts with key donors as well as potential partner organizations with whom ESD can forge strategic partnerships, and consortia,

• Prepare research and engagement tools for senior management to cultivate and strengthen relationships with institutional donors, private foundations partner organizations, and other stakeholders,

• Work with the Deputy Director, to develop and monitor pre-positioning plans for each of  ESDs programs in Ethiopia,

• Track global opportunities, in collaboration with the deputy director,

• Ensure the organization’s financial sustainability strategy by identifying donor resources, raising funds, and writing proposals. This is through exploring fundraising opportunities, ensuring all aspects of donor management and fundraising requirements in effective coordination with other departments,

• Compile and maintain a database of international and local donor organizations and private corporations offering donations, and interested in implementing sponsorship activities,

• Undertake independent research in finding alternative resources for the long-term sustainability of the organization,

• Suggest other innovative ideas for effective resource mobilization, 

• Organize fundraising events for the organization, and

• Engage in other organizational assignments as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Reports to:  Deputy Director  

Female applicants are highly encouraged.