Business Development Manager

icipe is an international research institute dedicated to advancing insect science for the benefit of humanity and the environment, focusing on sustainable development through research and capacity building.

The Business Development Manager will play a crucial role in strengthening icipe’s resource mobilization efforts. This involves offering strategic and technical guidance to management, scientists, and various research teams to identify, develop, and secure new funding opportunities and foster strategic partnerships. The position requires a proactive approach to aligning icipe's scientific priorities and institutional capabilities with donor interests and funding calls.

1. Exercise professional judgment in identifying, assessing, and prioritizing business development opportunities.
2. Analyze donor calls, funding priorities, strategic plans, and investment opportunities to determine their relevance to icipe’s mandate and capabilities.
3. Advise management and scientists on effectively positioning icipe’s expertise and value proposition in response to funding opportunities.
4. Make recommendations on proposal strategies, partnership approaches, and donor positioning in line with icipe policies and procedures.
5. Resolve complex proposal development and coordination issues through consultation with relevant internal stakeholders.
6. Provide technical guidance and leadership to scientists, programme teams, and staff involved in resource mobilization and proposal development.
7. Guide and mentor staff and scientists on proposal development, donor requirements, theories of change, logical frameworks, budgeting, and donor positioning.
8. Build institutional capacity for preparing high-quality, competitive, and donor-compliant proposals.
9. Support the development and strengthening of strategic partnerships that contribute to icipe’s fundraising and institutional objectives.

1. A degree in Social Sciences with strong Project Management Skills or a related field.
2. 15 years of progressive experience in proposal development, business development, programme/project management, or a related field.
3. Proven experience in developing successful proposals and concept notes for institutional, development, philanthropic, private-sector, or other funding partners.
4. Experience reviewing grant calls and aligning institutional capabilities and priorities with donor requirements.
5. Experience in quality assurance and compliance review of proposals before submission.
6. Demonstrated experience in donor relations.
7. Experience in building and nurturing partnerships.
8. Understanding of systematic tools and approaches necessary to deliver successfully funded projects.