About ForAfrika                                                                                                                                  

We are the largest African humanitarian and development organisation working to see Africa thrive.

Founded in 1984 in response to a devastation famine in Mozambique, we now operate across the continent, addressing both emergencies and long-term challenges.

We work with local partners to empower communities in transitioning from crisis to prosperity. By addressing the root causes of challenges, building resilience, and fostering self-reliance, we ensure that every African has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

General Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Business Development plays a pivotal leadership role in expanding our organization’s impact and revenue across operational countries. This position is part of the Global Support Office (GSO) andreports to the Senior Director of Business Development. This position is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing new business opportunities while collaborating with global, regional, and country teams.

The incumbent will lead proposal development, drive business growth strategies, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders—including Country Directors, technical experts, and consultants—to produce high-quality, competitive funding proposals. This role is essential in ensuring our deliverables align with donor and partner expectations while fostering sustainable organizational growth. Success in this role requires a strong network of contacts within donor agencies, development organizations, and academic institutions in theinternational development sector. The Senior Manager must be adept at balancing complex, high-stakes business development efforts with the ability to strategically position the organization for long-term growth.

Key Roles and Responsibilities                                                                                                        Business Development Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute a global business development strategy aligned with ForAfrika’s mission and strategic goals.
• Support the development of annual BD targets and forecasting of opportunity
• Work with senior leadership to identify new markets, strategic donors, and funding

• Refine internal BD tools, systems, and methodologies to enhance operational efficiency and donor responsiveness.

Opportunity Identification & Capture

• Identify, track, and assess new business opportunities with institutional
• Lead capture planning processes, including partner identification, donor engagement, and intelligence gathering.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with INGOs, government agencies, foundations, academic institutions, and private sector actors.
• Coordinate pre-positioning efforts for high-value opportunities, including attending donor briefings and engagement events.

Proposal Leadership & Development

• Serve as Proposal Manager and/or Lead Technical Writer on priority funding
• Lead or support the full lifecycle of proposal development: strategy, design sessions, writing, cost proposal development, compliance, and submission.
• Draft and/or review key proposal sections including technical approaches, staffing plans, past performance, and capability statements.
• Collaborate with country offices, technical leads, and finance teams to ensure high-quality, compliant, and compelling submissions.
• Ensure all proposals meet internal quality standards and donor

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to BD team members across the
• Build internal capacity through knowledge sharing, coaching, and leading training sessions on proposal development and donor engagement.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and learning within the BD

External Representation & Thought Leadership

• Represent ForAfrika in external forums, conferences, and meetings with donors and
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives to raise the organization’s profile and demonstrate impact.
• Support communication of ForAfrika’s success stories and innovation to external

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience or Master’s degree with 8+ years of experience inbusiness development, strategic planning, or proposal development within the international development sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in project design and/or implementation within the internationaldevelopment sector, with a strong understanding of programs in emergency response, water andsanitation, food security, health, education, economic development, and other sectors.

• Deep understanding of donor funding mechanisms, requirements, proposal development processes, and the international development donor landscape
• Proven track record in securing funding through competitive, unsolicited and non-traditional
• Demonstrated experience engaging donors, building strategic partnerships, and leading complex proposals.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a passion for proposal
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and maintain strong partnerships with donors, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and perform under pressure in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with project management

Special Requirements

• Must overlap with Africa Standard Time (AST) by at least six (6)
• Shortlisted candidates will be expected to provide writing

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about joining our mission and meet the qualifications for this position, we encourage you to apply. Click the link below to submit your application:

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