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Program Development Manager, West and Southern Africa

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director, West and Southern Africa

I. Primary Purpose and Function

To lead and support the development of new business and design of new programs that will result in increased revenue and increased impact in TechnoServe’s West and Southern Africa division.

II. Duties and Responsibilities

In support of Country Directors and Division Directors, the position is responsible for identifying funding opportunities; developing, leading and strengthening fundraising strategies and tactics; and responding to major contract/grant opportunities, from bi-lateral, multi-lateral agencies, national governments, private foundations and the private sector. This will include implementing processes with public and private sector marketing initiatives, writing, organizing, and producing competitive proposals that would increase the organizations new program development in West and Southern Africa.

Specifically, the Program Development Manager will:

1. Increase Revenues to Support Impactful Economic Development Strategies

This position will lead and / or support as needed fundraising efforts, including fundraising strategies, program design, and coordination and writing of proposals.

• Provide leadership to the regional team and Country Directors in the design and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies and annual plans with specific targets;
• Primarily support but occasionally lead strong TechnoServe relationships with potential donors, stakeholders and partners;
• Lead and/or support opportunity assessments in selected new priority countries;
• Develop winning proposals in collaboration with local teams and TNS regional and/or development divisions;
• In coordination with the relevant staff of the Development Division, the Regional and Deputy Directors of the WSA Division and the Country Directors, liaise with public sector funding agencies, institutional foundations, corporations and other private donors to acquire and maintain an in-depth knowledge about their mission, organization, policies, procedures and key decision-makers;
• Manage the proposal writing processes of key opportunities with public/private funding, at the divisional level;
• Coordinate the review and maintenance of project lead summaries, the new business pipeline, the new business resource prioritization matrix, new business opportunity assessments and other requirements of the new business process

2. Build Internal Capacity in New Business Development

In addition to leading and / or supporting new business development, the New Business Manager will work with the Deputy Director and country teams to strengthen their capacity to fundraise.

• Develop the capacity of local staff and teams to independently design high impact value chain interventions; to develop viable concepts for target donors and to develop and write strong proposals.
• Continuously assess and update processes, structures and systems for fundraising as they relate to individual countries and contribute to the Corporate learning in these areas;
• Monitor external best practice in proposal development; monitor and evaluate the success of internal proposals, and disseminate best practices;

3. Ensure High-Quality Start-up of Confirmed New Programs

In the case of programs which have been confirmed but where there is no local capacity to ensure successful transition from the proposal phase to project implementation, the Business Development Manager will work with the Deputy Director and country teams to ensure high-quality program start-up, potentially engaging as a Mobilization Manager in the program start-up phase.

4. Perform other tasks as detailed as required by the Deputy Regional Director of the West and Southern Africa Division.


III. COMMUNICATIONS

External and internal communications with all parties relevant to TechnoServe, this includes staff, volunteers, public/private sector donors; consultants, partner development organizations, the regional management committee and headquarters.

IV. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING RESOURCES

• Direct reports on assignments may include TechnoServe staff, short-term consultants, and volunteer consultants.
• Responsible for managing funds invested in the development of new proposals as well as short-term ongoing fundraising consultants.
• Additional line management, budgetary authority and operational responsibilities may be assigned.

V. IMPACT

Contributes to achievement of annual revenue targets for the WSA country programs and the growth of TechnoServe’s footprint in the WSA region; responsible, along with the WSA team, for improving the quality and impact of TechnoServe’s fundraising efforts. Deliverables will include:

• Opportunity assessments (including donor scans, industry scans, proposal due diligence, mini-ISPs)
• Strengthened relationships with public and private donors
• Winning proposals
• Capacitated local staff to win new business


VI. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

• Proven track record in successful business and program development design, experience in the management consulting industry complemented by broad technical skills in one or more of the following areas: SME development, agribusiness, and industry development;
• Extensive experience in designing, developing, researching and authoring quality and winning proposals;
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills in a multi-cultural environment;
• The ability to work on short-term assignments with tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and projects;
• The ability to work independently, and function effectively as a member of a team, and adhere to strict deadlines;
• Interactive skills especially with field staff, technical staff, consultants and home office support staff as necessary to complete proposals;
• Related work experience and deep knowledge of the West and Southern Africa economic, social and development context;


VII. EDUCATION/QUALIFICATION

• B.S. or B.A. degree in business administration, economics, marketing or related discipline, MBA preferred
• At least 5 years of post graduate experience in analytical and strategic roles within the private sector and/or development spheres (ideally with a top-tier management consulting firm)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Fluency in French preferred
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally up to 50% of the time


VIII. POSITION LOCATION

• Based in Southern Africa (Johannesburg, Lusaka, Harare or Maputo) with international travel up to 50% of the time.


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TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer