Business Development Officer

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally.

Our Fundraising and Development Office is critical to the overall intellectual, financial and reputational success of the Institute. We have a vacancy for a Business Development Officer with the responsibility for driving the Institute’s business development and new funding opportunities to achieve the financial growth required for diversification of funding. The Business Development Officer, with the support of a Grants Officer, will oversee the research and knowledge funding proposals and will be the main point of contact between funders and the Institute prior to bids being accepted. They will also raise awareness of potential funding opportunities for the development of IDS work. The ability to work flexibly, to tight deadlines, to be able to adapt to an ever-changing environment and to handle information and resolve issues in a methodical, intelligent, and accurate manner are essential.

We are looking for someone who has excellent skills in building strong internal and external relationships, together with good written and verbal communication skills. You should also have a proven track record in developing grant proposals and securing high value grants preferably in international development. We can offer a friendly and supportive working environment, excellent benefits and flexible working including hybrid / part remote working from candidates able to work 2 to 3 days per week in the IDS building.

he Business Development Officer (BDO) post will be situated in the Fundraising and Development Office (FDO), and will report to the Head of Fundraising and Development HoFDO), while also working closely with the Partnerships Office, Alumni Relations Office as well as the Institute’s Research Clusters, Engagement Hubs, Communications and Engagement Unit, Knowledge, Impact and Policy Unit, Finance and the Directorate to develop a strategic and powerful approach to fundraising and development. As such, the Office is critical to the overall intellectual, financial and reputational success of the Institute.

IDS’ 2020-2025 strategy sets out how we will build on our current strengths and approaches to address a refreshed set of critical impact areas, pursue a set of strategic priorities to enhance the internationalization of our work, and commit to new actions to align our everyday operations more strongly with our vision and values.

The FDO leads a number of critical functions for the Institute, including:

1. Building donor relationships 2. Fundraising and horizon scanning 3. Attracting high net worth private philanthropy and foundations 4. Supporting large and cross-cutting bids and proactive thinking 5. Building systems 6. Managing frameworks and consultancies 7. Facilitating partnerships management 8. Engaging alumni

The Position

The BDO acts as the interface between IDS and its main funding partners. This entails maintaining clarity on who the key funders and potential funders are, maintaining good relationships with key funder contacts; keeping abreast of donor priorities, requirements and expectations; seeking out new funding partners and opportunities; and advising on how best IDS can engage with particular donors and opportunities and supporting responses to them. The BDO with the Head of FDO is responsible for supporting, and facilitating the efforts of the Director of Research, the Research Clusters and project support Hubs in delivering the strategy of the Institute in relation to its research and teaching objectives and income generation. The Development Office is the first point of contact for potential contractors, collaborators and partners in instigating new work with IDS, developing proposals and seeking information on the Institute and its activities. The BDO oversees these relationships, ensuring appropriate dissemination of opportunities and managing any substantive agreement with guidance from the Contracts and Compliance Manager and in liaison with the Partnerships and Fundraising Officer. The BDO supports the development of new work in the Institute through ensuring linkages across the Institute.

This work requires an experienced professional with outstanding communication and organising skills, who will work with others across the Institute to develop, support and implement an effective business development plan in relation to development research. The BDO will work closely with the Head of Fundraising and Development Office to deliver the IDS’ ‘Transforming Knowledge, Transforming Lives’ strategy through supporting the development of the Institute’s intellectual agenda and ensuring the financial health of the Institute. The role of the BDO is to act as a focal point for knowledge of the market for development research and information and to support engagements with it through coordination of activities, internal and external communication and administrative support.

The BDO should have a demonstrated commitment to and understanding of working in research development office and collaboration with others, including excellent written, digital and oral communication skills.