Business Development Lead

The Business Development Lead is responsible for raising new income for Start Fund Bangladesh (SFB) and Start Fund Nepal (SFN), while providing an excellent donor experience to existing donors, currently the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). In addition, the role is responsible for diversifying the donor portfolio to other institutional donors and private funding such as corporates, trusts and foundations to support sustainability. This will include donor mapping, writing proposals, pitching to donors, donor event planning, and ongoing donor engagement and reporting. The role is also responsible for maintaining donor relations, supporting donor compliance and ensuring timely and accurate donor reporting.

The role reports to the Head of Resource Mobilisation (based in London) and works closely with the Country Leads for SFB and SFN.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development

• Develop a plan for diversification of funding, in consultation with SFB, SFN, the Resource Mobilisation Team, and other parts of the Network as necessary
  • Identify key geographic target markets for SFB and SFN and prospect donors in those markets and develop a clear strategy for the donors in those markets
  • Organise donor round table/prospecting events
  • Draft and submit proposals in cooperation with SFB and SFN Managers
  • Support the SFB Country Manager to secure the new FCDO business case
  • Engage FCDO in the process of developing this new business case, making sure they are invested in this new stage of the programme

Marketing Materials

• Develop standard business case materials for SFB and SFN
• Work with the SFB and SFN teams to develop a series of case studies (impact stories) for sharing with donors
• Develop slide decks aligned to the strategic objectives of donors
• Support, as required, the development of additional communications products including brochures and website content

Reporting and engagement of existing donors

• Support the SFB and SFN teams with ongoing engagement of existing donors, maintain relations through regular update calls and correspondence
• Work closely with SFB and SFN teams and the Start finance team to ensure that donor requirements are met in programme implementation
• Work with SFB and SFN teams to submit timely donors’ reports, ensuring compliance to donor guidelines
• Work closely with Start Network finance team to make sure timely, accurate financial reports following donor guidelines are submit
• Support the planning and execution of donor visits as required

Support country level donor engagement

• Provide leadership, advice and support on donor engagement and positioning to team in Bangladesh and Nepal
• Work with country teams to lever donor intelligence and insight
• Support SFB and SFN Managers and team with prospecting calls and approaches

PERSON PROFILE

Essential Skills & Experience

We are seeking candidates who bring a combination of skills and experience in the following:

• Track record in securing large and/or complex tenders or grants institutional donors – Preparation of donor bids and proposal writing
• Donor grant management
• Donor relationship management
• Donor grant reporting
• Strategic thinking
• Building relationships with international and remote-working teams
• Identifying opportunities and taking calculated risks to capitalise on opportunities that further our purpose and mission without compromising our vision
• Inspiring and motivating others by creating passion around our vision and focus, connecting with humility and empathy, and showing openness and resilience
• Actively promoting collaboration by spotting and breaking down barriers to siloed working, connecting colleagues, teams, and initiatives

ABOUT START NETWORK

We are tackling what we believe are the biggest systemic problems that the humanitarian sector faces. Start Network’s vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at-risk of crises.
We aim to see:

• LOCALLY-LED ACTION: We believe that a more balanced international aid system, which shifts power to those closest to the front-line, will generate more effective and appropriate responses for people affected by crises.
• NEW FORMS OF FINANCING: Our pooled funds enable fast and early action to tackle the kind of crises that are often overlooked by other funding mechanisms. Our risk financing pilots are introducing new ways of working that can save even more lives.
• COLLECTIVE INNOVATION: New ways of working are needed to tackle the challenges we face. By innovating collectively, we can share expertise, insights and perspectives to shape a more effective humanitarian system.

For more information please visit our website.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Being part of a network bringing change to the humanitarian sector
• Salary £36-40k per annum dependent on experience
• Hybrid working with the expectation of being in the London office 1 to 2 days per week
• Contributory pension
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies
• Learning and development opportunities
• 25 days’ holiday plus 2 company days over the Christmas period