International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a dynamic and proactive Business Development Officer to support our Resource Mobilization Team in Nairobi, Kenya. The position provides management and coordination support to ILRI’s proposal management, pipeline management, and donor reporting processes. The position holder will ensure the institute’s Program Management Framework is followed, and that the institute’s donor reports and project proposals are delivered to funders in an organized and timely manner.
ILRI works to improve food security and nutrition and to reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 11 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
Key Responsibilities
Donor liaison
- Draft correspondence to donors in response to project queries on submission of proposals or reports. Ensure timely review, approval and submission of such communication
- Collate donor information on funding opportunities or projects. Update key donor profiles as needed including compiling as appropriate information from ILRI trip reports
- Subscribe to various donor calls, summarize opportunities and share with ILRI management
- Coordinate internal competitions for proposals as directed
- Manage on-line donor registrations for proposal submissions and subscriptions for proposal call alerts
Proposal coordination
- Collate and prepare materials for proposal submission. Ensure all information is appropriately and accurately sent or entered in the online system, prepare submission letter to donor and ensuring everyone is informed of the submission.
- Ensure internal processes and approvals are adhered to before submission of proposals
- Collaborate with Program Managers to manage proposal timelines to ensure proposals are submitted on time
Information management
- Provide donor and project information to management as requested
Reporting
- Extract technical and financial reporting schedules from contracts and agreements for reporting guidelines. Ensure ILRI’s internal systems contain accurate information on report types, deadlines, etc.
- Coordinate and follow-up with Program/Project Managers and Finance to ensure that project technical and financial reports are submitted in a timely manner
Compliance Monitoring
- Assemble information on audit requirements for each submitted project and update donor profile as appropriate
- Coordinate required donor due diligence information
- And other tasks, as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, international development, political science, or relevant field
- Relevant professional certification in project management strongly desired.
- Six years’ relevant experience in an international or similar organization with a focus on business development / partnerships is strongly desired.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to summarize and present information is required. Proficiency in a second language is desirable.
- Prior experience working in a multi-donor organization specifically with USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and European donors is desired.
- Ability to research information and analyse data to arrive at valid conclusions, make recommendations effectively, and execute plans of action within a team dynamic.
- Strong and varied experience of administration and operations in complex programs.
- Demonstrated leadership, ethics and sound judgment, both independently and as part of a team
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, persuade, influence, and adapt communication style to different situations and individuals.
Position Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job level HG14 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.
How to apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the “Apply Now” tab above on or before 5 May2023. The position title and reference number REF: CS/ 947/2023 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.
To find out more about ILRI visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org
