The Opportunity

 The Business Development Lead plays a pivotal role in translating strategic vision into actionable outcomes across the BDD function. This role supports in aligning business development efforts with Plan International Ethiopia’s strategy, driving targeted growth, donor engagement, and high-quality proposal development. The Lead supports in fostering business development strategic relationships that support grant acquisition and portfolio expansion.

The Business Development Lead collaborates with Thematic Sector Leads and the Program Insight Lead in joint planning, strategic alignment, and coordination in proposal development.

 Key Accountabilities

• Business Development KPI: leads the operationalization and visibility of the business development KPIs.

• Business Development Strategy Execution: leads the Business Development team in turning strategy into action. Provides leadership to ensure that business strategic objectives are embedded in daily operations.

• Pipeline and Funding Gap Analysis: conducts regular funding pipeline and gap analyses to inform evidence-based decision-making.

• Proposal Development: leads the planning and management of proposal development processes in collaboration with Thematic Sector Leads and Program Insights.

• National Office Engagement: manages communication with National Offices (NOs) for business development engagements.

• Team Leadership: supervises Business Development Coordinators, ensuring adherence to relevant SOPs and fostering continuous capacity development through performance-based coaching and support.

• Business Development Process: Ensure the utilization of the business development guidelines and SOP’s.

• Consortia Management: Coordinate and communicate with consortium partners, negotiate and finalize teaming agreements.

• Donor Requirement: Ensure proposals are in line with the donor proposal technical guideline, rules, and regulations.

Safeguarding Children and Program Participants (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed per the appropriate procedures.

• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understand their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work.

• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Job Requirements

The Individual 

• Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Studies Marketing, Economics, International Relations, or other related fields

• Minimum of 7 years experience in business development, grant management, or donor engagement. At least 3 years in a managerial role, with a proven track record in leading program design, proposal development, and donor relationship management.

• Solid understanding of donor landscapes, funding mechanisms, and proposal development processes. Familiarity with cross-cutting themes.

• Demonstrated experience working in programming, preferably in multi-sectoral humanitarian and development interventions.

• Excellent proposal writing skills

• Excellent communication skill and ability to work across cross functional teams

• Ability to develop effective working relationships across a network.

How To Apply

How to apply

The closing date for the application is October 11, 2026. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the links provided below.

• Internal Applicants: Link

• External Applicants: Link

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that: 

• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• We are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated links.

• Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

• Female candidates are highly encouraged to Apply

More information about Plan International can be found on http://plan-international.org 

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required. As an international child centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with. Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. 

Job Requirements Plan International Ethiopia seeks a Business Development Lead to translate strategic vision into actionable outcomes across the BDD function. The role supports alignment with organizational strategy, drives donor engagement, and leads high‑quality proposal development. Candidates should hold a degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Studies Marketing, Economics, International Relations or related fields and possess strong knowledge of donor landscapes and funding mechanisms. The position requires excellent proposal writing skills, communication abilities, and the capacity to build effective relationships across cross‑functional teams while upholding safeguarding and gender equality policies. How to Apply Qualified candidates should submit their application using the provided links for internal or external applicants. Only Ethiopian Nationals are eligible, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.