BDS Officer (Business Development Services) at Africa Leadership Foundation

Job Summary

Africa Leadership Foundation (ALF) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Business Development Services (BDS) Officer to join its dynamic team. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving the Centre’s BDS initiatives, including training, business advisory, and other non-financial support services aimed at promoting SME growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

The BDS Officer will be responsible for:

• Identifying and engaging prospective clients for ALF’s training programmes through both online and offline channels.
• Developing, finalising, and marketing standard and customised entrepreneurship and digital skills training proposals.
• Coordinating the design of training content and running orders for all BDS programmes.
• Ensuring effective logistics arrangements for both physical and virtual training sessions.
• Collaborating with relevant ALF departments/units in budgeting and financial planning for training programmes.
• Prospecting for sponsorship opportunities to support ALF’s SME training initiatives.
• Promoting compliance of ALF’s SME clients with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Facilitating partnerships and engagement with SME development stakeholders.
• Preparing bankable business plans and providing business advisory and counselling services to trainees.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree (minimum of Second Class Upper Division) in Economics or Agricultural Economics, with a Master’s degree in the same field or in Business Administration.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in training delivery, business development, or SME advisory services within Nigeria.
• Proven ability to produce well-structured business documents, including business plans.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Strong professionalism and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Added Advantage

• Experience in programmes supporting women-owned or women-led businesses.
• Previous experience working with NGOs or international development organisations.