Head of (Programmes) Business Development and Partnerships, Nigeria and West Africa at British Council

Location: Lagos or Abuja
Pay band: 8
Department: Cultural Engagement  
Contract type: Locally Engaged   
Duration: 2-Year Fixed Term Contract (with possibility of extension based on business needs)  

Role Purpose

• This role will lead the identification, positioning and pursuit of donors, trusts, foundations, and corporate funding for British Council Nigeria in line with Regional, Country and Business Unit priorities.

Main Opportunities / Challenges for this Role
The Head of (Programmes) Business Development and Partnerships will:

• Gather market intelligence across West African Cluster countries in liaison with country-based colleagues
• Be connected to and engage consistently with the donor, trusts and foundations and corporate sectors to ensure they have their finger on the pulse of funding and business development opportunities
• Provide an opportunity to engage with the themes of the Nigeria and West African cluster programmes including livelihood strengthening, social inclusion and connections and internal exchange with the UK.
• Lead on and coordinate the production of high-quality proposals and bids that are competitive and representative of the British Council’s value, brand and profile, and when needed, to provide support on provision and delivery of specific content for pitches/presentations made to target clients by the in-country teams.
• Develop a business development strategy and plan for the cluster

Requirements
Essential:

• Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution or five years’ relevant experience in lieu
• 7 - 10 years recent, relevant, professional experience working with or within the development sector with an international donor, trust, or foundation in Nigeria
• Fluency in written and spoken English (Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of an agreed English language certificate or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency).
• Demonstrable experience of pursuing and winning funding from donors and trusts or foundations using strong project management discipline
• Strong understanding of development funding landscape and good knowledge of funding approaches by a range of international donors particularly in education, skills, and livelihoods for youth
• Proven experience working in a compliant and regulated environment

Desirable:

• Formal Business development or fundraising qualification
• Marketing or Business Development – Related Academic Background
• Project management certification
• Business development experience outside Nigeria, ideally in another African context.
• Access to existing donor networks or community of practice
• Experience developing or managing network of consultants or technical experts for the purpose of proposal development and management.