ChildFund Ethiopia is an international child focused NGO working to improve the wellbeing of deprived, excluded and vulnerable children and families. We achieve positive change in communities in partnership with local organizations through our three core programs that improve education, health and livelihoods and achieve the outcomes of healthy and secure infants, educated and confident children and skilled and involved youth. ChildFund Ethiopia would like to invite competent vibrant candidate to apply for the post of Business Development Specialist.

The Business Development Specialist will support ChildFund International’s overall grant acquisition and management strategy and is responsible for providing leadership for Grant acquisition  within the Country Office (CO).  This includes strengthening staff, systems, and tools in the areas of proposal preparation, grants compliance and administration. Responsible for building CO execution capability for its grants and contracts, focusing on effective on scope, on time and on budget delivery, compliance with organizational and donor policies, procedures and regulations, as well as risk mitigation. Prepare and review CO proposals, oversight of implementation and donors’ reports submission.  The Business Development Specialist will work in close coordination and collaboration with ChildFund’s Global Business Development and Grant Management Teams.

Major Responsibilities

Pre-Award Grant Acquisition 

• Ensures that all CO grant Business Development activity aligns with ChildFund’s Business Development Policy, Procedures and Practice.
• Actively participate in the preparation of the Country Office’s grant acquisition strategy and ensure alignment with the Country Office’s Country Strategic Plan.
• Working in close coordination with the CO’s Technical Team and the Global Business Development Team ensure that the CO pre-positions itself successfully on relevant grant funding opportunities.
• Leads the Country Office’s Grant Acquisition efforts; responsible for strengthening the CO’s institutional capacity to acquire relevant grants and increase the CO’s grant portfolio.
• Leads the preparation and presentation of grant proposals and budgets and the successful submission of competitive grant proposals, operational and financial reports in collaboration with the relevant Program and Finance staff; ensure best practice is communicated, followed and shared in all aspects of grants management.

Post-Award Grants Management (For COs with a Post Award specialist these responsibilities will be covered by that role)

• Supports project implementation to ensure on scope, on time and on budget Project implementation and that all grant funded projects meet institutional donor requirements and in accordance with ChildFund, donor, country and international standards.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate systems and procedures to ensure compliance with donor contracts and ChildFund Project Management standards.
• Monitors grant execution including that budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate timeframe and advising management on required changes or actions.
• Leads the preparation and submission of donor required reports, liaising with internal stakeholders and as necessary with partners and ensuring all requirements and deadlines are met, are produced to a high standard, comply with guidelines, deadlines, contracts and other donor requirements.

Donor Relations

• Supports the development and maintenance of effective relationships with current and prospective donors. Provides appropriate and timely feedback to ensure management is fully informed of grant project progress and success with all new and existing donors.

Child Safeguarding:

• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with Child fund’s Child Safeguarding Policy.

Terms of Employment:

•  One year with a possibility of extension based on proven performance

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant area required.
• Certification from a reputable service provider in Project Management (PMP, PMD) is preferred

Qualification/Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in grants acquisition and management

Demonstrate Competencies

• Proven ability of articulating the organization’s core intent, strategic direction in ways that respond to donors’ expectations and requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating capacity building program/training, coaching and/or mentoring project staff in the basics of grant management.
• Knowledge of major donors’ requirements, applicable local regulatory and legal requirements.
• Demonstrated capability in execution of various stages of the grant lifecycle including pre-award review, grant progress monitoring, and award closure.
• Proven excellent communication, networking, presentation, public speaking and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team for a successful achievement of proposal development
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• English required.