I. Introduction
Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is an indigenous nonprofit institution that accelerates positive health, social and economic reforms through high-quality program design and implementation, capacity building, implementation science research and knowledge generation, and agenda setting and stakeholder convening across human development sectors. Our work primarily benefits disadvantaged and under-served populations. We implement transformation programs in Nigeria and are currently expanding our footprint to several West and Central African countries. We are building a competent, world-class management team to sustainably achieve our strategic growth objectives.
II. Description and Objectives
The Business Development Manager will lead SCIDaR’s business development, expansion, and strategic partnership efforts across Africa, while being based in Nigeria. The role holder will be responsible for identifying, qualifying, and converting strategic opportunities across priority African markets, with a particular focus on the public health and development sectors. This will include engaging governments, national public health institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, international development organisations, foundations, private-sector organisations, and other strategic partners.
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the African public health and development ecosystem, including country and regional health priorities, donor funding mechanisms, procurement processes, key institutions, development partners, and the consulting and technical assistance landscape. They will combine strong business development and relationship-management capabilities with the ability to translate the organisation’s public health expertise into compelling, locally relevant value propositions.
III. Technical Responsibilities
a. Regional Expansion Strategy
i. Develop and implement an Africa-wide business development and market expansion strategy aligned with the organisation’s overall strategic priorities;
ii. Identify and prioritize African countries and markets with the greatest potential for growth and impact;
iii. Develop country- and region-specific market-entry and growth plans, including priority sectors, clients, donors, partners, and engagement strategies;
iv. Assess markets based on public health needs, funding flows, donor priorities, market potential, competitive landscape, regulatory environment, organisational capabilities, and likelihood of success;
v. Establish measurable business development targets for the Africa portfolio and track performance against agreed KPIs.
b. Business Intelligence & Opportunity Identification
i. Build and maintain strong knowledge of the African public health and development landscape, including national and regional health priorities, government program, donor investments, procurement mechanisms, and emerging opportunities;
ii. Proactively identify and track consulting, technical assistance, research, program implementation, capacity-building, and other relevant opportunities across African markets;
iii. Monitor donor platforms, government procurement portals, development partner announcements, tenders, grants, and other relevant sources;
iv. Map key decision-makers, funders, implementing partners, competitors, and influencers across priority markets;
v. Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify emerging trends, market gaps, and opportunities for differentiation;
vi. Maintain a comprehensive Africa business development pipeline, including opportunity value, probability, timelines, strategic fit, and next steps.
c. Client, Donor and Stakeholder Engagement
i. Establish and maintain relationships with government ministries and agencies, national public health institutions, donors, development partners, foundations, NGOs, private-sector organisations, and other strategic stakeholders across Africa;
ii. Develop and execute stakeholder engagement plans for priority countries and strategic accounts;
iii. Represent the organisation at relevant African and international conferences, technical meetings, donor forums, industry events, and networking platforms;
iv. Lead introductory meetings, capability presentations, partnership discussions, and opportunity-development engagements with prospective clients and partners;
v. Build a strong network of senior-level contacts and influencers across priority African markets.
d. Business Pipeline Analysis & Database Management
i. Work with the KML unit and other critical stakeholders to develop business development dashboards and periodic management reports to provide insights into pipeline health, market performance, opportunity conversion, and revenue forecasts;
ii. Work with the leadership team to review SCIDaR’s business development performance indicators, including pipeline value, conversion rates, win rates, revenue projections, and opportunity status;
iii. Analyze historical proposal and project data to identify patterns in successful bids, client preferences, pricing, and win/loss factors, and translate findings into actionable recommendations;
iv. Analyze financial data and performance metrics to track progress against business development goals and identify areas for improvement or optimization;
v. Support the development of annual business development plans and market-entry strategies, using market intelligence and organisational performance data to inform growth priorities;
vi. Maintain an up-to-date database of donors, development partners, government agencies, NGOs, private-sector organisations, and other target clients relevant to the firm's growth strategy.
IV. Key Success Measures
i. Success in the role will be measured by the ability to:
ii. Build and grow a high-quality Africa-wide business development pipeline.
iii. Identify and convert opportunities across priority African markets.
iv. Secure new clients, contracts, grants, and strategic engagements.
v. Establish a strong and diverse network of African partners and stakeholders.
vi. Improve proposal submission quality and win/conversion rates.
vii. Support successful entry into new African markets.
viii. Generate measurable growth in revenue and/or funding from African opportunities.
ix. Strengthen SCIDaR’s visibility, reputation, and positioning within the African public health ecosystem.
x. Provide actionable market intelligence to support strategic decision-making.
xi. Contribute to SCIDaR’s long-term growth, sustainability, and public health impact across the continent.
V. Required competencies
a. Core requirements
i. Compelling evidence of interest in and commitment to the mission of SCIDaR;
ii. Demonstrated strong strategic thinking and thought leadership abilities;
iii. Exceptional proposal writing, business writing, presentation, and pitching skills;
iv. Advanced computer usage skills with proficiency in Microsoft® Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with expert level proficiency in desktop publishing software;
v. Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information;
vi. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets and extract actionable insights;
vii. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders;
viii. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and achieve high-performance goals in a fast-paced environment.
ix. Fast learner, open to learning from peers, subordinates, and supervisors collaboratively and at a rapid pace;
x. Close attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
xi. Results-oriented performer, experienced in developing and tracking self and team with clear KPIs;
xii. Strong verbal and excellent report writing, documentation, presentation, and professional communication (written and verbal) skills.
b. Education and Experience
i. Academic training: Minimum of a Second-class Upper Bachelors’ degree with a master’s degree in Public Health, International Development, Business Administration, Business Development, Social Sciences, Marketing, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
ii. Experience:
▪ 7 – 10 years progressive experience in business development, partnerships, consulting, fundraising, or a related growth-focused role, preferably within the public health, healthcare, international development, management consulting, or non-profit sector;
▪ Demonstrated experience in business development and market expansion across multiple African markets, with a strong understanding of the African development ecosystem;
▪ Experience developing winning bids to organisations such as USAID, FCDO, Global Fund, World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, Gates Foundation, Gavi, or comparable institutions;
▪ Strong understanding of the African public health and development landscape, including key health priorities, funding mechanisms, major development partners, and health system challenges;
▪ Proven track record of identifying, developing, and converting business opportunities into contracts, grants, consulting engagements, or strategic partnerships;
▪ Experience working with bilateral and multilateral donors, governments, international NGOs, foundations, development partners, and/or private-sector organisations;
▪ Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating competitive proposals, bids, EOIs, RFIs/RFPs, concept notes, and grant applications;
▪ Experience developing and managing a substantial business development pipeline, including opportunity qualification, forecasting, and conversion.
Candidates from East Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.
VI. Information Security Management System Responsibilities
All employees are responsible for supporting and maintaining the organization’s information security posture by adhering to established security policies, participating in mandatory training, safeguarding data and systems, promptly reporting security incidents or suspicious activities, and applying best practices in the secure use of technology and information handling.
VII. Non-acceptance of compensation for recruitment
SCIDaR neither requires nor accepts any form of payment or compensation from candidates in connection with its recruitment or selection processes. If you are approached by anyone requesting payment on behalf of SCIDaR, please report it immediately to info@scidar.org. Any such requests are fraudulent and not authorized by the organization.
VIII. Equal employment opportunity statement
SCIDaR is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, colour, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.