Partnerships and Business Development Manager

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FC Africa (formerly First Consult) is a leading Pan-African advisory and development consulting firm headquartered in Addis Ababa, with multiple offices across East Africa. We deliver integrated solutions across development programming, investment facilitation, and advisory services, working with governments, development partners, and private sector clients to drive inclusive economic growth and systemic transformation. With over two decades of experience, FC Africa combines deep contextual knowledge with global best practices to design and implement high-impact programmes that address market constraints, strengthen institutions, and unlock opportunities for underserved populations.

Position: Partnerships and Business Development Manager

Department: PPD (Partnerships and Programme Development)

Reports to: Partnerships and Programme Development Director

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Position Summary

The Partnerships and Business Development Manager plays a central role in driving FC Africa’s growth, positioning, and programme pipeline by leading business development efforts, strengthening strategic partnerships, and ensuring the development of high-quality, competitive proposals. The position sits within the Partnerships and Programme Development (PPD) Department and serves as a key link between opportunity identification, programme design, and successful project acquisition.

Beyond business acquisition, the role also supports programme design and early-stage implementation processes to ensure continuity between proposal commitments and actual delivery. The Manager contributes to building and maintaining a strong network of partners, including donors, implementing organizations, private sector actors, and government stakeholders, ensuring that FC Africa remains competitive and well-positioned in key markets.

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Key Responsibilities

• Business Development and Opportunity Management: Lead the identification, tracking, and assessment of new business opportunities by monitoring donor pipelines, market trends, and sector developments.
• Proposal Development and Submission: Manage end-to-end proposal development processes, including planning, coordination, drafting, and submission, ensuring high-quality and compliant results.
• Programme Design and Technical Structuring: Support the development of programme concepts, theories of change, implementation approaches, and operational frameworks.
• Partnership Development and Management: Identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships with donors, consortium partners, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Internal Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate coordination across technical, finance, HR, and operations teams to ensure integrated and coherent proposal development.
• Project Start-up and Implementation Support: Provide support during project inception phases, including work planning and transition from proposal to implementation.
• Client and Partner Relationship Management: Maintain strong professional relationships with clients and partners, ensuring effective communication and responsiveness.
• Knowledge and Systems Strengthening: Contribute to the development and improvement of internal tools, templates, and processes related to business development.
• Team Support and Capacity Building: Provide guidance and mentorship to PPD team members, supporting capacity strengthening and a collaborative environment.

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Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in economics, development studies, business administration, public policy, or a related field.
• A strong academic background in areas related to development, finance, or project management is highly desirable.
• Additional certifications in project management or business development are an advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 6-8 years of relevant professional experience in business development, programme design, consulting, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience in leading or coordinating end-to-end proposal development processes for donor-funded projects.
• Proven experience working with international donors and development partners, with a strong understanding of compliance requirements.
• Strong proposal writing and technical drafting experience, with the ability to translate complex concepts into compelling narratives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and partnership development experience with donors, consortium partners, and government counterparts.
• Experience managing multiple workstreams simultaneously under tight deadlines.

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Required Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills (high-quality proposals, reports, and presentations).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Familiarity with donor-funded project cycles (bilateral/multilateral agencies, private foundations).

Core Skill:

• Communication

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How to Apply

FC Africa invites qualified candidates to apply. Interested applicants should submit an updated CV and a one-page cover letter to: jobs@fcafrica.com.

Applicants must indicate the position title “(TOR) Partnerships and Business Development Manager” in the subject line of their email.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assessment or provide sample work. Only candidates meeting the required qualifications will be contacted.

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