Manager, Business Development

Programme

Livelihoods and Economic Development

Position

Manager, Business Development

Reports to

Director, Economic Development at ERuDeF

Supervises

All Silver Back Company staff and operations

Duty Station

ERuDeF’s office: Buea and Menji

Probation

3 months

Other information

45-hour working week

I. Mission of the Silver Back Company

To promote the sustainable development of rural communities in which ERuDeF implements conservation and rural development programmes in Cameroon through the development and operation of bio-ethical trade leading to equitable distribution of benefits.

II. Major Functions

• Leads the development, management, and implementation of the ERuDeF Business development Plan, ensuring its ongoing alignment with national and international priorities
• Promotes the vision and objectives of the ERuDeF Silver Back Company development Plans to external and ERuDeF stakeholders, and participates in strategic partnership-building / fundraising approaches to them, in coordination with the Directors of Economic Development and Policy & Development and the CEO of ERuDeF as appropriate;
• Supervises ERuDeF Silver Back Company staff, providing technical assistance as required, in accordance with ERuDeF policies, procedures, and standards.

III. Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures that a Business Development Plan relevant to national policies, constituencies, is developed and approved by the President/CEO,
• Ensures that the Business Development Plan is effectively implemented and contributing to the vision of the ERuDeF and other priorities defined in ERuDeF’s Cameroon Programme Vision;
• In line with the Strategic Plan, develops annual Business Development Programme workplans with clear priorities for ERuDeF, and ensures their efficient implementation;
• In line with the requirements of the monitoring and reporting system, ensures the establishment and implementation of a monitoring and reporting system for the Silver Back Company measuring its performance against its Business Development Plan, at the same time providing support to field projects for improvement;
• Ensures strategic / policy engagement with relevant international and national stakeholders on business and related issues;
• Promotes the vision and objectives of the Silver Back Company Strategic and Business Plans to government, donor, civil society, corporate, and ERuDeF stakeholders at national and international level in collaboration with the Director of Economic Development and President/CEO as appropriate;
• Develops, participates in, and oversees strategic partnership-building / fundraising approaches with government, donor, civil society, corporate, and ERuDeF stakeholders, in coordination with the Director of Economic Development and President/CEO as appropriate;
• Ensures timely technical reporting to donors, the Director of Economic Development, and all relevant parts of the ERuDeF, as required and according to agreed standards;
• Cooperates with programmatic audits, and implements audit recommendations in a timely manner;
• Ensures that all staff working for ERuDeF are fully informed of the Silver Back Company’s Mission and its Global Programme, and are kept abreast of new developments, policies, and procedures as and when they arise;
• Works closely with the Communications team on the development and implementation of a Communications Strategy supporting all of the above;
• Within the scope of the conservation programme, promotes the ERuDeF brand and raises the image of ERuDeF and the company in Cameroon and abroad;
• Ensures that technical meetings to monitor the progress of the Business Plan are held every month, attended by key project personnel and, as appropriate, by external stakeholders;
• Consults with relevant specialists / consultants externally and within the Network to gather information relevant to the development and implementation of the Business Plan and its component programmes / projects;
• Oversees the development of the Silver Back Company project proposals, including assisting with the preparation of Terms of Reference for any specialists engaged;
• Coordinates with the Communications team to ensure that the latter posts all technical reports and other relevant documents onto the ERuDeF Project Database;
• Works closely with, and seeks support from, others in ERuDeF as appropriate to undertake all the above tasks most effectively, and
• Performs other duties as requested by the management of ERuDeF

IV. Key Responsibilities

The primary role of the Business Development Manager is to prospect for new clients by networking, cold calling, advertising or other means of generating interest from potential clients. He/she must plan persuasive approaches and pitches that will convince potential clients to do business with the company. He/she must develop a rapport with new clients, and set targets for sales and provide support that will continually improve the relationship. He/she is also required to grow and retain existing accounts by presenting new solutions and services to clients.

He/she may manage the activities of others responsible for developing business for the company. Strategic planning is a key part of this job description, since it is his/her responsibility to develop the pipeline of new business coming in to the company.

This requires a thorough knowledge of the market, the solutions/services the company can provide, and of the company’s competitors. The main duties of the Business Development Manager can be summarized as follows:

New Business Development

• Prospect for potential new clients and turn this into increased business.
• Cold call as appropriate within your market or geographic area to ensure a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Meet potential clients by growing, maintaining, and leveraging your network.
• Identify potential clients, and the decision makers within the client organization.
• Research and build relationships with new clients.
• Set up meetings between client decision makers and company’s practice leaders/Principals.
• Plan approaches and pitches. * Work with team to develop proposals that speaks to the client’s needs, concerns, and objectives.
• Participate in pricing the solution/service.
• Handle objections by clarifying, emphasizing agreements and working through differences to a positive conclusion. * Use a variety of styles to persuade or negotiate appropriately.
• Present an image that mirrors that of the client.

Client Retention

• Present new products and services and enhance existing relationships.
• Work with technical staff and other internal colleagues to meet customer needs.
• Arrange and participate in internal and external client debriefs.

Business Development Planning

• Attend industry functions, such as association events and conferences, and provide feedback and information on market and creative trends.
• Present to and consult with mid and senior level management on business trends with a view to developing new services, products, and distribution channels.
• Identify opportunities for campaigns, services, and distribution channels that will lead to an increase in sales.
• Using knowledge of the market and competitors, identify and develop the company’s unique selling propositions and differentiators.

Management and Research

• Submit weekly progress reports and ensure data is accurate.
• Ensure that data is accurately entered and managed within the company’s CRM or other sales management system.
• Forecast sales targets and ensure they are met by the team.
• Track and record activity on accounts and help to close deals to meet these targets.
• Work with team to ensure that prerequisites (like prequalification or getting on a vendor list) are fulfilled within a timely manner.
• Ensure all team members represent the company in the best light.
• Present business development training and mentoring to business developers and other internal staff.
• Research and develop a thorough understanding of the company’s people and capabilities.
• Understand the company’s goal and purpose so that will continual to enhance the company’s performance.

V. Profile

Required Qualifications

• At least a university degree in an appropriate field (marketing/management/sales/economics). A master degree with a few years of experience will be preferable.
• Several years of experience leading, developing, and managing programmes / projects in one or more of the above-mentioned fields. Experience with multi-disciplinary teams, as well as in Cameroon business environment, would be a strong asset.
• Knowledge of and experience with monitoring and evaluation of programmes / projects; and
• Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of the environment and business in Cameroon, as well as of relevant policy issues.
• Very strong knowledge of fundraising and project development
• A good track record in fundraising in previous jobs.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proven leadership skills;
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategic plans and policy;
• Strong skills in project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation;
• Experience working with government and with donors / government aid agencies;
• Proven knowledge and experience of the not-for-profit sector, preferably of environmental non-government organisations;
• Negotiation, influencing, and media relation skills, preferably at a high level;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships at all levels, including with local communities, government agencies, the not-for-profit sector, and the scientific community;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and French; and
• Adherence to ERuDeF’s values, which are: Accountability, Transparency and Engagement
• Ability to write a moto cycle in enclave environments
• Ability to work and live in rural and enclave environments for extended periods
• Submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, semester and annual workplans and reports to your line Manager
• Excellent community rapport management skills

VI. Supervisory Responsibilities

The Business Manager is ultimately responsible for the supervision and management of all ERuDeF Silver Coompany Ltd staff.

VII. Working Relationships

Internal: Interacts and works closely and on a regular basis with project implementation personnel in general and project leaders in particular, .

External: Interacts with national governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, the media, donors, specialists / consultants, and other stakeholders, in collaboration with the President/CEO .

VIII. Terms and Benefits

A good remuneration package depending on qualifications and experience will be offered to the successful candidate.

Various other benefits include health coverage, annual leave, sick leave and other leave provisions. Applications must include a complete CV with full contact details of three referees. Applications addressed to the Administrative & Human Resources Director, should be sent via email to: info@erudef.org or deposited in ERuDeF offices. Applications are received until position is filled.

IX. Other Skills and Qualifications

Networking, Persuasion, Prospecting, Public Speaking, Research, Writing, Closing Skills, Motivation for Sales, Prospecting Skills, Sales Planning, Identification of Customer Needs and Challenges, Territory Management, Market Knowledge, Meeting Sales Goals, Professionalism and Microsoft Office.

X. Contract duration

Initially for 1 year ( and renewable based on funding availability and performance)

ERuDeF is an equal opportunity employer and regardless to race, religion or sex. Eligible women candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be called for the assessment profiling process

How to Apply

Applications must include a complete CV with full contact details of three referees. Applications addressed to the Administrative & Human Resources Director, should be sent via email to: info@erudef.org or deposited in ERuDeF offices.