Business Development Manager

ROLE PURPOSE

The Business Development Manager (BDM) leads a Business Development Unit (BDU) and is responsible for the rollout of the Business Development Strategy for Plan International Lebanon’s sustainable growth. The BDM will lead the BDU to further explore and diversify new business opportunities from institutional, corporate and other donors, and update the donor analysis needed for business planning. The BDM will steward relationships with donors and Plan’s National Offices to maintain existing donor funding and access new donor funds. 

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the Business Development Manager will work closely with a variety of functions to ensure Plan International Lebanon’s growth, including the Programmes team, Advocacy & Influencing Manager, Grants Coordinator and Country Finance Manager amongst others. The BDM will oversee the quality design and timely submission of concept notes and proposal packages that deliver lasting impact for children, especially girls, in line with Plan International Lebanon’s Country Strategy and donor priorities. The BDM is a member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT). In addition, the BDM will be a member of the MEESA (Middle East, East & South Africa) business development forum and will share relevant information where applicable.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Management

•    Develop and deliver on the fundraising strategy for Plan International Lebanon
•    Lead the BDU, line manage and set work plans for direct reports
•    Coordinate strategic decision-making for new funding opportunities in alignment with country and sector strategic priorities
•    Coordinate the “go/no-go” process with the Country Director and Programme Director.

Proposal Development:
•    Support the development and update of the Country Strategy as needed, in line with national priorities and Plan International’s global frameworks, and consultation with technical focal points and in coordination with the Programme Director
•    Support the development of the annual plans and budgets as needed, based on consultations with relevant team members
•    Lead and oversee the development of successful concept notes and grant proposal packages based on evidence and needs assessments, in line with the Country Strategy and following donor requirements and guidelines – through close coordination with Programme Director, M&E, technical focal points and Finance Manager, as well as partners and relevant National Offices
•    Work with Programme Managers and the Country Finance Manager on developing effective and efficient budgets in line with planned interventions and the annual budget.
•    Assure that proposals developed and submitted to a donor are gender-responsive and transformative
•    Coordinate with the Grants Coordinator to ensure that Funding Agreement Documents (FADs) are developed correctly and processes adhered to
•    Update and monitor internal organizational trackers as relevant, including pipeline and funding trackers.    

Coordination, Communication and HR:
•    Provide updates and reports to Plan Lebanon’s management team, Global Hub, relevant National Offices and donors.
•    Liaise and coordinate with Programme Managers (Child Protection, Gender Based Violence/Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, Education, Livelihoods), advocacy & influencing manager, grants coordinator, and partnerships coordinator as needed.
•    Represent Plan International Lebanon with donors as needed.
•    Attend regular calls, meetings, etc. as required by Plan International.
•    Support in identifying staffing needs for programmes and recruiting qualified staff as needed.

•    Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Relations 
Programme Director, MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning) Coordinator, Technical Specialists, Programme Managers, Advocacy, Influencing Manager, Grants Coordinator and Partnerships Coordinator

External Relations 

National Offices, Partners and Donors

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of:
•    Networking and liaising with the UN and donors
•    Coordinating and liaising with teams from different sectors to address issues affecting children and youth in a multi-sectoral approach
•    Facilitation skills and ability to deliver briefings and training

Qualifications and Experience
•    B.A degree preferably in business or equivalent qualification
•    Minimum 5 years of professional experience in proposal development/business development
•    Master’s degree in political sciences, international relations, social sciences or another related field
•    Strong experience in Project design, both on programmatic and financial levels
•    Experience in managing and working within teams
•    Experience in budget design and financial analysis
•    Experience working with donors such as the EU, SIDA, DFAT, DFID, GFFO, BMZ, UN OCHA, BPRM, and DFID.
•    Experience working on projects targeting adolescents and youth, especially adolescent girls and young women is preferred.

Skills
•    Excellent knowledge of Arabic and English is mandatory
•    Excellent ability to write proposals, reports, briefing papers and research in English
•    Excellent skills in project design, time management, and problem-solving
•    Flexible work attitude and ability to work independently within a small team
•    Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
•    Ability to multi-task efficiently
•    Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse and cross-cultural audience
•    The context in Lebanon, particularly issues affecting the rights and well-being of children and young people, especially girls and young women
•    The donor landscape in Lebanon, both from a development and a humanitarian perspective
•    The sectors of Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Education and Youth Economic Empowerment

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable
•    Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
•    Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
•    Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
•    Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
•    Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact
•    Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
•    Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
•    Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
•    Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together
•    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
•    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
•    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
•    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

•    We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
•    We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
•    We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. 

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction 

TRAVEL
•    In Country travel may be required.
•    Regular international travel may be required.