Business Development Manager Africa

CONFIDENTIAL – INTERNAL VACANCY ONLY

Scope:  Africa

Hours:  Full time

Reports to:  Head of Business Development

Team:  Business Development

Location: Any Hivos office in Africa

Indicative grade:  ZIM:6 , KEN: 13

About the role

The Business Development Manager plays a key role in advancing Hivos’ strategic funding and partnership ambitions under the Ten for Ten strategy. The role focuses on identifying, shaping, and securing institutional funding and strategic partnerships that enable Hivos to deliver complex, multi-country and multi-actor programs aligned with its mission to defend and expand civil and political rights.

Operating within a functional, globally dispersed business development model, the role combines market and contextual intelligence, relationship-building, and coordinated proposal development. It requires close collaboration with program, finance, and support functions to translate strategic priorities into high-quality, fundable opportunities that are operationally feasible, compliant, and aligned with Hivos’ values and power-shifting approach.

Depending on the specific focus of the position, the role emphasizes either deep regional and contextual knowledge or the orchestration of complex, cross-regional design processes. Across all variants, the position contributes to both short-term fundraising results and longer-term positioning of Hivos within priority donor, foundation, and partnership ecosystems.

The Business Development Manager (Africa Market Focus) contributes to Hivos’ funding and partnership efforts across Sub-Saharan Africa, working within a functional, globally dispersed business development model.

Purpose of the role

To coordinate regionally grounded business development processes that reflect African funding landscapes, civic space dynamics, and local partnerships.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor donor and foundation trends relevant to African contexts and Hivos’ priorities.


• Coordinate proposal development processes for regional or multi-country programs.


• Contribute contextual and partner knowledge to program design and consortium building.


• Coordinate internal inputs to ensure proposals are fundable and operationally sound.


• Support donor and partner relationships in priority African countries.

Role-specific focus

This role requires strong knowledge of regional and country-level contexts, including civic space dynamics, donor landscapes, and operational risks in priority African countries. It draws on networks with local and regional partners and supports proposals that balance donor requirements with locally rooted, power-shifting approaches.

Skills and competencies

• Contextual intelligence and regional awareness.


• Ability to coordinate multi-actor processes.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Collaborative working style.


• Fluent in English. French is an asset.

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.


• 3–7 years of relevant experience in business development or program development in Africa.


• Experience working with institutional donors and/or foundations.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter (maximum 1 page) and CV (maximum 2 pages) as soon as possible by clicking the ‘Apply here’ button. Applications are being received until February 3rd 2026 midnight UTC.