Business Development Manager

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the largest Finnish organization dedicated to development. Our mission is to bring about positive change by providing assistance to the most vulnerable individuals in fragile contexts. FCA has been active in Syria since 2019, operating under the umbrella of SARC. Our primary focus has been on delivering relief and early recovery services to vulnerable Syrian populations. These services encompass various humanitarian sectors, including Education in Emergency, Early Recovery, livelihood, Shelter/NFI, WASH, and the distribution of multipurpose cash to the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Primary purpose of the position:

The Business Development Manager serves as a strategic leader within the organization, spearheading the planning and execution of funding opportunities. This role involves the development of high-quality concept notes and comprehensive proposals for submission on behalf of FCA Syria Country Office, directly contributing to the organization’s fundraising success. The position requires leading and coordinating the full proposal development cycle, including content writing, document structuring, and ensuring cohesive and proactive engagement with key stakeholders such as new and existing donors, partners, technical advisors, and senior management. Additionally, the role necessitates strict adherence to donor compliance and requirements to facilitate a smooth transition once projects commence.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

Beyond business development, the Business Development Manager will also oversee Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes and ensure the effectiveness and quality of accountability mechanisms. This includes supervising MEAL and accountability staff and leading efforts to improve the organization’s performance in these critical areas.

A strong grasp of the humanitarian and development landscape in Syria is vital for this position. The ideal candidate must possess a demonstrated ability to design and deliver compelling concept notes and winning proposals for institutional donors, including but not limited to SIDA, DANIDA, ECHO, BMZ, GIZ, FCDO, UN agencies, foreign ministries, and USAID/BHA. Furthermore, the candidate should have experience securing funding from private sector donors, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, philanthropic foundations (e.g., the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation), and impact investment funds that support development and humanitarian initiatives. Experience in engaging with private enterprises, multinational corporations, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) for co-financing and social impact investments would be an added advantage.

Donor Reporting

The Business Development Manager is responsible for interim and final project reporting in line with donor guidelines. This involves coordinating with program staff to obtain data on project progress and presenting information to the donor in a clear and coherent manner, in line with agreed timelines.

Donor Grant Management

The Business Development Manager is also responsible for donor grant management. In close coordination with the Head Office Grants Unit, the Manager will ensure the comprehensive review and signature of new donor grant agreements, in line with FCA and donor requirements. The Manager also acts as coordinator and focal point in case of amendments to grant agreements, such as project extensions or modifications due to contextual developments. This involves liaising with program staff to agree on new project targets and ensure correct information provision to donors.

Main tasks

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for the following:

1. Develop and update the office's donor mapping matrix, and provide advice on strategies to enhance progress
2. Review and analyze baseline surveys, research, and secondary literature to incorporate relevant data and analysis into proposals.
3. Ensure past learnings and evaluation outcomes from previous projects are effectively integrated into proposal design and development.
4. Monitor new calls for proposals and thoroughly review the ones published, identifying risks and constraints for each one and FCA’s eligibility and brief CD and other relevant staff accordingly.
5. Lead the writing and coordination process of concept notes and full proposals (to donors such as UN, EU, DG ECHO, MFA Finland, USAID.) in collaboration with the Country Director, , Grants Advisor, and Program Manager. Consolidate inputs from key stakeholders throughout the proposal development process, including ongoing consultations with relevant coordination sectors, Heads of Program groups, and other sources of input such as donor information sessions.
6. Ensure alignment of the proposal with the donors’ and sector’s overall strategy, requirements, and formats.
7. Conduct thorough budget analysis and ensure that the proposed budget aligns with the program activities and objectives.
8. Coordinate with finance and administration teams to gather financial and administrative information for proposal development.
9. Ensure all proposals adhere to the donors’ and organization's policies, compliance criteria, guidelines, and ethical standards.
10. Coordinate the timely submission of proposals, ensuring that all necessary documentation and annexes are included.

Communication Channels:

The Business Development Manager will report to the Country Director Syria-Jordan and collaborate closely with key program stakeholders, including the Grants Advisor at the Head Office, thematic advisors, program managers, MEAL staff, and finance/admin managers. Additionally, the Manager will engage with Technical Advisors, focal points, and field experts from the donor's side to obtain clarity on funding opportunities. Interaction with humanitarian sectors chairs and coordinators will also be necessary to gather technical feedback on needs and responses in different sectors and communities.

Employment Details

• Duration: 1 year with the possibility of extension based on performance outcomes and budget availability.
• Start Date: Preferable April 2025.
• Work Modality: flexible ( remote / in country when necessary)

Special tasks and fixed term projects

• Stay updated on donor trends, priorities, and funding opportunities relevant to the organization's programs.
• Maintain relationships with key donors and partners, attending relevant meetings and events to gather information and build networks.
• Provide guidance and support to staff members involved in proposal development, including training and capacity-building activities.
• Conduct post-submission debriefings and lessons learned exercises to identify areas for improvement in future proposal development processes.

Competence, experience, skills, knowledge needed

• Bachelor's degree in Humanitarian, Social, or Political Studies or a relevant field.
• Minimum five (5) years of international grants management, proposal/business development, and program design experience within the development / humanitarian sector. Experience in nexus and/or development contexts is an asset.
• Prior knowledge and experience of donor regulations and guidelines (EU/ECHO, SHF/UNOCHA, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR and other UN agencies, foreign ministries).
• Strong networking skills and relationship building.
• Indepth understanding of the humanitarian and development contexts in the middle east in particular in Syria, in sectors related to Education in Emergencies, Early Recovery and Livelihoods, Shelter/NFI, and Cash distribution modalities.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal writing, editing, and formatting according to donors' templates and guidelines.
• Detail-oriented, well-organized, and clear communicator.
• Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent English verbal and written skills, knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

How to apply

Interested candidates shall send their CV along with a cover letter to

hr.joco@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi

Subject line:- Business Development Manager