Business Development & Partnerships Coordinator

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the United Nations in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with governments, businesses, and civil society, GAIN transforms food systems to deliver healthier diets for all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN operates in Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, with representative offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

GAIN believes everyone should have access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food. Through innovative partnerships and evidence-based solutions, the organization works to improve nutrition outcomes worldwide.

Job Summary

GAIN’s funding is primarily derived from bilateral government aid agencies and foundations supporting health and nutrition initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. In line with GAIN’s strategy to expand and diversify its funding base, this position supports resource mobilization for the Ethiopia country programme.

The Business Development & Partnerships Coordinator will lead project development and resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding opportunities, coordinating proposal development, engaging with donors and partners, and ensuring high-quality donor reporting. The role serves as the primary focal point for business development activities within the Ethiopia country office while supporting enterprise growth initiatives through Business Development Services (BDS).

Key Responsibilities

Donor Identification & Resource Mobilization

• Identify new donors and funding opportunities through partnerships, internal networks, and research.
• Serve as the focal point for donor intelligence, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
• Share relevant funding information with both country and global teams.

Project & Proposal Development

• Collaborate with Ethiopia programme teams and technical experts to develop new programmes and proposals.
• Write, edit, and strengthen funding proposals.
• Ensure project designs align with donor priorities, guidelines, and strategic objectives.
• Support proposal budget development in collaboration with finance teams.
• Develop appropriate project indicators to measure progress and impact.

Bid Coordination & Quality Assurance

• Coordinate proposal development processes to produce competitive, high-quality submissions.
• Establish and coordinate internal proposal development teams.
• Track proposal components, including:
  • Technical narrative
  • Budget
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan
  • Workplan
• Coordinate internal review processes and ensure compliance with GAIN procedures.
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality proposals.

Donor Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure project teams understand donor requirements and compliance standards.
• Coordinate the timely preparation and submission of quality donor reports.

Programme Support & Capacity Building

• Support programme development and resource mobilization strategies.
• Develop promotional and fundraising materials.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to support resource mobilization priorities.
• Build the capacity of Ethiopia country teams in:
  • Project development
  • Proposal writing
  • Donor reporting
• Hold regular meetings with programme teams to monitor progress and provide strategic guidance.

Business Development & Enterprise Support

• Contribute to improving Business Development Services (BDS).
• Support SME and enterprise growth initiatives through continuous process improvement and quality assurance.

Key Working Relationships

• Country Director, GAIN Ethiopia
• Development Office
• Ethiopia Programme, Policy, and Operations Teams
• Project Oversight Committee
• Legal and Contracts Team

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Business, Management, Economics, or a related field.
• A postgraduate qualification is highly preferred.

Experience

• Experience in proposal development and fundraising.
• Experience leading proposal development teams and securing funding.
• Experience working with major government donors and/or international foundations.
• Experience coordinating donor grants and reporting.
• Knowledge of the Ethiopian funding landscape is an advantage.
• Experience working in an international organization or private sector in a similar role.
• Experience working with multicultural and global teams.
• Experience in training or capacity building is desirable.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Excellent proposal writing and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and attention-to-detail skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Strong ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills in multicultural and multilingual environments.
• Good understanding of international development funding mechanisms.
• Knowledge of major bilateral donors, European funding agencies, and international foundations.
• Strong budgeting knowledge within international development programmes.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional proposal development teams.
• Ability to solve problems creatively and exercise sound judgment.
• Proven ability to work effectively within matrix and fast-paced environments.
• Knowledge of Food and Nutrition Security is an advantage.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

What GAIN Offers

• Competitive remuneration package
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Friendly and collaborative working environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to contribute to reducing global malnutrition and improving food systems worldwide

Note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive. The successful candidate may be required to undertake additional responsibilities that are broadly aligned with the duties and objectives of this position.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics
• Education / Teaching / Training
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development