Business Development Manager

Job Description

GIST is recruiting a Business Development Manager (BDM) to support the delivery of our projects in Africa and the Middle East. GIST works on a range of interesting projects – from researching the conflict drivers in the Lake Chad Basin, to investigating illicit finance flows in Mozambique, training government organisations in Iraq, or exploring new ways of delivering aid safely and efficiently to beneficiaries in the Horn of Africa – there is never a dull moment and we are looking for an experienced individual with a background in the aid, security and/or development sectors to join us.

The BDM will drive the identification, qualification, and conversion of new business opportunities. The role manages the development of high-quality proposals, strategic partnerships, and a robust pipeline aligned with GIST’s thematic practices and geographic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development (BD) Strategy and Leadership

• Support the continuous improvement of the BD strategy.
• Streamline and implement BD plans across practices.
• Monitor market trends and client priorities to inform BD positioning.
• Maintain and expand relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders.

2. Opportunity Identification and Qualification

• Systematically track tender platforms and intelligence feeds for new opportunities.
• Lead go/no-go decision processes, ensuring strategic alignment and resource feasibility.
• Maintain accurate records in BD pipeline and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

3. Proposal Development and Bid Management

• Oversee end-to-end proposal development, including technical and commercial components.
• Coordinate bid teams, schedule kick-off meetings, and manage timelines.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements and internal quality standards.
• Liaise with internal contributors (technical leads, finance, knowledge management) and external partners.

4. Strategic Partnerships and Networking

• Identify and cultivate partnerships with organisations that complement GIST’s capabilities.
• Represent GIST in external forums, conferences, and networking events.

5. Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to refining BD tools, templates, and workflows.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for BD contributors.

Required Skills and Experience

·      Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Affairs, Security Studies, International Development, or related field; alternatively, bachelor’s degree in similar areas with additional relevant experience.

·      Experience: Minimum 7 years in BD roles within consulting organisations for government, public sector and international organisation clients. Established network with bilateral and multilateral public sector and international organisations and implementing partners.

Excellent knowledge of industry frameworks when working with at least 3 of the following bodies: UK Government, US Government, United Nations, European Union.

·      Technical expertise: Strong understanding of international cooperation projects, proposal writing, and pricing strategies.

·      Tools: Proficiency in CRM systems, MS Office Suite, and collaborative platforms (SharePoint, Teams). Experience with digital transformation and BD automation tools.

·      Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; additional languages desirable.

Desirable Skills

·      Familiarity with thematic areas such as governance, peacebuilding, security, humanitarian response, or private sector development.

·      Established network with private sector clients, organisations, and implementing partners.

Core Competencies

·      Client focus: Builds strong relationships and anticipates client needs.

·      Strategic thinking: Aligns BD efforts with organisational priorities.

·      Proactive drive: Proactively finds and develops new opportunities.

·      Proposal development and production: Demonstrated ability to develop and write high-quality proposals to win high-value, competitive projects.

·      Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and geographies.

·      Innovation: Identifies and implements process improvements.

Performance Management

·      KPIs include pipeline growth, proposal win rate, and contribution to strategic partnerships.

·      Bi-annual performance reviews aligned with GIST’s Performance Management Plan.

About the Organization

GIST works on a range of interesting projects – from researching the conflict drivers in the Lake Chad Basin, to investigating illicit finance flows in Mozambique, training government organisations in Iraq, or exploring new ways of delivering aid safely and efficiently to beneficiaries in the Horn of Africa – there is never a dull moment and we are looking for an experienced individual with a background in the aid, security and/or development sectors to join us.