Job Opportunity: Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO)- Re-advertised position available at JaRco Consulting PLC in Addis Ababa. Business and Administration, Business Development, Consultancy and Training, Development and Project Management, Environment and Natural Resource, Research and Development, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Community Service jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Position Title: Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Employment Type: Full-time

Organizational Background

JaRco Consulting is a leading international consulting firm headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with operations across East Africa and beyond. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), delivering evidence-driven insights to donors, NGOs, UN agencies, and private sector actors. With expertise across agriculture, livelihoods, health, nutrition, gender, and capacity development, JaRco is committed to driving impact through high-quality research, evaluation, and advisory services.

Position Summary

The Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) is a senior leadership position responsible for shaping and executing JaRco’s global growth strategy. The CBDO leads the organization’s business development function, ensures strategic alignment with corporate goals, and positions JaRco as a partner of choice for international donors and clients.

The role provides executive oversight to the Business Development Manager and team, ensuring high-quality proposal development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. The CBDO also plays a critical role in external representation, stakeholder engagement, and guiding JaRco’s long-term business positioning.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Strategic Leadership

• Define and lead JaRco’s overall business development strategy in line with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
• Supervise and mentor the Business Development Manager and team to ensure delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Provide executive-level guidance on capture planning, competitive positioning, and partnership strategies.
• Advise the CEO and Board on donor trends, funding landscapes, and strategic opportunities for growth.

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2. Business Development Oversight

• Oversee the full lifecycle of business development activities including market intelligence, opportunity identification, proposal development, and post-award negotiations.
• Ensure proposal quality by reviewing and approving technical approaches, budgets, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Lead high-value and strategic bids, especially with multilateral and bilateral donors.
• Develop, strengthen, and institutionalize business development processes and systems across the organization.

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2. Partnership and External Relations

• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with donors, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners.
• Represent JaRco in global forums, donor consultations, and strategic networking events.
• Negotiate consortium agreements, subcontracts, and partnerships to secure competitive positioning.

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2. Organizational Development

• Contribute to corporate strategy, resource mobilization, and financial sustainability planning.
• Identify and support capacity building for staff to enhance JaRco’s competitiveness and market reach.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability within the Business Development Unit.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or higher) in International Development, Public Policy, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively senior experience in business development, fundraising, or program design within the international development sector.
• Demonstrated success in securing large-scale, multi-country projects from bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Proven leadership and management experience with ability to supervise teams and drive organizational growth.
• Strong technical writing, strategic communication, and negotiation skills.
• Native-level proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French or other international languages is an asset.

How To Apply

How to Apply

• Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications by email to hresources@jarco.info Please use the subject line: Your Full Name – Chief Business Development Officer Application.
  
   

Applications must include:

• A cover letter highlighting your leadership experience, achievements, and vision for business development.
• An updated CV with a clear track record of securing and managing high-value donor projects.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
JaRco is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.