Head of Business Development

Are you passionate about driving sustainability and climate resilience in developing nations?

Do you possess a unique blend of commercial expertise and subject matter knowledge in carbon markets and rural landscape restoration?

We are seeking a dedicated and innovative Head of Business Development to join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in the growth and supporting investment in a global portfolio of large-scale re-greening programs.

The Organisation

The Global EverGreening Alliance (The Alliance) is an international NGO, which coordinates the development and implementation of large-scale land restoration programs. It’s members include World Vision, CARE International, Oxfam, Catholic Relief Services, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, the World Resources Institute and The World Agroforestry Centre.

The Alliance was established to create and apply long-term solutions to the global problems of land degradation and climate change. This is done through a collaborative approach with an emphasis on evergreening practices: regenerative farming that integrates trees into crop and livestock production systems of smallholder farms. In June 2022, the Alliance launched Restore Africa, the largest community-based land restoration program in Africa. More than 1,8 million hectares of degraded land will be restored through sustainable land management practices in six countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda, improving the livelihoods of more than 2 million households and capturing more than 80 million tons of CO2 in the process.

The Position

The Global Evergreening Alliance is seeking a talented and highly motivated Business Development Specialist with exceptional stakeholder engagement, relationship management, negotiation, team management and proposal writing skills.

The position will work closely with the Grants and Partnerships team, Finance and Carbon Technical Advisors, and will report to the CEO. Due to a significant part of the organisation’s work occurring outside normal Australian business hours (to align with international time-zones), flexible working hours can be negotiated. Full-time or part-time applicants considered (4-5 days per week).

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Building and managing the Business Development team within the Alliance and ensuring the development of and adherence to appropriate internal processes, systems and policies.
• Identifying and determining suitability of funding opportunities for development by the organisation.
• Leading the development of diverse income streams, including grant funding, co-financing, public-private partnerships, impact investing and commercial investment.
• Analysing and summarising the strategies, policies, guidelines and opportunities of relevant stakeholders, including corporations, corporate foundations, investment funds and donors.
• Working closely with the CEO, the Grants and Partnerships Team and other thematic teams within the Secretariat to ensure coordination and alignment between opportunities and the requirements of implementing organisations and in-country Governments.
• Creating and managing fundraising and business development opportunities across a diverse portfolio.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exercising a high level of discretion and diplomacy in dealing with all stakeholders, staff and sensitive issues.
• Developing and maintaining business development and fundraising strategies, opportunity pipeline and contact database.
• Maintaining detailed records of all communications with external stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date information on all opportunities, submissions and prospective/current funders.
• Liaising with the Grants and Partnerships Team and the Implementation Team to ensure that all stakeholders are kept up to date concerning developing funding opportunities.
• Creating business cases and professional documents that are tailored to the needs and interests of diverse external stakeholders, including potential donors/investors.
• Overseeing and supporting the development of carbon program submissions, ensuring compliance with funders, appropriate international carbon standard requirements and that applications are submitted on time and meet all legal, financial and organisational approval and delegation requirements.
• Providing the CEO with regular strategic intelligence and pipeline updates.
• Representing the organisation as required, including by participating in functions, events and meetings.
• Managing the Business Development budget in conjunction with the CEO, ensuring spending is proportionate to required outcomes.

Key Selection Criteria

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing corporate partnerships, writing tenders, business cases, investment proposals or similar.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to engage, build and manage relationships with stakeholders both internally and externally, and with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage other staff to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of large corporate, institutional and development actors and of carbon, climate and/or environment-related markets.
• Demonstrated ability to broker strategic relationships, partnerships and opportunities.
• Excellent writing skills, including logical structure, clear articulation of compelling arguments, and use of correct grammar and expression.
• Well-developed time management skills and an ability to prioritise tasks, manage heavy workloads, delegate effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, a ‘can do’ attitude, and an ability to work independently, and as an effective team member to achieve shared goals.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field would be an advantage.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position you must have the right to work in Australia. Please provide your resume and a cover letter clearly addressing the Key Selection Criteria in your application. Only candidates who address the selection criteria will be considered for shortlisting.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, please submit your application as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected], using the subject line: Head of Business Development enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

The Global EverGreening Alliance has zero tolerance for child abuse, discrimination, harassment, and workplace bullying. All staff, including volunteers, are required to sign an acknowledgement and adhere strictly to the organisation’s child protection, safeguarding and other policies. In addition, the successful applicant will need to provide a recent Australian Police Record Check and a current Working with Children Check card.