Location: Addis Ababa
Deadline: Aug 10, 2023
Job Description
Digital Green is an international non-government organization that empowers smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by harnessing the collective power of technology and grassroots-level partnerships. We join forces with governments, private agencies, CSOs and, most importantly, rural communities themselves to co-create digital solutions that help smallholder farmers increase productivity and income. In Ethiopia, Digital Green is working in four regions in introducing and scaling video-extension approach, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture and Natural Resource. For more information, please visit Digital Green’s website: www.digitalgreen.org. Rigorous data analysis and farmer feedback continually challenge our assumptions and identify new ways that technology coupled with local knowledge can push the needle on agriculture, food and nutrition security.
Digital Green is entering an exciting phase of development as it expands to additional digital solutions, agricultural commodities and geographies. As part of this expansion, Digital Green is building a team of exceptional individuals with a passion for finding solutions to pressing development problems. This is an exciting opportunity to join Digital Green’s growing team in Ethiopia, supporting our ongoing and new programs.
Job Summary
The Business Development & Communications Head (or BD/Comms Head) will be responsible for sourcing and tracking new funding opportunities for Digital Green in Ethiopia, developing a wide network of donors and potential partners in order to position Digital Green Ethiopia to bid on identified opportunities, lead new project design and grant proposal writing, and support external communications for business development and branding goals.
Reporting to the Country Director and based in Addis Ababa, the BD/Comms Head works closely with Digital Green’s global Business Development and Communications teams, Digital Green Ethiopia’s Communication Manager and the Country Team in general.
Key Responsibilities
Network development
- Cultivate relationships with representatives of donors (bilateral and multilateral donors and foundations) and implementer active in the agriculture sector in Ethiopia.
- Represent Digital Green through participation in forums such as the Ethiopia donor working group and other gatherings of donors and implementing partners.
- Avail opportunities to network and meet formally and informally with donors and potential partners to raise awareness of Digital Green’s activities and success in Ethiopia.
Source and track new funding opportunities
- Through discussions with donors and partners, identify new funding opportunities and share with the country team and global BD team to assess whether to pursue it and to determine whether Digital Green is positioned to lead or partner on identified opportunities.
- Build and maintain contacts and interactions with potential donors and partners in Digital Green’s customer relationship management database (Raiser’s Edge).
- Maintain communication regarding new leads with global BD team through regularly scheduled calls and updates.
New project design and grant proposal writing
Work in collaboration with country program, M&E and finance staff and the global business development team to develop compelling, responsive and winning proposals.
- Participate in technical design discussions to shape program design.
- Contribute to proposal development by collecting data and relevant background materials, and input from project staff and synthesizing these materials.
- Develop and review concept note and proposal drafts in collaboration with global BD team and country team.
- On subbing opportunities, participate in discussions with the lead organization and other partners to shape Digital Green’s role and scope in the proposed project.
- In collaboration with the Communications Manager, lead Digital Green Ethiopia’s external communications
- Refine and support communications strategy to broaden awareness of its programs and priorities across key stakeholder audiences.
Orient external communications tactics to create engagements that lead to new potential funding opportunities, including:
- Developing collateral focused on communicating Digital Green’s value proposition,
- Guide the implementation of external events by the Communications Manager to raise awareness and cultivate new donor opportunities.
Compensation
Digital Green is a great place to work and prides itself on a competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Digital Green is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
- Masters Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Rural Development, Agriculture, Economics, or related fields
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in donor networking, project design and in writing grant proposals and donor reports
- Experience in the agriculture, rural development, climate/natural resource management sectors is of a great advantage
- Experience in the international development or non-profit/NGO sector
- Demonstrated experience in collecting and analyzing agricultural, socio-economic, climate, and/or natural resource management related data
- Team management experience is desired
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Team player with requisite social skills to build cordial relationships with internal / external stakeholders.
- Strong work ethic and self-driven; displays the ability to take timely actions and effectively accomplish work results with limited supervision and guidance.
- Willingness to take on challenging tasks/ assignments beyond immediate responsibility.
- High level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.
- Innovative and creative thinker –not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so.
- Willingness to travel to rural Ethiopia and interact with farming communities.
How to Apply
If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to Digital Green mission and vision, please send your application through the application link https://digitalgreen.applytojob.com/apply/FAFI2ZtPsU/Head-Business-Development-Communications
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply.
Timeline for application is until August 11,2023.