Head of Business and Organization Development

Job Title: Head of Business and Organization Development
Department: Programs and Operations
Contract: One-year contract with yearly renewal until 2028
 Duty station: Addis Ababa/Head Office
Reports to:    The Executive Director with frequent collaboration with SCORE Programme team of HelpAge International and peer focal persons in anchor civil society organizations participating in SCORE programme.

Background

HelpAge Ethiopia is a national non-profit organization and a member of the HelpAge International global network. Established as an independent national entity in 2025, it builds on over 30 years of impactful work as the country office of HelpAge International, which began its operations in Ethiopia in 1992.

HelpAge Ethiopia is among multi-country organizations implementing the SIDA-funded SCORE: Strengthening Civil society for Older people’s Rights and Engagement programme. The SCORE programme aims at strengthening the capacity of key anchor organisations – organisations identified as having the potential to act as central focal points on ageing for civil society – working in nine (09) national contexts to create a more inclusive, locally anchored, transparent, effective, and thriving civil society working with and on behalf of older people to challenge ageism and reduce the multidimensional poverty older people experience. The nine anchor civil society organizations will carry out advocacy at the global, regional, and national levels, generate opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with governments and stakeholders, and act through the amplified voice of older people.

The SCORE programme will support anchor civil society organisations and invest in strengthening their organisational capacity, effectiveness, and sustainability while focusing on strengthening their ability to work with and on behalf of older people. In this regard, HelpAge Ethiopia is currently seeking the head of Business and organization development, capable of Developing, executing, and overseeing a business strategy development, leading and coordinating fund raising effort, organization development task and capacity building initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive growth by identifying new funding opportunities.
• Developing strategic partnerships, and creating long-term value for the organization through fundraising, proposal writing, and relationship management with donors and stakeholders
• Work as the organisational focal person for SCORE capacity strengthening activities.
• Conduct capacity needs assessments for staff and the organisation.
• In light of the assessment, develop a comprehensive capacity strengthening strategy and action plan in collaboration with SCORE Team at HelpAge International
• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and learning events.
• Coordinate with internal and external experts to facilitate specialised trainings. In this regard, facilitate support from other anchor CSOs, HelpAge’s global network, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a database of training resources and materials.
• Monitor, evaluate and document the impact of capacity strengthening activities.
• Work closely with the CSO leadership, offering technical advice and support to ensure alignment of capacity strengthening efforts with SCORE and the organizational strategic priorities.
• Prepare periodic reports and documentation of lessons learned.
• Support knowledge management and organizational learning initiatives. Participate in sharing and learning events and meetings organized by SCORE programme.
• Hold regular meetings and communication with the HelpAge capacity strengthening manager and SCORE programme team, who will support their capacity strengthening journey, point to relevant tools and resources, and draw and share lessons from across the capacity strengthening initiative.
• Lead on preparing and submitting narrative and financial reports in compliance with the grant agreement and ensure compliance with the donor requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development studies, Human Resources, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in business development, capacity strengthening, training, or organizational development in Not for profit sector.
• Strong networking, facilitation and communication skills.
• Experience in developing training materials and conducting evaluations of capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Familiarity with adult learning principles and participatory training methodologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital learning platforms.

Competencies

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement

In addition, as a HelpAge employee, you are expected to:   

• Work collaboratively, building mutual trust and respect, with external organisations and partners to achieve our strategic aims and objectives; being accountable for the work you do together.
• Adapt to new directions or opportunities arising within the organization and in your work area; being flexible in your role, constantly using the feedback to learn more and evolve further.
• Lead behavioural and cultural change through embracing a supportive, collaborative and highly inclusive environment where everybody feels supported, respected and engaged.
• Extend HelpAge’s reach and impact by creating and identifying new business development opportunities and building relationships with new partners.
• Lead and promote a culture of including the voices of older people across our support, convening, and thought leadership roles, in a way that is transformative, empowering, and highly inclusive of those marginalized by gender, economic status, disability, and other factors of discrimination.