Who We Are
Science Teaching and Innovations Africa (STIA) (formerly known as Science Teachers’ Initiative STI) is a Ugandan locally registered non-profit non-governmental organization made up of experienced science teachers and innovators. The organization invests in improving the quality of education and stimulating critical thinking and innovation among young people in Africa.
Our Vision Statement: A vibrant community of empowered science educators and young scientists driving
African socioeconomic development through innovative homegrown solutions.
Our Mission is to optimize science education experiences and outcomes as fundamental catalysts for the accelerated socioeconomic development of Africa.
STIA legally authorized River flow International (RIFI) to sponsor its activities and to transact on behalf of STIA, on which powers of attorney was issued. All instructional materials and publications of Science Teaching and Innovations Africa are copy righted as per the laws of Uganda.
Job Summary:
The Business Development Manager is to work with the Science and Innovations cluster and other business development team members to generate and manage a sustainable pipeline of work that reflects the current and anticipated business strategy and regional business plans for River Flow International-Science Teaching and Innovations Africa. This will be achieved through working with the market research team, interpreting their data, and following through with client engagement, key account management, and engagement with key stakeholders; including potential donors, schools, corporate bodies, government, and potential partner organizations with subsequent action plans to convert opportunities into tenders, supplies and funding. The business development manager will expand on their existing network of contacts to sustainably grow the RIFI-STIA business and programming in line with sector/geographical targets.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Business development & planning
- Develop and lead sector and client business and marketing plans for RIFI-STIA with a typical horizon of 1 to 5 years
- Analyse the customer base across RIFI-STIA to establish a common approach to retention and growth,
- Enhance regional and operational staff business development capabilities and work with them to achieve their winning work targets.
Business Intelligence
- Working with science and innovations research team, develop and manage an up-to-date client/stakeholders’ needs assessment and a plan on how to address them,
- Undertake key research to understand the business and project drivers of sectors/clients, donors, and potential opportunities.
Donor Mapping & Resource Mobilization
- Develop and implement a donor mapping strategy for RIFI-STIA,
- Build meaningful relations with potential donors/stakeholders/clients to connect with key decision makers and to showcase the RIFI-STIA innovations and programs.
- Work closely with the programs team to develop quality and competitive funding proposals,
- Work closely with financial institutions and other cooperate organisations to incorporate ESG funding within RIFI-STIA programming.
Client relationships
- Build on an already established network of contacts across RIFI-STIA’s four target sectors of Science, Education, Innovation, and Research to bring opportunities into the business that can be converted to tenders, supplies and grants,
- Be able to both take the lead on client relationships, but equally introduce to regional teams and ensure a robust client relationships management strategy/delivery,
- Engage with sectors and customers to anticipate potential business opportunities and implement actions that will position RIFI-STIA with differentiated advantage,
- Ensure effective management of customer satisfaction surveys and feedback mechanisms,
- Prepare programs of external communication, customer engagement, and brand promotion that will contribute to the achievement of RIFI-STIA strategic objectives.
Key Networking/Events
- Organise and represent RIFI-STIA at key networking events to raise the organization’s profile,
- Facilitate client target dinners at RIFI-STIA to bring together the regional/operational team with our target client organizations in order to nurture client relationships and translate them into real opportunities.
Key Measures & Targets:
- Market intelligence reports to be updated with the research team to track targets,
- Client engagement numbers against opportunities converted,
- Number of New clients/partners/funders introduced to RIFI-STIA,
- Number of donors engaged and grants/funding opportunities won
- Customer Satisfaction undertaken and feedback to be reported quarterly to the supervisor.
Person Specification:
The successful candidate is expected to meet the following criteria:
- Experience in building commercial relationships to help deliver improved service and innovation to the customers,
- Existing network of contacts within RIFI-STIA’s sectors (Science, Education, Innovation, and Research) within Africa,
- Detailed knowledge of marketing and business development (strategic and tactical),
- Strong verbal and written communication skills,
- Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines,
- Ability to seek and develop new relationships to achieve strategic business objectives,
- Ability to convert client relationships into opportunities for the business
- Create a culture of constructive and effective communication
- Communicate with authority and conviction in all situations with all levels of staff/client organizations
- Ability to contribute to the development of strategy and take responsibility for delivering strategic objectives
- Recognise changing market forces that may impact upon own or customers’ business and put plans into action to make a positive contribution
- Ability to work effectively as a member of different teams both internally and externally.
Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
- Must hold a university degree in Marketing, Education, Commerce, Economics, International Business or a related field from a recognized institution; a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or relevant certification in Business Development or Sales is preferred.
- Experience: At least a minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, sales, marketing or a related field with an NGO or competitive private company. Proven track record of achieving business development targets and securing new business deals.
Working Conditions:
- The role may require frequent travels to rural project sites using public transport means,
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Submit your cover letter, cv & copies of academic credentials as one pdf file by 11:59pm, 18th July 2024 to
