Development Initiatives applies the power of data and evidence to build sustainable solutions.

Our mission is to work closely with partners to ensure data-driven evidence and analysis are used effectively in policy and practice to end poverty, reduce inequality and increase resilience.

While data alone cannot bring about a better world, it is vital to achieving it. Data has the power to unlock insight, shine a light on progress and empower people to increase accountability.

We have an exciting opportunity for an organised, influential and confident business development/fundraising professional to join our Development Team, coordinating a wide portfolio of income streams. The postholder will support fundraising for both the not-for-profit and consultancy sides of our company: through grants and donor outreach for our not-for-profit (Development Initiatives Poverty Research – DIPR) and through client and corporate outreach and market engagement for our for-profit (DI International – DII).

Whilst the primary responsibility of this role is to lead on business management and income generation of DII as part of the Development Team, the postholder may also be asked to support on grant applications for DIPR.

Our business model is a unique arrangement within the sector. DII is wholly owned by DIPR, and its profits are reinvested back into the organisation to facilitate innovation, support sustainability and increase our unrestricted income. DII has demonstrated strong historic growth and has major potential to scale up its operations, especially through government contracts. It offers a range of data analysis and policy research services to actors across the international development sector, its work complementing our broader organisational strategy. It also provides our staff with the opportunity to work on both grant- and consultancy funded programmes, experiencing different relationships and developing a wider skill set.

Key activities:

• Relationship management: identify and secure partnerships, find and maintain contacts and networks, develop key strategic consultancy partnerships.
• Develop compelling concept notes/proposals.
• Ensure the CRM is tracking the pipeline on both grants and commercial contracts.
• Perform due diligence process for partners and consultants.
• Complete board reporting for CEO report, the organisational dashboard and KPIs.

We’re looking for an organised and confident individual who is a proactive networker with strong relationship management skills. You’ll also possess financial acumen and be used to monitoring and reporting against KPIs. You will need strong verbal and written communication skills and experience developing bids or grant proposals and of securing high value grants and/or contracts from multiple sources.

Prior experience of working in the international development sector would be advantageous but is not essential.

We are open to exploring alternative contractual options (e.g. reduced hours, location, contractual status) to enable greater flexibility and suit candidate needs.

If you would like to contribute to the impact of a dynamic organisation committed to ending poverty, we would love to hear from you. Please download and read the full recruitment pack and apply with your CV and cover letter below

Early applications are highly encouraged; we will be reviewing submissions as they arrive, and interviews will be held periodically. As we are recruiting on a rolling basis, we reserve the right to end recruitment without notice.