Business Development Specialist

Position Summary

The Business Development Specialist strengthens Paraklet Inc.’s growth strategy by identifying partnership opportunities, expanding institutional relationships, and supporting donor‑aligned positioning. As Paraklet scales its women’s economic leadership and youth empowerment programs, this role ensures the organization is strategically placed for collaboration with USAID primes, INGOs, foundations, universities, and private‑sector partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Partnership Development — Identify and cultivate partnerships with INGOs, foundations, universities, CSR programs, and community organizations aligned with Paraklet’s mission.
• Market & Donor Research — Conduct landscape analyses to identify strategic opportunities, emerging trends, and potential collaborators.
• Outreach & Engagement — Draft outreach messages, schedule introductory calls, and support relationship‑building with institutional partners.
• Capability Statement & Pitch Support — Contribute to capability statements, pitch decks, and organizational profiles tailored to donor and partner requirements.
• Pipeline Development — Maintain a structured pipeline of partnership opportunities, deadlines, and engagement milestones.
• Cross‑Team Coordination — Work with Programs, MEL, Finance, and Communications to gather data and strengthen organizational positioning.
• Visibility & Representation — Support Paraklet’s participation in events, webinars, and networking opportunities to enhance visibility.

Qualifications

• Required Skills — Strong communication and relationship‑building skills; ability to conduct research; experience in outreach or partnership development; strong writing and presentation abilities.
• Preferred Skills — Experience with INGOs, USAID primes, or foundations; familiarity with nonprofit development; understanding of women’s economic empowerment; French or Swahili proficiency.

Time Commitment

Flexible, typically 5–10 hours per week for volunteers; 10–20 hours per week for consultants depending on partnership volume.

Volunteer/Consultant Status

Volunteer roles are unpaid. Consultants are compensated based on agreed terms. Volunteers and consultants are not employees of Paraklet Inc. and are not eligible for wages or employment benefits unless contracted.

Safeguarding & Values

All team members must uphold Paraklet Inc.’s mission, safeguarding standards, and zero‑tolerance policies, ensuring ethical representation of beneficiaries and communities.

Special Instructions / Desired Candidate Profile

Paraklet Inc. is rapidly scaling its operations, expanding programs, and strengthening donor readiness. We seek ambitious, impact‑driven individuals who want to grow their careers by contributing to a fast‑moving, locally led nonprofit with a strong footprint in the DRC.

Ideal candidates are those who:

• Take Initiative — You proactively identify partnership opportunities, propose ideas, and move work forward without waiting for direction.
• Lead Without Supervision — You thrive in autonomous environments and can manage outreach and research tasks with minimal oversight.
• Seek Career Growth — You want to build a strong portfolio in partnership development, donor engagement, and nonprofit strategy.
• Deliver Impact — You are motivated by meaningful work that strengthens communities and expands opportunities for women and youth.
• Embrace Fast‑Growing Environments — You are energized by organizations that are expanding, evolving, and creating new leadership opportunities.

If you are ready to take initiative, lead independently, and leave a true impact, Paraklet Inc. is the place to grow your career while contributing to transformational change.