Business Development Programme Manager

One growing network. One shared mission. Includovate (Include+Innovate) incubates inclusive and rigorous research talent. That talent will help to create an equal world free from biases where knowledge is co-created, and justice is clearly defined. Are you passionate about inclusion and equality and ready to make an impact in a startup organisation? 

We believe that your attitude matters more than your experience. We are looking for an ambitious, motivated, passionate individual who wants to make the world more equal. We are a mission-first and salary-second organisation.

Our fast-paced organisation values collaboration, capacity building, and a growth mindset. We look for people who are lifelong learners, hard workers, empathetic, and supportive. We promote excellence at Includovate. This is not a conventional job. Includovators improve the world by removing data biases, power imbalances and discriminatory mental models through evidence and learning. We guarantee interesting work.

Includovate is looking for a passionate individual with excellent experience in business development and Project management in International development. The Program Manager for BD will coordinate the business development team, working on multiple proposal developments to ensure team selection, economies of scale and alignment with overall business goals. They will work with proposal developers on national and global projects to plan the submission of proposals to clients. You will be a team player willing to give your all to help the social enterprise grow. We need you to deliver an outstanding “Client Proposal” by ensuring our proposals are delivered to high quality, on time and with clear and regular communication so our clients choose Includovate for their work. You coordinate across the firm to align methodology writers, budget reviewers, bid owners, etc., You manage task allocation and databases and consolidate performance metrics and other reports as requested by the BD head and executives. We are looking for a motivated, ambitious self-starter who is an innovator who loves autonomy, leading and developing capacity.

• Proposal Management Planning:
  • Tender Search: Conducts weekly searches of tenders, RFPs, and other call-outs for consultants, compiling a list of proposals in the pipeline for the BD team.
  • Go/No-Go Assessment: Performs initial assessments of proposals in the pipeline, prioritises these, and assigns different roles to the teams.
  • Team composition: Assemble and manage the team composition process in coordination with the BD HR. This includes conducting database search to identify suitable experts for proposals and assessing CVs.
  • Set up a weekly pipeline for proposal writing. i.e. BD PM ensures at least 3 proposals at a minimum per week.
• Proposal Management:
  • Collaborates with research leads and Program leads to adequately respond to at-risk deliverables, including re-directing resources, liaising with clients, and personally lending assistance where necessary, reviewing budgets and timelines for each proposal.
  • Proposal Allocation: Ensures proposals are reviewed, completed, and submitted to clients on time.
  • Coordinates internally between different teams (including the Business Development Team Lead, BD HR, BD Proposal Writers, and Reviewers) to complete the proposal writing process.
  • Consistently and effectively uses Includovate’s project management platform and processes to implement and monitor
    projects (each proposal is considered separate).
  • Maintains a bird’s eye view of all proposals being written and coordinates with other units (e.g., HR, Finance, and other teams) to ensure smooth submission of proposals.
  • Monitors proposal development risks and takes risk mitigation actions as necessary.

• Client & Team Management:
  • Builds and manages strong client relationships, including participating in client interviews for new projects.
  • Employs sound judgment and discretion in assessing candidate qualifications and making informed subcontractor selection decisions.
  • Regularly communicates with senior leadership and escalates issues where appropriate.
• Management & Follow-Up:
  • Manages various processes, including team composition, proposal progress, CRM boards, resources, and proposal costs.
  • Follows up with clients for bid information, partners,
• Proposal Writing:
• • Support Role: Where necessary, support and assist with proposal writing, including literature reviews and analysis, timelines and budgets, and coordinating across the business development team. As experience grows, involvement in writing will increase.
• Quality Assurance & Research:
  • Conducts appropriate quality assurance on deliverables to ensure the professional and engaging presentation of information, sound analysis, defensible conclusions, and consistent adherence to Includovate branding and quality.
  • Contributes to the development and execution of organisational goals, including assisting with training, capacity building, and systems development activities.
  • Identifies opportunities for innovation and business process improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualifications) in business management, development studies, economics, education,
  law, management, public administration, sociology, and/or statistics.
• Minimum 5 yrs of relevant work experience in business development ideally in proposal management with minimum
  2 yrs of experience in managing a team.
• Ideally, you will have experience in proposal management, proposal writing, team composition and coordination.
• Strong organisation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in English (being bilingual is an advantage, optional).
• Familiarity with using software to manage projects and run reports/analytics is preferred.

• You listen well, instead of reacting fast, so you can better understand.
•  You’re concise and articulate in your communications
• You are good at planning and implementing even small tasks.
• You learn eagerly and rapidly.
• You are a democratic and reject command-and-control structures.
• You take smart risks, creative and curious.
• You think of critical feedback as a growth opportunity
• You believe in gender equality and equal opportunity
• You are a feminist

• Work Location: Remote working with excellent flexibility, successful candidates need to have a computer/ laptop with high-speed internet connection.
• Employment Type: This is a three to six months contractual part time/ full time volunteer position.
• Work hours: Flexible working arrangements apply, with some work falling outside core business hours to accommodate time zone differences.