Manager, Global Business Development and Partnerships

Jacaranda Health is a nonprofit organization whose mission for the last eight years has been to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in the public health system. We work hand-in-hand with governments, including county health management teams and Ministries of Health, to deploy affordable and scalable solutions through public hospitals, where the majority of underserved mothers and babies receive care. These solutions include PROMPTS, an AI-enabled text messaging service for mothers, and MENTORS, a facility-based training program equipping frontline nurses with lifesaving skills and knowledge. In Kenya, we work in 22 of Kenya’s busiest counties, who our interventions, and work with us to design what and how we measure impact for effective decision-making. These partnerships have helped us reach 2.4 million women with our solutions across 1,100+ health centers and hospitals. We are now expanding our digital health platform to new geographies: we are actively piloting work in Eswatini and Ghana, and are in discussions with partners in other countries in Africa. 

Jacaranda Health is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and other legally protected characteristics. 

About the Role

Jacaranda Health is in an exciting stage of development and global expansion. As we expand our digital health programs to new countries, we anticipate growing through partnerships with other implementing organizations. We seek a values-aligned Business Development and Partnerships Manager to help us build strategic partnerships that expand our reach and impact to new countries. Reporting to Jacaranda Health’s co-Executive Director, the role will help us to identify new implementing partners to scale our programs in other countries, and build a pipeline of opportunities (focused on bilateral and multilateral funders such as USAID, FDCO, UN agencies etc). The job will involve building relationships with partners; systematic prospect research; process management; developing materials to attract new partners; and collaborating with a global team to mentor and coordinate efforts through the partner acquisition lifecycle.

What you will do

The BDPM will work closely with the co-Executive Director, technical and country leads, and finance and operations teams to execute partnerships strategy, engage, and mentor program staff.  The ideal candidate is someone with experience throughout the partnership lifecycle, with an established track record of securing new partnerships for global NGOs and with an established network within the global health sector.

As a Business Development Manager, you will play a pivotal role in Jacaranda Health’s development and expansion. Working closely with the co-Executive Director and technical and country leads, you will work on developing and executing our partnerships strategy as well as engaging and mentoring program staff in business development. The ideal candidate has a comprehensive background in the partnership lifecycle, with a proven record of securing partnerships for global NGOs and an established network within the global health sector. Core responsibilities include:

Partnership support, business development and external engagement

• Represent Jacaranda within the global health community, engaging regularly with contacts of prospective and current partners to develop new collaborations and steward existing ones.

• Work with Jacaranda’s communications lead on the development of compelling collateral (concepts, capability statements, briefers, impact stories) requested by partner prospects.

• Manage a select number of active partnership opportunities and cultivate these through the pipeline into advanced stages and proposal development and contract negotiation.

Prospect identification, lead generation and proposal development

• Research, identify and qualify prospective partners who might implement PROMPTS or Jacaranda’s other programs in new geographies, or support current operations. 

• Identify, qualify, and track upcoming bilateral and multilateral aid opportunities that align with Jacaranda’s key intervention areas and target geographies

• Conduct outreach to new partners, develop pitches, and lead meetings to cultivate interest in working with us.

• Facilitate the grant development process for bilateral and more complex funding opportunities - e.g. USAID or FCDO bids and subs - serving as the central coordinator for proposals. 

Process management

• Manage process and pipeline for partnership acquisition by tracking critical prospect information, strategies and goals, and communication and engagement in the CRM.

• Ensure the team stay abreast of deadlines and key partnership milestones by coordinating across multiple departments, including Executive, Finance, and Programs. 

• Mentor Jacaranda's team on more complex partner development and processes - e.g. pre-bidding negotiations for bilateral funding, teaming agreements, etc.
  

Who you are

We are seeking a full time, motivated professional who brings a blend of consulting skills, tactical and strategic problem solving. You are someone who has demonstrated success leading the entire partnership lifecycle and managing colleagues through the process; but is also interested in helping us improve our processes, build our capacity, identify new business models and partners, and eventually uncover new markets and opportunities for growth in the increasingly crowded field of global digital health. This is an opportunity for a motivated professional to build-out the business development function in a growing global health / digital health organization. Some specific qualifications you must have to be considered for this role include:

• A bachelor’s degree in global health, international development, or related field.

• 4-7 years of progressive experience with a mission-driven NGO or social enterprise, with success forming new partnerships and converting these partnerships into new contracts and revenue.

• Strong preference for someone with experience with digital health programs and products.

• Knowledge of and experience across the full grant and contract development life cycle and demonstrated ability to lead internal teams and external partners successfully through the process.

• Knowledge of the global landscape of bilateral and multilateral funders in global health and experience of partnership development within the contracting process.

• Strong knowledge and understanding of CRM management and reporting.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, initiative, and ability to work independently in a small, dynamic, and primarily remote team across time zones and cultures.

Salary and Benefits

Commensurate with experience. This position can be an employed or consulting role depending on the individual and level of experience.  

Reports to:     co-Executive Director

Location:    Remote, either in the US East Coast, Europe, or residing in the Africa Region without need for sponsorship

Travel:   10-15%

Deadline for applications: Open until filled