Position:  Business Development Manager 

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer 

Budget responsibility: none; inputs to new budget

Line management: Grants Coordinator(s) (1-3 staff)

Duty Station: The Hague, Netherlands

Travel: Limited

Duration and contract type: 12 months, renewable, Nathaional 100%

Starting Date:  01.01.2025

Who we are 

ACAPS is an independent analysis provider. We are an independent analytical voice helping humanitarian workers, influencers, fundraisers, and donors make better-informed decisions and respond more effectively to disasters.

What we do 

We inform crisis response: We aim towards reshaping the humanitarian narrative by providing timely and independent needs analysis, data, training, and methodological tools while advocating for a more evidence-based response to crises.

We collaborate with honesty and creativity: ACAPS maximises synergies with humanitarian responders, specialised analytical organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society and encourages them to implement a collaborative approach.

As humanitarian needs continue to rise steeply, there is an increasing parallel demand in the sector for high-quality, independent analysis to guide resource prioritisation and programmatic responses. ACAPS is uniquely positioned in the humanitarian architecture to respond to these challenges, operating as a global public good to the humanitarian sector by providing independent, multi-sectoral analysis to enable humanitarian stakeholders to better understand and address the needs of crisis affected populations across the globe.

ACAPS is currently at an exciting stage of its growth trajectory, with a fast-expanding decentralised global team. Due to an increased awareness of ACAPS value add to the humanitarian sector, ACAPS conducts analysis on crises in Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen with team members working within many of these countries. This is in addition to multiple global teams providing analysis spanning over 150 countries and 100 active crises worldwide. ACAPS donor portfolio is also expanding, with current active funding from key institutional donors such as BHA, FCDO, SDC, GFFO, GAC, SDC, NMFA and others.

The growing number of active projects and the complexity of securing continued, flexible funding necessitates a dedicated business development focal point to ensure the continued financial stability and growth of the project as well as develop and expand new partnerships within ACAPS.

Initially hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council, ACAPS is transitioning to an independent entity, registered in The Hague, Netherlands. The transition will be completed by December 2025. 

Purpose of the position

In response to ACAPS recent team and portfolio expansion, and to support the transition towards independence, ACAPS is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Business Development Manager to manage the current portfolio of grants and further develop donor opportunities.

The business development manager will work closely with the programmes team to support global teams and hubs to build and expand new partnerships and funding opportunities, as well as contribute to ensure best MEAL practice are embedded into new proposals and across existing projects. This role will also provide management support and guidance to Grants Coordinator(s), who will be the main focal point for donor reporting and grants compliance. Ultimately, the business development manager will be instrumental in communicating essential updates and providing reassurance during the transition process with ACAPS’ existing donors.

ACAPS values

ACAPS is a dynamic and independent organisation. We share and strive to maintain the values of agency, candour, integrity, diversity, evolution, ambition, and collaboration in everything we do. The post holder is expected to develop the position in line with these values. The ACAPS values live in the way we manage our teams, create our content and engage with stakeholders.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

Role and responsibilities Funding Strategy (10%)

• Research and stay updated on donor trends and priorities including keeping an overview of potential funding opportunities for ACAPS
• Lead on ACAPS’ overall funding strategy, based on a growing and diversified set of key

donors

• Provide guidance and support to Grants Coordinator(s) to monitor and scan for new funding opportunities including advertised bids

Donor and partnership engagement (40%)

• Lead on the development of ACAPS donor engagement strategy, guiding potential new institutional partnerships.
• Provide strategic direction and support hubs with new funding and partnership opportunities to ensure consistency in approach. This includes the development of thematic donor priorities e.g. climate change, anticipatory analysis/action, and protection.
• Act as initial focal point for new partnership enquiries made to ACAPS and support the COO to explore external opportunities to expand partnership base.
• Develop global overview of current partnerships across ACAPS and collate learning/best practices for future reference
• Represents ACAPS at external networking and business development events, with specific focus in the Netherlands to improve positioning, brand awareness and to foster long-term collaboration.
• Acts as donor liaison point for existing donors, mapping a timeline for key changes and providing information and reassurance throughout the change process.
• Provide guidance to the Grants Coordinator(s) for donor communications related to contractual, budget or grant administrative issues, including leading negotiations around project amendments.

Programme development (40%)

• Coordinate the ACAPS programme development approach, from concept to contract including input into strategic design of new project approaches.
• Lead the proposal development and programme revision process, overseeing quality assurance of the programme design, including log frames and budgets, adhering to donor policies and securing required internal approvals.
• Lead negotiations with partner organizations in the development of joint proposals, providing support to Grants Coordinator(s) for technical review of contractual terms and consortium/subgrant agreements.
• Provide regular, tailored capacity support to hubs and global teams on partnership and funding issues, ensuring a sustainable donor base is maintained.
• Support in the scoping and development of new hubs/projects, in collaboration with Rapid Response Manager

Line management (5%)

• Supervise and support a team of Grant Coordinators (maximum 3 staff members), based in various countries.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

MEAL (5%)

• Provide guidance to the Grants Coordinator(s) to ensure that an effective reporting system enabling measurement of progress at output and outcome levels is in place for all new projects.
• Support the Grants Coordinator(s) to streamline donor MEAL processes to ensure indicators are consistently tracked across all existing projects.

Critical interfaces

• Closely coordinates, collaborates and supports the ACAPS Finance Unit, Senior Management Team, Team Leaders, Communications Unit, Cross-cutting teams, Rapid Response Programme Manager;
• Works closely with the NRC Institutional Partnerships Unit, institutional donors, partner organisations;
• Work closely with various ACAPS departments to ensure MEAL components within proposals are respected and met.

Competencies Professional Competencies

Generic professional competencies

• University degree or equivalent qualification, preferably at master degree level
• Minimum 5 year of work experience from a humanitarian/development organisation and/or from a donor administration, either at Head Office/capital or field/embassy level
• Knowledge of Project Cycle Management, especially of the logical framework approach
• A conscientious and structured person with strong planning skills, including computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, and preferably also Agresso)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and service mindedness
• Fluency in English: excellent written skills are required.

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Prior experience with the following donors is essential: BHA, Dutch MFA, NMFA, Norad, Sida, ECHO, FCDO, DFATD, Danida, AusAID, GFFO, or large international foundations, and philantropic organisations; experience with other donors is an advantage.

Behavioural Competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Strategic and analytical
• Handling insecure environments
• Managing performance and development
• Coping with change
• Empowering and building trust
• Communicating with impact and respect