Head of Business Development

Job Overview

WaterAid Bangladesh is seeking an experienced leader for the position of Head of Business Development to drive fundraising, resource mobilisation, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships. The role will lead business development initiatives, secure sustainable funding opportunities, manage donor relationships, and strengthen WaterAid Bangladesh’s positioning among institutional, bilateral, multilateral, corporate, and strategic partners.

The position requires a senior professional with strong expertise in fundraising strategy, proposal development, donor management, grant administration, and leading high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Management

• Lead and strengthen WaterAid Bangladesh’s fundraising strategy to achieve sustainable growth and income diversification.
• Develop fundraising priorities and targets aligned with Country Programme strategy and organisational objectives.
• Build strategic donor partnerships and position WaterAid Bangladesh as a preferred development partner.
• Collaborate with WaterAid global and federation teams to maximize funding opportunities.

Business Development

• Identify strategic funding opportunities aligned with WASH priorities and organisational goals.
• Lead development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, and partnership agreements.
• Build partnerships with donors, INGOs, consortium partners, and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain donor intelligence, funding pipelines, and proposal tracking systems.
• Strengthen organisational capacity in business development and fundraising practices.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Establish annual fundraising targets and funding priorities based on programme requirements.
• Identify, track, and pursue institutional, bilateral, multilateral, corporate, and UN funding opportunities.
• Manage donor relationships and represent WaterAid Bangladesh in strategic engagements.
• Coordinate with regional and global teams for joint fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure effective use of fundraising systems and tools.

Grant Administration & Management

• Oversee restricted funding portfolios and ensure compliance with donor agreements.
• Monitor grant performance, budgets, reporting timelines, and key milestones.
• Work closely with Programme, Finance, PMER, and technical teams to manage grant delivery.
• Identify financial, operational, and contractual risks and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee grant setup, amendments, audits, reporting, and close-out processes.

Job Information

Company: WaterAid Bangladesh

Employment Type: Fixed Term | Full-Time (37.5 hours/week)

Function: Business Development / Fundraising

Job Location: WaterAid Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka

Salary: BDT 3,05,000/month (Flexible for deserving candidates with strong track record)

Educational Qualification

• Master’s degree in Social Science.
• Master’s degree in Development Studies.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration.
• Master’s degree in Finance.
• Master’s degree in Economics.
• Master’s degree in Management.
• Master’s degree in Marketing.
• Master’s degree in Relevant discipline.
• Advanced degree from a recognised overseas institution is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in reputed organisations, preferably INGOs.
• Proven experience leading fundraising teams and securing institutional, bilateral, multilateral, corporate, INGO, or UN funding.
• Strong track record in donor relationship management and grant acquisition.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Fundraising and resource mobilisation.
• Business development strategy.
• Donor mapping and stewardship.
• Proposal and grant development.
• Partnership building.
• Consortium management.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and networking abilities.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinking, planning, prioritisation, and decision-making capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Understanding of WASH sector, development programming, gender equality, safeguarding, and diversity and inclusion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM systems, donor management databases, and online fundraising platforms.

Benefits

• Festival Bonus.
• Provident Fund.
• Gratuity.
• Life Insurance.
• Health Insurance for self, spouse, and children.
• Mobile/Cell Phone Allowance.
• Additional benefits as per organisational policy.