SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Job Title

SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled firmly.

Equality is the common thread in our work, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who is interested in applying. Our aim is to create an environment where colleagues feel welcome, and diversity is embraced and celebrated.

Our aim is to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

Job description

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:

TEAM PURPOSE: to contribute to the development and implementation of resource mobilization strategies to establish strategic partnerships between Oxfam and institutional donors to identify and develop new funding opportunities and overall compliance and grant management

JOB PURPOSE: The Senior Business Development Officer leads on the development and submission of high-quality concept notes and proposals/budgets with program teams. This will include Calls for Proposals, as well as proactive development of concept notes. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring proper internal processes are followed, including sign off procedures. S/he shall ensure programme and support teams are fully informed of relevant regulations and Oxfam procedures, including supporting the grants management team to ensure full compliance with donor and Oxfam requirements, strong internal systems, proactive risk management, and high-quality reporting. The postholder will also manage contract negotiations and oversee contracts with donors and Oxfam affiliates, coordinate donor and other external communications, and lead grant/proposal revisions. The postholder will lead donor engagement and communications for designated institutional donors.

Key responsibilities  (Technical, Leadership, People and Resource management)

1. New Business Development and Donor Engagement

• Lead the identification, development, and submission of high-quality funding proposals, including tracking donor priorities, requirements, and submission timelines.
• Proactively drive the opportunity pipeline, initiating internal discussions on funding opportunities, leading bid/no-bid decisions, and coordinating the bid planning process.
• Lead donor engagement efforts for business development purposes, including relationship-building, donor mapping, representation in meetings, and participation in field visits where relevant.
• Serve as primary focal point for selected donors during the pre-award phase, ensuring strategic positioning of Oxfam and alignment with donor priorities.
• Coordinate and lead proposal development processes across Program, Finance, and partners, ensuring strong technical design, clear results frameworks, and competitive positioning.
• Take primary responsibility for proposal writing in coordination with program lead, editing, and quality assurance, ensuring submissions meet donor and Oxfam standards.
• Ensure proposals are designed in a participatory, inclusive, and gender-sensitive manner, and that these approaches are clearly articulated.
• Facilitate collaboration with partners, affiliates, and other stakeholders to develop joint proposals.

2. Pre-Award Compliance, Risk, and Transition to Grants Management

• Work in close collaboration with the Grants and Compliance Coordinator to ensure early integration of compliance, contractual, and risk considerations during proposal design.
• Ensure that all proposals undergo compliance review prior to submission, including donor eligibility, budget alignment, and key contractual risks.
• Lead on proposal revision and amendment processes during the pre-award stage, ensuring proper documentation and version control.
• Support initial contract negotiation processes in coordination with the Grants and Compliance Coordinator, particularly on programmatic and design elements.
• Ensure a structured and documented handover of awarded grants to the Grants Management Unit, including: Approved proposal and budget, Donor requirements and risks, Key commitments and assumptions
• Maintain alignment between proposal commitments and donor expectations to support smooth transition into implementation.

3. Collaboration with Grants Management Unit (Post-Award Interface)

• Transition primary responsibility for donor compliance, reporting, and contract management to the Grants and Compliance Coordinator upon award.
• Provide targeted support to the Grants Management Unit on:
• Clarifications related to proposal design and donor expectations
• Donor communications linked to original proposal intent
• Lead on amendments that require programmatic redesign or donor negotiation
• Contribute to donor reporting quality assurance selectively, focusing on consistency with proposal commitments and positioning for future funding (not leading compliance checks).
• Collaborate with the Grants and Compliance Coordinator to identify follow-on funding opportunities, and extensions.

4. Systems, Pipeline Management, and Knowledge Management

• Maintain and regularly update the business development pipeline, ensuring visibility of upcoming opportunities, proposal status, and strategic priorities.
• Ensure all proposal-related documentation is properly stored, structured, and accessible for organizational use.
• Work with the Grants Management Unit to ensure accurate reflection of proposal data in internal systems (e.g., SAP, OPP), particularly at award stage.
• Capture and share lessons learned from proposal processes, including donor feedback and competitiveness analysis.

5. Internal Coordination and Strategic Contribution

• Work closely with Program, Finance, and senior management to align funding opportunities with country strategy and program priorities.
• Provide strategic input into resource mobilization planning and donor targeting.
• Actively contribute to strengthening business development processes, tools, and ways of working within the unit.
• Represent the Business Development Unit internally and externally as required.

General Other Responsibilities

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values (click here) as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights (click here). 
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

CORE DIMENSIONS

• Leads and coordinates the development of a strong and strategic funding pipeline, driving high-quality proposal design and submission across multiple donors and thematic areas.
• Exercises sound judgment in managing competing business development priorities, donor expectations, and opportunity risks within a complex and fragile context.
• Synthesizes information from internal and external sources, including donor intelligence, programmatic priorities, and contextual analysis, to inform strategic positioning and proposal development.
• Influences the quality and competitiveness of funding proposals by ensuring alignment with donor requirements, Oxfam standards, and programmatic priorities, in close collaboration with Program, Finance, and the Grants Management Unit.
• Communicates complex programmatic, strategic, and donor-related information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior management, partners, and donors.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships internally and externally to strengthen donor engagement, partnership development, and resource mobilization outcomes.

Who are we looking for?

Essential Competencies

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Essential Technical Competencies

• 4+ years of progressive experience in business development, proposal development, and donor engagement, with at least 2+ years in an international NGO in a similar role. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading the development and submission of successful funding proposals to institutional donors (humanitarian and/or development).
• Strong knowledge of donor priorities, funding mechanisms, and requirements (e.g., UN agencies, EU, OCHA pooled funds, and other institutional donors).
• Proven hands-on experience in submitting proposals through donor online platforms and systems (e.g., UN Partner Portals, OCHA Grant Management System, EU portals), ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with submission requirements.
• Strong proposal writing, editing, and coordination skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, competitive, and donor-compliant submissions under tight deadlines.
• Experience in coordinating multi-departmental inputs (Program, Finance, MEAL, partners) into coherent and strategically positioned proposals.
• Good understanding of donor compliance, budgeting principles, and contractual requirements, with the ability to integrate these considerations during proposal development in collaboration with grants management colleagues.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to analyze donor trends, identify opportunities, and position proposals competitively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple proposals and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (particularly Word and Excel); familiarity with internal systems (e.g., SAP, OPP) is an asset.
• Sound understanding of NGO programming and humanitarian/development contexts.

Desirable Technical Competencies.

• Knowledge or experience of Oxfam’s program work;
• Knowledge and awareness of issues related to Oxfam’s strategic objectives and theories of change;
• Strong proven ability to identify and articulate strategic and policy issues through effective oral and written briefs

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Working at Oxfam Novib

• All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality. (read more about these here)
• At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.
• Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices. The contract duration for this position is 12 months, (including a 3-months trial period), with the possibility to extend based on the need and budget availability.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a transportation allowance and yearly pay increase based on our policies.
• The salary range for this position is set in scale D1 with a salary range starting from 10,578.67  ILS  gross depending on experience, based on 40 hours a week (full time).

Additional information

• Do you believe that this is the job you are looking for? Then we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal.
• Only applications received before the closing date (9 Apr 2026) and submitted via our application portal will be considered.
• This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates -locals only who are based in the WB - with priority given to internal applicants who are qualified or can develop quickly. We encourage growth and opportunities within our organization while warmly welcoming new talent with fresh ideas and expertise!
• Oxfam Novib seeks talented individuals who share our values and commitment to preventing misconduct. We maintain a strict policy against all forms of abuse, exploitation, power abuse, and financial misconduct, which is also integrated into our recruitment process. As part of a job offer, we request valid references, and candidates may undergo integrity screenings, including criminal record and background checks.
• Oxfam Novib reserves the right, to its sole discretion, not to make agreements regarding this job opening, make an agreement at a lower level, or make an agreement with an amended job description.
• Due to the urgency to fill this role, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Kindly note that the position might be filled before the vacancy announcement is closed; therefore, early applications are encouraged.