CAFOD Senior Business Development Lead (Africa): A Major Opportunity for Experienced Development Professionals|Deadline 31 Aug 2026
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is inviting applications for a Senior Business Development Lead (Africa) to support its ambitious institutional fundraising and programme development work across Africa. This is a permanent, full-time position with opportunities to be based in Harare, Zimbabwe; Abuja, Nigeria; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; or Nairobi, Kenya.
The role is particularly relevant for experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in international development, humanitarian programming, donor relations, institutional fundraising, proposal development and programme management.
Senior Business Development Lead Opportunity
The Senior Business Development Lead will join CAFOD’s Integrated Funding & Business Innovation Unit and work closely with programme, finance, fundraising and technical teams.
The successful candidate will help CAFOD and its partners develop high-quality programmes capable of attracting institutional donor funding while strengthening relationships with major donors and identifying new funding opportunities.
The position will also contribute to large and complex multi-country programmes, including initiatives involving systems development and institutional strengthening.
Applications close on 31 August 2026, making this a time-sensitive opportunity for qualified professionals.
Where Can You Work?
The position is available in four African locations:
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Nairobi, Kenya
Importantly, CAFOD states that this is a national post, meaning applicants must already have the right to work in one of these four locations.
The advertised starting salaries are:
- Zimbabwe: USD 55,706
- Kinshasa: USD 52,141
- Nairobi: KES 7,621,509
- Abuja: NGN 32,760,664
This makes the Harare position particularly notable for suitably qualified professionals already based in Zimbabwe.
What Will the Successful Candidate Do?
A major part of the position involves donor engagement, proposal development and contract management.
The Senior Business Development Lead will support or lead major funding opportunities, including single-country and multi-country proposals. They will contribute to programme design, provide donor-specific advice and coordinate internal teams to improve the quality and competitiveness of funding applications.
The role will also involve managing relationships with important institutional donors. The successful candidate is expected to develop donor engagement strategies, monitor funding trends and represent CAFOD with priority donors.
One potential donor portfolio specifically mentioned is the African Development Bank, alongside other donors such as governments, UN agencies, the European Union and humanitarian funding mechanisms.
The position also includes contract management responsibilities for high-value or high-risk projects, including financial and narrative reporting, evaluations, compliance and coordination with finance and operations teams.
Business Development and Innovation
Beyond proposal writing, the role has a strong focus on identifying new funding opportunities.
The successful candidate will research potential donors, develop funding pipelines and identify innovative financing opportunities that can support CAFOD’s programmes.
They will also contribute to organisational learning by sharing donor intelligence and emerging trends with programme and funding colleagues.
Another important responsibility is strengthening the fundraising capacity of CAFOD teams and partners. This may include supporting colleagues with proposal writing, programme development, monitoring and evaluation, theories of change and project cycle management.
Who Should Apply?
This is a senior-level position and is best suited to professionals with substantial experience in institutional fundraising and international development.
CAFOD is looking for candidates with a strong track record of developing successful proposals and reports for institutional donors. Experience securing large, seven-figure contracts is specifically required.
Candidates should also have experience with:
- Humanitarian, development and peacebuilding programmes
- Multi-country proposal development
- Donor engagement and representation
- Project and process management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Large consortium coordination
- Contract management
- Fundraising strategies
- Donor engagement plans
- Market systems development and value chains
- Capacity building
- Multilateral development banks
- Working across organisational teams and countries
Experience with partnership-based development and humanitarian programmes is desirable, as is proficiency in French.
Experience with blended finance, institutional strengthening, policy reform, and engagement with public, private or philanthropic partners would also be advantageous.
Safeguarding and Organisational Values
CAFOD places significant emphasis on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Successful applicants will be expected to comply with CAFOD’s safeguarding policies and Code of Behaviour. Recruitment may include appropriate background, reference and other screening checks.
CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding and preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the CAFOD recruitment website. The organisation states that only applications made through its website will be accepted.
The deadline is 31 August 2026.
For professionals in Africa with extensive experience in donor-funded development programmes, institutional fundraising and multi-country project development, this position represents a strong opportunity to work with a major international development organisation while contributing to programmes across the continent.
Application: CAFOD Senior Business Development Lead – Africa
Deadline: 31 August 2026
