Plan International Job Vacancy — Head of Business Development
Job Overview
Plan International Job Vacancy — Head of Business Development
Head of Business Development
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Company: Plan International
The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.
Role Purpose
The Head of Business Development will lead and transform PIT’s resource mobilisation function to deliver suitable, diversity, and strategic income growth aligned to the Country Strategy.
Beyond traditional fundraising, the role will position PIT as a partner of choice in advancing children’s rights, gender equality, girls’ rights and youth empowerment, by:
Expanding institutional, corporate, and innovative financing streams
Strengthening strategic partnerships and consortium leadership
Driving competitive, high-quality proposal development
Embedding influencing, localisation, and systems change approaches
Ensuring financial sustainability in a shrinking and shifting donor landscape
The post holder will play a critical role in navigating declining traditional funding, increasing localisation agendas, and rising competition, while unlocking new funding models including private, climate finance, and blended finance opportunities.
Role Dimensions
Leads the Business Development Unit and oversees end-to end resource mobilisation
Accountable for ambitious annual and multi-year income targets
Drives portfolio diversification (institutional, corporates, foundations, innovative finance)
Oversees pipeline development, forecasting, and portfolio health
Leads donor positioning, external engagement and partnership
Ensures cost recovery, compliance and value-for money in funding
Works in a matrix structure across programmes, finance, influencing and global Plan Networks
Ensures the Partnership Strategy & processes are followed and review (when needed)
Role Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Master’s Degree in International Development, Business, Economics, Marketing or related field
Minimum 10 years’ experience in resource mobilisation/business development
Proven track record of securing large-scale institutional funding
Demonstrated success in leading teams and managing complex portfolios
Experience in private sector engagement and innovative financing is a strong advantage
Critical Business Management Competencies
Deep understanding of global and Tanzania funding landscapes
Strong financial acumen (budgeting, cost recovery, forecasting
Strong analytical and market intelligence skills
Good analytical skills as required to obtain and process information and numerical data from a range of sources and use the insights gained to inform decisions or communications.
Outstanding communication skills with an ability to deeply understand the starting position of an audience and produce compelling written and/or spoken communications that effectively influence others.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with an ability to relate effectively to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds; proven track record of leading collaborative working relationships and resolving conflicts between parties with differing interests.
Experience leveraging digital tools and data for business development.
Critical Technical Competencies
Demonstrated track experience in the areas of proposal development, grants management, resource mobilization, and/or donor contract management.
Excellent knowledge and understanding of international donor interests, priorities and requirements and proven successes in business development and proposal writing.
Familiarity with the landscape, priorities, and methodologies of private foundations and government donors
Experience of managing and influencing others within a matrix-managed context preferred; demonstrated expertise in influencing and persuading others to contribute towards proposal and donor-report writing
Location: Dar es Salaam
Reports to: Country Director
Grade: 17
Closing Date: 5th July, 2026
How to Apply
