World Bicycle Relief
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – MALAWI
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Position Status: Full-time
Salary Level: C3
About Us
World Bicycle Relief empowers communities in rural regions around the world to thrive with life-changing bicycles. We envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, health services, and economic opportunity. A catalyst for change, World Bicycle Relief helps people in need realize their goals by providing a tool that will support them to access these critical services. Equipped with a purpose-designed Buffalo Bicycle from World Bicycle Relief, students, health workers and entrepreneurs in low-income regions create opportunities for themselves, their families, and entire communities.
We are a mission-driven, global not-for-profit that manages a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through final distribution. World Bicycle Relief uses an innovative business model to create sustainable bicycle ecosystems. Through World Bicycle Relief’s 501(c)3, we provide transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, and through Buffalo Bicycle Limited, we sell the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts.
Buffalo Bicycle Limited also offers users repair and maintenance services via trained local mechanics and a retail network of more than 100 shops. WBR has distributed more than 785,331 fit-for-purpose bicycles and trained 3,388 community-based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; dairy farmers earn 23% more income; and health workers reach 88% more patients.
Purpose of the Position
The Business Development Officer is expected to grow sales, develop sales initiatives, and establish and maintain organizational engagements in coordination with Country Director. To plan, coordinate, implement and manage new business development and sales programs in line with the organization’s strategic objectives and targets.
The Business Development Officer role will play a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of Buffalo Bicycles Malawi Ltd. The role will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, cultivating relationships with potential clients/customers (government, NGOs and development partners, civil society and private sector entities), and developing strategies and promotional activities to expand our market presence and grow the Buffalo Bicycle brand. This position requires a combination of strategic thinking, sales expertise, and excellent communication skills to effectively promote Buffalo Bicycle products/services and achieve business objectives in a competitive and crowded market place.
Responsibilities
Attainment of Business Sales Targets (Social enterprise retail and organizational sales of bicycles and spare parts) with a monthly sales target through assigned customer accounts (government, NGOs and development partners, civil society and private sector entities). Business Sales Targets will however be revised upwards from time to time to reflect future Buffalo Bicycle Malawi Ltd. direction, opportunities and objectives.
Planning and overseeing new market initiatives.
- Conduct market research and build networks to identify potential new opportunities and or client/customer segments across the target markets of government, NGOs and development partners, civil society, and private sector entities.
- Working closely with the Sales and Marketing team develop strategies to identify and enter new markets or expand existing ones. Markets to explore include government, NGOs and development partners, civil society and private sector entities.
- Coordinate with relevant teams to implement new business and marketing initiatives. Oversee the development of marketing materals including fact sheets, presentations and promotional posters Consistently search and analyze relevant platforms where tenders, RFQs and other procurement and development sector RFPs are posted or advertised (e.g. News papers, websites, govt e-procurement portals etc.)
- Prepare and submit in coordination with country leadership and global support teams complete proposals to requests for quotations (RFQ’s), tenders and other requests for Buffalo Bicycle products and prices.
- Support the After Sales Officer and WBR program team with the development of complete concept notes and proposals in response to requests from NGOs and other development partners.
Develop and manage a retention strategy for existing clients/customers (government, NGOs and development partners, civil society and private sector entities).
- Analyze client/customer feedback and behavior to identify areas for improvement.
- Develop retention programs or initiatives to enhance client/customer loyalty.
- Monitor client/customer retention metrics and adjust engagement and retention strategies as needed.
Develop action plans (Weekly and Quarterly)
- Produce timely reports on activities, progress and achievements, competitor activities and formulating business development strategies under guidance of Country Director for execution
- Create detailed action plans outlining tasks and milestones leading to retention and engagement of new clients/customers.
- Collaborate with the After Sales Officer and Country Director to align country level business development strategies and priorities.
Client/Customer Databaso management for decision making.
- Maintain an up-to-date client/customer database with relevant information.
- Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and optimize resources on strategies to drive social enterprise retail and organizational sales.
- Attend to any other duties, related to the role that may be assigned
Requirements
- Commercial acumen and leadership skills
- Bachelor’s Degree in a Business-related field. MBA shall be an added advantage.
- 5 years of experience in marketing, sales and business development. Added advantage experience in the development sector working with NGOs, foundations or CSR department of private sector company.
- Ability to juggle several competing priorities from different clients/customers at the same time.
- Excellent communication and networking skills, to build and maintain contact networks across a broad range of clients/customers (government, NGOs and development partners, civil society and private sector entities)
- Attention to detail and deep analytical mind-set.
- Excellent customer service
- Excellent planning, good coordination and facilitation skills
- Effective communication skills
- Good people management and interpersonal skills, ability to innovate and reengineer processes.
Travel Required: May require 15% to 25% travel.
Work Locations
This role is be based in Lilongwe, Malawi,
Works in close coordination with: After Sales Officer, Country Director and the Sales and Marketing Teams
Reports to: Country Director, Buffalo Bicycles Malawi Ltd.
Applications must be sent to the following email address: recruitmentmalawi@worldbicyclerelief.org