Career Center

The purpose of this senior leadership role in IBLF is to initiate, develop and implement a programme that will enhance, promote and stimulate enterprise development in emerging and developing countries primarily through the core business activities of our corporate partners. Reporting to the Director of Programmes, this role involves leading a small team that is accountable for delivery of one of the three strategic aims of IBLF, namely social development through increased prosperity. The focus of this work is on developing Base of the Pyramid business models with partner companies, deepening the linkages between multi-national corporations and local supply and distribution chains and on optimizing skills development to address chronic under-employment particularly in young people.
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Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and provide overall programme direction for projects designed to advance prosperity by stimulating local enterprise development and developing employability skills, with responsibility for managing and developing staff and consultants (as required).
• Manage high-level strategic collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including funding partners, who support programme delivery.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities, adequate financial resources and key funding streams, working with IBLF colleagues to formulate/negotiate creative and successful funding proposals
• Ensure meaningful impact measurement systems are in place and results are reported, communicating internally and externally, implementing changes to programmes where necessary to secure maximum impact.
• Present strong business case to business leaders and other stakeholders to address business and development challenges that result in demonstrable changes to policy and practice.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of responsible business practices in the context of international development, with a particular subject focus on the impacts of business activities on economic growth and poverty alleviation.
• Identify opportunities to raise IBLF profile, representing the organisation at external functions, in the media on relevant issues and on national/international platforms.
• Participate in IBLF’s management team, and act as Engagement Manager for a number of IBLF Corporate Partners

Competencies (skills, experience and characteristics)
• Sound knowledge and understanding of role of business in stimulating economic growth and relevance to developing countries and emerging economies.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in a business environment, understanding of pressures and priorities and of the relevance of the development agenda to the business world.
• Ability to build projects by pulling together ideas and opportunities from different sources, to “sell” the project as a proposal to potential funding sources and then to deliver the project within agreed resource and timing commitments.
• Commitment to and experience of cross-sectoral partnerships and matrix working
• Highly effective negotiating and inter-personal skills, with ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people at different levels of seniority and from different cultures and backgrounds
• Experience of public speaking and presenting at conferences or similar events
• Ability to communicate succinctly and clearly in writing including in formal project reporting.
• Flexibility and ability to respond quickly and adequately to new sets of priorities and to deliver through and with the team
• Relevant professional qualification
• Able to travel as required to monitor and deliver programme

Desirable:
• Foreign language(s)
• Overseas work or volunteer experience

Please send CV and covering letter, outlining relevant skills and experience, to Gillian Gurne by 6th July 2009.