Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a highly experienced Business Development Specialist II to support institutional funding efforts across East and Southern Africa (ESARO). This remote-based role is open to candidates located in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, or within three hours of East Africa Time (GMT+3). The position plays a critical role in leading high-quality funding applications and providing surge support for strategic opportunities with institutional donors engaged in international development. Role Summary The Business Development Specialist II leads and supports the full Business Development (BD) cycle, including positioning, capture planning, proposal development, and donor engagement. As part of CRS’ global Institutional Funding Team, the role strengthens CRS’ competitive positioning and ensures proposals are compliant, compelling, and strategically aligned. The specialist works cross-functionally with country, regional, and global teams to secure funding that advances CRS’ mission to serve poor and vulnerable communities. Core Responsibilities Strategic Positioning & Capture Provide BD expertise to country leadership and technical teams Guide opportunity analysis and lead go/no-go decisions Develop capture strategies aligned with donor priorities Support donor mapping and market intelligence analysis Advise on CRS’ positioning in consortia and partnership negotiations Proposal Development & Coordination Serve as proposal coordinator on priority opportunities Lead or support technical and non-technical writing Integrate partner and staff inputs into cohesive, donor-responsive proposals Guide project design processes across regional and global teams Strengthen design quality through evidence-based strategies and cross-cutting integration (MEAL, partnerships, gender, climate) Support or lead proposal budget development The role ensures submissions meet donor regulations, technical standards, and cost requirements while presenting a compelling vision and win themes. Donor Engagement & Resource Mobilization Liaise with senior management and donor focal points Support development of resource mobilization strategies by region, sector, or donor Cultivate relationships with government, multilateral, foundation, and corporate donors Enhance CRS’ competitive position within institutional funding markets Preferred donor familiarity includes: The World Bank The EU The UK’s FCDO The U.S. Government Foundations and corporate donors Systems Strengthening & Capacity Building Develop and refine CRS BD tools and best-practice guidance Train and mentor staff on proposal development and donor representation Maintain past performance data and corporate capacity information Contribute to the Business Development and Donor Engagement Community of Practice Support knowledge management systems and strategic initiatives Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or related field Minimum eight years of international development experience Fluency in English Willingness to travel up to 35% Preferred Master’s degree in a related field At least three years’ experience in a developing country Demonstrated success leading competitive proposals Experience with both grants and contracts Knowledge of adult learning methodologies Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching principles Working proficiency in French, Arabic, or Portuguese Knowledge & Skills The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strategic and analytical thinking Deep knowledge of institutional donor regulations and compliance Strong negotiation and relationship management skills Exceptional writing ability with mastery of English grammar and AP style Cross-cultural collaboration skills Experience providing remote technical support Proficiency in MS Office, information management systems, and AI tools Organizational Competencies CRS values professionals who: Act with integrity and accountability Build trust through consistency and transparency Collaborate effectively in diverse teams Demonstrate openness to learning and innovation Contribute to organizational strategy and change Work Environment & Eligibility Remote-based within eligible countries Travel required up to 35% No supervisory responsibilities Offers contingent upon legal work authorization Medical clearance required for roles involving international travel CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of countries where CRS operates. About Catholic Relief Services Founded by the Catholic community in the United States, Catholic Relief Services operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization delivers humanitarian assistance and development programming in emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and maintains strict adherence to ethical standards and a comprehensive Code of Conduct. Commitment to Equity & Safeguarding CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, gender, or other protected characteristics. All staff must adhere to safeguarding principles and uphold the dignity and protection of program participants and communities. Application Details Job Identification: 3002332 Category: Resource Mobilization Posting Date: February 4, 2026 Application Deadline: March 5, 2026 Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree Work Shift: Day This role presents an opportunity for experienced business development professionals to shape institutional funding strategies that support sustainable, high-impact programming across East and Southern Africa. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization hiring a Development Specialist. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.