Business Development, Partnership & External Engagement, Director

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Job Description:

Purpose

The Director of Business Development, Partnership & External Engagement Director provide strategic leadership to position World Vision as Ghana's premier Thought Leader and the preferred partner for institutional and private sector funding. The Director will transition the organisation from a transactional acquisition model to a strategic, influence-driven growth model by integrating: Market intelligence, Strategic partnerships, Policy influence Brand positioning and High-quality grant acquisition and management. The role ensures alignment between institutional messaging, advocacy priorities, donor engagement, and programme delivery. The Director will also oversee an integrated portfolio spanning business development including resource mobilization, social enterprises, external communications and marketing, public advocacy and influencing — ensuring that World Vision Ghana's visibility, credibility, and funding pipeline are strengthened in a coordinated and high-impact manner. This role is pivotal in driving World Vision Ghana's long-term financial sustainability and public influence across Ghana and the broader sub-region.

Key Responsibilities

A. Leadership, Directorate Management & Representation

• Build and sustain a high-performing, results-oriented departmental team through effective people management, mentoring, and performance oversight while providing vision and strategic direction for the department.
• Represent the department at Senior Leadership Team (SLT) level, contributing to organizational decision-making, planning, and accountability

• Establish clear KPIs across business development, communications, advocacy, and grants acquisition and management.

• Advise the National Director and Board on external trends, funding risks, and growth opportunities and strategic updates, and donor briefings.

• Contribute to corporate strategy, annual planning, and performance review processes

B. Resource Mobilization and Grants Oversight

• Lead the design and execution of a proactive resource mobilization strategy to grow and diversify WVG's funding base across bilateral, multilateral, foundation, diaspora, and private sector donors
• Oversee concept development, capture planning, and competitive bidding strategies.
• Oversee the full grants management cycle — from opportunity identification and proposal development to donor reporting and relationship management
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with existing and prospective donors, positioning WVG as the partner of choice in Ghana
• Monitor funding trends, donor priorities, and the competitive landscape to inform timely and responsive funding strategies

C. Business Development and External Engagement

• Champion blended funding and diversification of WVG's revenue base by identifying and developing new income streams including corporate partnerships, social enterprise models, government contracts or commercial contracts, and fee-for-service arrangements
• Represent WVG in high-level external forums, conferences, donor consultations, and government engagements
• Lead negotiations and formalization of partnership agreements, MOUs, and collaborative frameworks
• Position WVG for consortium leadership and strategic partnerships and represent the organisation at high-level forums, donor engagements, and strategic platforms.

D. Communications, Marketing and Public Engagement

• Oversee development and consistent implementation of a comprehensive organizational communications and marketing strategy across all platforms — digital, print, and broadcast to donors, partners, government, and the public
• Drive WVG’s public visibility through strategic media engagement, thought leadership publications, and flagship events
• Lead crisis communication planning and reputation risk management.

E. Advocacy, Thought Leadership and Public Influence

• Lead development and execution of WVG's advocacy strategy, ensuring it is evidence-based and aligned with national development priorities in Ghana
• Position the organization as a credible and authoritative voice on priority development issues especially for children, engaging with government, civil society, academia, and the media
• Oversee the building and management of strategic coalitions and networks that amplify advocacy impact at national and regional levels

F. Grants management & Compliance Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of grants management systems and compliance.
• Oversee quality assurance of proposals, budgets, and technical submissions.
• Oversee donor reporting quality and timeliness and donor retention
• Oversee grant performance to support donor retention and expansion opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Master's degree in International Development, Development Management, Communications, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 12 years' progressive experience in business development, communications, advocacy, communications, or institutional growth in an international NGO, including at least 8 years in a senior management role
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Based in Ghana with regular national and occasional international travel required
• Flexibility in working hours to accommodate donor time zones, high-level events, and organizational deadlines
• This role may involve working extended periods outdoors in remote environments.
• Strong understanding of Ghana’s development financing and policy landscape.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams at senior level
• Demonstrated track record of securing significant grants from bilateral, multilateral, and private donors (e.g. GIZ/BMZ, GAC, FCDO, EU, Foundations)
• Experience with social enterprise development
• Proven expertise in strategic communications, brand management, media engagement, and digital content strategy
• Demonstrated experience leading advocacy campaigns and engaging government, civil society, and media at national level
• Excellent written and spoken English

Applicant Types Accepted: