Senior Business Development Officer

LOCATION: UK-based (Remote)

REPORTING TO:Business Development Manager

ROLE TYPE: Full-time, permanent

CLOSING DATE: 8th July 2025

ABOUT ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.
Learn more about our impact here:
Purpose of the Role

The Senior Business Development Officer plays a key role in supporting the Business Development Manager in identifying and securing new opportunities for ARK. The role involves tracking funding opportunities, conducting research into potential areas of delivery, supporting bid preparation, engaging with potential partners and consultants, and maintaining key business development trackers. This Officer plays a critical role in supporting ARK’s strategic growth into new markets, as well as supporting the effective development and use of corporate business development systems and processes.

The role involves working closely with internal teams, external partners, and donors to support ARK’s strategic positioning and ensure high-quality business development outputs.

What you\’ll be doing

1. Opportunity Tracking & Research

• Monitor donor portals, procurement websites, and funding announcements for new business opportunities, including in new markets.
• Conduct research into thematic areas and geographies relevant to ARK’s work.
• Analyse trends in donor priorities and market developments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date tracking of potential bid opportunities.

2. Bid Preparation & Coordination

• Assist in reviewing and compiling bid documents, proposals, and concept notes.
• Support the drafting of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs).
• Maintain a bid tracker to monitor submission timelines and deliverables.
• Conduct initial due diligence on potential partners and team members.
• Assist in preparing team coordination documents and bid review schedules.

3. Partner & Staff Identification

• Identify and engage with potential partner organisations for upcoming bids.
• Screen potential consultants and key personnel for roles within proposals.
• Conduct initial screening calls with partners and staff to assess fit and availability.
• Maintain an internal database of partners, consultants, and subject matter experts.

4. Internal Knowledge Management

• Keep business development databases, trackers, and knowledge repositories updated.
• Support the BD Manager in ensuring strong business development systems and processes are in place, and various internal team members supporting BD are aware of and implementing these processes.
• Maintaining records of past bid submissions and lessons learned.
• Assist in developing and maintaining ARK’s business intelligence tools and competitive analysis.

5. Market & Competitor Analysis

• Conduct research on competitor organisations and their recent business wins.
• Provide insights into competitive positioning for ARK’s bids.
• Maintain intelligence on donor priorities and funding trends.

6. General Business Development Support

• Assist in the preparation of briefing notes, presentations, and internal reports.
• Support the BD Manager in organising and attending relevant networking events and industry briefings.
• Contribute to ARK’s business development strategy by identifying areas for growth and innovation.

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, development studies, or a related field.
• Strong research and analytical skills with experience in business development, bid coordination, or market research.
• Knowledge of the international development, stabilisation, or conflict, governance sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CRM tools.
• Ideally 7-10 years of experience with the procurement and tendering processes in the development sector.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.
• Training or certification in business development, proposal writing, or donor engagement.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects (e.g., FCDO, UN, EU, World Bank) with experience in Europe strongly preferred.
• Fluency in an additional language (Arabic, German, French, Spanish).

Why join ARK?

• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.
• Career Growth: Expand your horizons with varied projects and challenges.

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organizations, journalism and the private sector.

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognize out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions, and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the center of its development and stabilization work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.

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