Business Development Analyst – Full time 

About ESPartners 

Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESPartners) is a company which aims at enabling innovative,  scalable, and profitable enterprises to build prosperity. Created in 2010 in Washington DC, ESPartners’  mission is to “Provide entrepreneurs in Africa with the keys to sustainable success.” 

ESPartners supports people, companies, institutions, and nations in articulating, implementing and  disseminating solutions to their economic challenges, and in facilitating private sector development and  supporting MSMEs across Africa. ESPartners has worked with multiple clients: entrepreneurs, MSMEs,  governments, and development partners, including the World Bank Group / IFC, Mastercard  Foundation, the African Development Bank. 

Our firm operates across the African continent through two regional offices: in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,  covering West and Central Africa, and in Kigali, Rwanda, for East and Southern Africa operations. 

At ESPartners, we believe in people. We live by the idea of constantly delivering services at the cutting  edge of business practices, but also, of bringing into our team, the most talented, adaptable, qualified,  driven and diverse people available. 

ESPartners’ approach is to provide « Intelligent CapitalTM », meaning the right combination of insights  and capital, to address critical societal issues, by providing advisory services and solutions to diverse  clients, via two practice areas, and to deliver on varied aspects of our mission: 

• SCALE – It facilitates the passage of entrepreneurs to scale throughout structured processes, combining support at any stage of maturity (ideation, incubation and acceleration), and access to financing solutions (debts, grants and equity). 
• INSIGHTS – Consulting services aimed at creating and implementing innovative solutions for sustainable development through the competitiveness of value chains, business strategies, leadership and change mentality. 

ESPartners has four core values expressed via P.A.C.E.: Passion, Agility, Collaboration and Equity.

About ESPartners’ Growth and Partnerships team 

Our Growth and Partnerships (G&P) team is responsible for driving the firm’s growth, leading on  opportunities identification and proposals preparation drawing on inputs from our senior leadership and  practice leads teams, as well as ESPartners’ proprietary methodologies. The team is responsible for  developing clients and partners’ relations. We also work closely with network partners – seasoned  experts in creative and cultural industries, regenerative and circular economies, carbon trading or green  investment vehicles, etc. 

In line with its targets, the G&P team aims to secure programs (multi-year, multi-million and recurring  initiatives) and projects (smaller, shorter engagements), mainly across West, East and Central Africa. 

ESPartners’ G&P team is also in charge of the firm’s corporate communication, both internal and external, and of the communication about the programs and projects. 

We are excited to put together the G&P team by bringing together talents from around the world,  animated by the vision of “A prosperous Africa for all, thanks to its entrepreneurs”, and embodying our  values with our clients, partners, consultants, entrepreneurs and colleagues. 

Position overview 

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Business Development Analyst to join our G&P team in  Abidjan. This role is essential in supporting ESPartners’ business expansion efforts through research,  analysis, and operational excellence. The successful candidate will work closely with senior  management to identify opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and maintain critical business  development infrastructure. 

Keys roles & responsibilities 

Pitch and Proposal Development 

• Support the development of comprehensive technical and financial proposals for client engagements
• Conduct research and gather relevant information to strengthen proposal content
• Assist in writing and editing proposal sections, ensuring clarity and alignment with client requirements
• Coordinate with internal teams to collect inputs and technical specifications
• Prepare presentation materials and supporting documentation for client pitches
• Maintain proposal templates, formats, and standard content libraries

Market Opportunities Research and Analysis 

• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify new business opportunities across target sectors
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities in African markets
• Prepare detailed market intelligence reports and opportunity assessments
• Monitor funding announcements from development partners and donor organizations
• Track procurement opportunities from governments and international organizations
• Develop sector-specific insights and opportunity briefs for senior management

Database and Tools Management 

• Maintain and update the lead and opportunities pipeline database with accurate, current information
• Manage experts / consultants database including CVs, bios, technical expertise, and availability
• Ensure data quality and consistency across all business development systems
• Develop and maintain tracking tools for proposal submissions and client interactions
• Create and update opportunity matrices and pipeline reports
• Support CRM system administration and data management protocols

Research and Intelligence Support

• Conduct due diligence research on potential clients and partners
• Prepare client profiles and stakeholder mapping documents
• Monitor industry publications, news, and policy developments
• Support competitive analysis and benchmarking studies
• Assist in preparation of thought leadership content and market insights

Administrative and Coordination Support 

• Coordinate with internal teams for proposal development timelines and deliverables
• Support event planning and logistics for client meetings and business development activities
• Maintain filing systems and documentation for all business development activities
• Assist in preparing briefing materials for senior management meetings
• Support follow-up activities with prospects and existing clients

Key Performance Indicators 

• Quality and timeliness of proposal development support
• Accuracy and comprehensiveness of market research and analysis
• Database maintenance and data quality metrics
• Number of opportunities identified and tracked
• Response time for research requests and information retrieval

Qualifications 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, or related field
• 2-4 years of experience in research, analysis, business development, or consulting
• Experience with proposal writing and business development support preferred
• Knowledge of African markets and private sector development advantageous

Technical Skills 

• Strong research and analytical capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• AI proficiency
• Experience with CRM systems and database management
• Knowledge of data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) preferred
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

Research and Analysis Skills 

• Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources
• Experience with market research methodologies and tools
• Understanding of business intelligence and competitive analysis
• Familiarity with online research platforms and databases
• Basic understanding of financial analysis and business case development

Interpersonal and Professional Skills

• Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of African business contexts
• Proactive and self-motivated work approach
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information

Additional Assets 

• Understanding of entrepreneurship and MSME development in Africa
• Familiarity with donor organizations and development finance institutions
• Experience with grant writing or funding applications
• Knowledge of project management principles
• Basic understanding of impact measurement and development indicators

We offer: 

Professional Development and Growth 

• Opportunity to work with a dynamic, mission-driven team
• Direct exposure to high-level business development processes
• Comprehensive training in business development and consulting methodologies
• Mentorship from experienced senior managers and industry experts

Compensation and Benefits 

• Competitive salary appropriate for experience level
• Performance-based annual review and advancement opportunities
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage
• Communication allowance
• Professional development budget and training opportunities
• Annual leave days according to local legislation

Career Advancement 

• Clear progression pathway within ESPartners’ Growth team
• Opportunity to develop specialized expertise in African markets
• Exposure to international best practices and methodologies
• Access to ESPartners’ network of partners and development organizations Impact and Mission
• Contribute to building the African entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Support sustainable development and economic empowerment across Africa

How to Apply

Send your CV and cover letter to: careers@espartners.co 

Reference: Business Development Analyst 

Required Documents: 

• Detailed CV highlighting relevant research and analytical experience
• Cover letter explaining your interest in business development and African markets
• Two professional references
• Sample of analytical or research work (if available)

ESPartners is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We particularly  encourage applications from young professionals looking to build their careers in business development  and contribute to Africa’s entrepreneurial growth.