Business Development Analyst
Abidjan
Full-Time
Business Development Analyst
Abidjan
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.