Work With Us – Business Development Roles

Interested in working with African Growth?…

We are currently looking for a business development / lead generation executive to work alongside us on client projects that connect the UK/EU/International business community with businesses/governments in Africa and investment opportunities on the continent.

Job Spec : Business Development Executive (Africa)

Location: UK – Hampshire / South of England / London (Remote from home office)

Remuneration: Rate dependent upon expertise – starting from £16 / hour

Job Description

This is a contract based (self-employed) role, with rates and hours dependent on your skills and experience, however with rapid growth would expect it to have potential to become full time and ever more rewarding in salary over time as the company establishes itself.

You will be adept at getting results in business development through all channels, whether over the phone, using email, LinkedIn or face to face.

You will be comfortable with working remotely and fairly autonomously and your ability to self-motivate and organise your activity intelligently to maximise results will be critical.

Desired Skills & Experience

Candidates will have experience and evidence of success in selling/marketing services/products that may include: Events/Conferences, IT / Software, Professional services, Financial Services, Electronics/Manufactured Goods, or other products/services – ideally on a B2B basis.

• Experience of business in Africa and a familiarity with the nuances of business culture in African territories, whether on the basis of experience selling in to African territories or working on the continent are of key importance together with business development experience

• You will have excellent communication and qualification skills, be eloquent and well-spoken in English, competent in Microsoft Office and accustomed to documenting and tracking sales activity through use of a CRM system and spreadsheets.

• You will be focused, creative in spotting new sales opportunities and have an eye for detail – all of which will be essential for you, us and our clients to work together longer term.
• You will be confident in communicating with senior figures in companies and at times in government, be adept at pinpointing and reaching decision makers in often quite complex organisations and have some experience of the type of management structures and decision making processes found in businesses in general as well as an understanding of local business culture in at least one African country or in general based on experience.
• You will use initiative and “detective work” to reach new contacts / research who the relevant decision makers are might be in companies that are relevant prospects for the product/service.
• You take an interest in international news, politics and foreign affairs and are able to make ¨small talk” where appropriate and diplomatically on such subjects to add credibility, gravitas and build rapport.
• You are excellent at networking, building connections and ingenious in matchmaking and finding commonalities between contacts that can be matched or brought together for the benefit of client projects.
• Excellent spoken and written English required. Knowledge of additional languages (French, Swahili, other African languages, Arabic) a bonus, however not essential.
• Previous experience of travel in Africa or a knowledge of African countries a plus, but not a must have.
• Over time there may be prospect for occasional travel to African territories for events or to accompany client visits/trade missions, so a willingness and ability to travel occasionally would be valued

Company Description

African Growth operates in several key areas:

Business Development and Lead Generation for Africa
Strategic support, hands on sales activity and business development to get companies based in the UK or EU selling in Africa either directly to end customers or by establishing distributors/resellers locally on behalf of clients.
African Trade and Investment Promotion
Creating programmes and carrying out activity to drive investment and trade activity in African countries and engage international partners. Matchmaking international investors with in country projects and facilitating deepening relationships to keep projects on track, organising and driving engagement with trade events.
Operational Support and Consulting on African Market Entry
Our experts can help guiding and facilitating in areas such as market/country intelligence, legal and tax affairs, financial regulations, HR practice, PR & communications and beyond.
African Business Networking and Connection Building
Our networking sessions held online will bring together a diverse, experienced and well-connected audience of business leaders across a multitude of sectors from across the continent, the diaspora and global businesses keen to engage with Africa.

Hours of Work:

Monday – Friday 0900 – 17.30

Part-time work will fall between these hours and wherever possible will be agreed to accommodate any other work/family commitments you might have

Job Type: Contract

Required experience: Business development experience

To Apply: Please e-mail carl.garrod@africangrowth.co.uk attaching your CV – please no follow up calls, we will respond in due course to applicants of interest