Business Development Manager at African Virtual University (AVU)

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer The successful candidate will be appointed for 2 years (renewable) Application must include an application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three professional references. Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have Business Development Manager as the email subject. Inquiries should be sent to avuhr@avu.org The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until a suitable candidate is found. Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.0. INTRODUCTION 

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the i nnovative use of information communication technologies. A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by eighteen (18) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania Mozambique, and Democratic Republic of Congo. The AVU has its
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts: (a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and (b) Not-for-profit development services. The, Not-for-profit development services, aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the Not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries. The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 22 African countries. The project has the following activities: (1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centers and/or upgrading of existing AVU Learning Centers as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; (2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and Conflict Resolution; (3) Gender Mainstreaming (4) Research and Development; (5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and (6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.

The AVU Multinational project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (9) Anglophone African Countries: Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

To successfully implement these project activities the AVU wishes to engage a Business Development Manager whose primary responsibility will be to efficiently and effectively manage all the projects and business Services.

2.0. SCOPE OF WORK

The Business Development Manager will lead the Projects and Business Services unit, will report to the Rector and will be responsible for the following activities:

• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 and responsible for the coordination of the development of the next business plan
• Write proposals to secure new not-for-profit projects
• Increase sale of existing AVU services
• Diversify AVU services' portfolio
• Manage AVU membership and clients as well as all sale communications
• Ensure that the implementation of projects and services is well coordinated with other units such as Academic Programs, Information Technology, Finance and Administration, the AVU Multinational II project coordinating unit, as well as the AVU office in Dakar Senegal
• Manage budget, including preparation of regular cash flow forecasts and ensuring timely submission of reports and reconciliation of funds with Finance and Administration;
• Providing regular reports to Management;
• Any other task that may be requested by the Rector;

3.0. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• AVU Business Plan coordinated and monitored ; the development of the new business plan well coordinated
• Implementation of projects and services well coordinated with other AVU units
• AVU partnerships well managed
• New projects secured
• Sale of AVU services increased significantly
• AVU Services diversified
• A well managed budget for all projects and services
• Regular reports provided

4.0. QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Management, Business, Education or development related field
• A master Degree in Business Administration, project management or related field. A PhD qualification is an added advantage.
• At least 5 years proven record of strategic planning, business development and project management
• Proven record of proposals writing
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proven record of partnerships and sales management in an multicultural international organization
• Computer skills; Microsoft Office, Power Point, Excel, Access, MS Project, Internet skills, Proficiency in Learning Management Systems.
• Knowledge of Open, distance and eLearning is an asset
• Knowledge of and/or experience in higher education in Africa is an added advantage
• Strong writing and communications skills in English. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is and added advantage

5.0. MODALITIES & DURATION OF WORK
The officer will work full time dedicating 8 hours in a day for 5 days a week.

6.0 DURATION
24 months

7.0. REPORTING
The officer will work under the supervision of the AVU Rector or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

8.0. PAYMENT
The salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate