Business Development Manager (based in Madagascar)

Social enterprise HERi Madagascar establishes solar-powered kiosks that provide electrical products and services, such as lamp rental, mobile phone charging, photocopying/printing etc., to rural off-grid communities in Madagascar. HERi Kiosks are managed by local female entrepreneurs, that operate as franchisees. Currently, 33 kiosks located in 5 regions are in operations. HERi Madagascar is headquartered in Antananarivo.

Mission :

The business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying, defining, developing and testing business opportunities linked to HERI Madagascar’s kiosk network. This includes identifying new products and services to be provided at the kiosk as well as other businesses (incl. agriculture linked businesses) to be set-up in relation with and around the kiosks leveraging HERi’s exclusive physical presence in rural villages in Madagascar

The eventual goal of the Business Development Manager is contribute to HERi Madagascar’s financial growth with the aim to bring the company to financial sustainability by 2019.

Main duties :

Manage HERi Madagascar’s business development team, give orientation to and plan business development department activities
provide business development training and mentoring to business developers and other internal staff.
leads business development team meetings on a regular basis
Present to and consult with mid and senior level management on business trends with a view to developing new services, products, and distribution channels.
Based on consumer insights, knowledge of the market and competitors, as well as inputs from HERi Marketing and Sales department, identify new products and services that offer solutions to consumers in rural, off-grid areas and with a potential to generate profits for HERi Madagascar
Prepare and implement pilot plans (including business case) to test the business potential of new products and services and gather valuable information for their actual launch and roll-out
Oversee the implementation of HERi’s pilot agriculture programme
when pilot-project is successful hand-over product to Marketing and Sales Department for roll-out
Research, create and maintain relationship with a network of key partners for the development of business activities at and around the kiosk
Ensure alignment with other departments, especially with the Marketing & Sales department
keeps up to date on the latest innovations in the context of renewable energy and rural development and provide feedback and information on market and creative trends
Actively participate to Management team meetings and contribute to the development and achievement of HERi’s overall strategy

The Business Development Manager :

Reports to the General Manager
Leads a team composed of 3-4 young professionals
Is a member of the Management team

Profile :

At least 8-year working experience
At least 3-year experience in Business Development at a senior level
Full proficiency (oral and written) in French
Excellent writing skills in French and English
Able to lead, motivate and support a multi-cultural team
Previous working experience in Madagascar highly desirable
Motivated to contribute to the development of a growing social business
Motivated to bringing innovative products and services to rural communities in one of the poorest countries in the world
Good understanding of rural markets in developing countries/preferably in Madagascar
Knowledge in the field of Renewable Energies is an asset
Knowledge in the field of Agriculture/Agricultural chain value is an asset