Senior New Business Lead - Application form

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Are you great at building relationships, nurturing new business opportunities, getting a deep understanding of a clients or target group's needs and writing winning proposals? Are you excited to use your skills, experience and energy to contribute to fostering entrepreneurshipin many African countries? Then this is the opportunity for you!

Below you will find the application form for the New Business Lead vacancy at Crosswise Works. You will not need to submit additional documentation other than this form (unless you do not have a LinkedIn profile, in which case you can submit a CV to info@crosswiseworks.nl).

Email *

WE AS CROSSWISE WORKS

We're a social enterprise promoting entrepreneurship.

Crosswise Works consolidated its successful approach to creating businesses and supporting entrepreneurs, combining a number of elements, such as: core life skills and entrepreneurship training for aspiring entrepreneurs, designing incubators for startups, using crowdfunding for start-up capital, setting-up accelerators for the most successful startups and SMEs. We combine capacity building approaches like mentorship, coaching and training. When building businesses and entrepreneurs we offer network support for local hubs and strengthen the entrepreneurial climate.

We forge partnerships and alliances that allow others to do business and work towards sustainable development. Working in new ways is challenging and requires skilled management of collaborative processes. In our partnerships we focus on getting work done, keeping the long term in sights and ensuring all partners have a voice.

All our work is designed and/ or co-facilitated with our local partners (experts!) such as hubs, universities, NGOs, technical consultants and corporates.

Reading this, what sparks the most joy and why? *

Please use examples of your professional experience, preferably in Africa and include what you still want to learn

WAY OF WORKING

Operating as a social enterprise with an office next to Bijlmer Station in Amsterdam, we deliver our work through short term projects/consultancies yet also as partner in larger multi-annual programs.

Our organization structure is flat and dynamic, operating on principles of self-organization. We have no bosses or managers; everyone is responsible and accountable for their roles. Our internal operation drives on people with clearly assigned roles that provide high degrees of professional autonomy and promotes mutual professional trust. This will give you the freedom to do what you are best at and to make your own choices in line with the purpose of the organisation. We adopted Holacracy in 2021.

As a team we cherish solid proven methods, and based on continuous learning, we drive further improvements. In all that we do, our local partnerships are very important to us. We never work alone. Because we listen and get engaged, we thrive in co-creating new approaches and tweaking existing ones, whilst bringing in innovative elements.

Sounds nice, he?! Who are you as a team member? *

As a team we are known to be fast, flexible and lean. Can you share how this fits or could be challenging for you?

ABOUT YOUR ROLE

You bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the team! As our next New Business Lead you get energized from expanding our client base, portfolio and feel at ease with going out there telling our story and understanding clients needs. You can think strategically, act tactically and do executory work with ease. You maintain a healthy balance between your desire for a healthy ROI, your curiosity to pursue new opportunities and your groundedness to ensure that our new business goals and activities are in line with the Crosswise Works strategy. You thrive on being proactive and independent. At the same time, you enjoy a good brainstorm and sparring session with other colleagues. Once assignments and projects have been won you are able to bring project managers on board to ensure smooth transfer.

Your main tasks/accountabilities as New Business Lead are:

Identifying potential new clients, setting up first contact and following up
Setting up kick--off meetings to discuss proposal set up
Structuring and developing project proposals and competitive budgets for (new) clients
Developing proposals for donors in collaboration with partners
Preparing a new business update for the Supervisory Board each quarter
Networking / seeking new relationships with potential partners (e.g. applying to speak at conferences, attending networking events, having a virtual-coffee with a potential client and keeping relationships warm)
Co-developing and implementing the Business Development strategy
Coming up with new innovative strategies of conveying our services and of attracting new clients and bringing these strategies to life

How does that sound? Tell us, what makes you our new colleague? *

So, to be super clear, you need to have track record in the above, having won projects that inspire, allow us to have impact and strengthen our entrepreneurship work.

What was the most difficult situation that really challenged you in doing the above in a previous job or function? *

We would love to hear how this allowed you to grow as a professional and person.

Tell us a bit more about what you won? *

We would love to hear some of the winning proposals, projects or assignments you are proud of.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT!

We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague who has a proven affinity with business development and (proposal) writing and someone who is used to working independently and proactively.

As our New Business Lead, you feel at home in a dynamic international working environment. You are thorough and accurate, with a good sense of priorities. You have an agile and hands-on work style; you are able to apply theory to practice and respond to changes in context or priorities easily. You are able to work remotely with different international partners, build relationships, align on who is doing what, and develop appealing proposals together. You are an empathetic listener. You find it exciting to connect with a potential client and transform an open need or question into a full-on project proposal and budget that meets the needs of the client.

You are a social networker - when you are not busy responding to a ToR, you are (virtually) out and about, sparking new connections with potential clients and getting them excited about working with us. You are a great writer and analytical thinker - you have a track record writing successful proposals for NGOs, corporate clients and funds/donors. You would love to apply your communications and organizing skills to other areas at Crosswise Works as well, including to organizing learning events and communicating about our impact.

What are your thoughts on being our colleague after reading this?

No worries, this question is hard and will be a good conversation starter once we meet and talk further :-)

Are you a good fit?

Please let us know which box you tick, and be honest if there's someting you don't have yet :). Then we know what to work with.

Proven experience in designing and implementing programmes for specific needs based target audiences across Africa.
At least 10 years of working experience in international development programmes in Africa.
Able to travel at least 5 times a year for a minimum of one week per trip, independently.
A strong network of contacts in adult learning sector professionals and capacity building.
Education level: Master’s degree or equivalent in (international) business management, social studies, international development and or relations, private sector development etc.
Excellent ability to speak and write in English at a professional level.
Knowledge of French is seen as an asset.

HERE'S WHAT WE OFFER

We offer an exciting and challenging position. We start with a temporary contract of 7 months, for 32-36 hours a week, and have the intention to prolong the contract if we achieve great results and are a good match.

And we offer:

An opportunity to be part of a diverse and experienced team consisting of about 6 people.
An inspiring work space near Bijlmer Station in Amsterdam, with good coffee, team lunch and the opportunity to work some time from home. Most of your work is from the Netherlands, but some travelling might be involved.
A fair salary of €4100 gross for 40 hours (we offer 8% holiday fees and a 10% pension contribution).

FINALLY...

Some personal details

First and Last Name *

Phone number *

Please share your LinkedIn profile

If you don't have one, send us your CV at info@crosswiseworks.nl

How did you find us? *

Anything else you want to share with us? *

Final question

Thanks a lot

We hope this wasn't too hard and we'll make sure to follow up ASAP.

Speak soon,

Bas, Magdalis, Diwy, Malou, Lucia, Jip

info@crosswiseworks.nl

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.