Business Development Officer

Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 

Organisation: Irish League Credit Union Foundation 

Position: Business Development Officer 

Location: Sierra Leone 

Engagement Type: Full time (with field assignments) 

Reporting Line: General Manager – NaCCUA  

Liaises With: ILCUF, NaCCUA, external stakeholders  

Background 

The Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation in Sierra Leone (ILCUF) provides financial and  technical assistance to Sierra Leone credit unions (financial cooperative organisations), NaCCUA (the Sierra Leone credit union Apex body) and relevant government authorities. In its work ILCUF  adheres to a Code of Conduct that sets out the ethical principles of its work in the country and its  commitment to the highest standards of openness, transparency and accountability; its nature of  work is apolitical, secular, democratic and non-discriminatory.

Main Purpose of Job:  

Irish League Credit Union Foundation is seeking a dynamic, high-performing Business  Development Officer for their partner NaCCUA with a proven ability to identify and acquire  emerging agencies and work-based credit unions opportunities across Sierra Leone. The ideal  candidate excels under pressure, has a strong network, and demonstrates the ability to spot high 

potential partners who can succeed in the work-base credit union ecosystem in Sierra Leone. This  role focuses on expanding network of credit unions, specifically work-based credit unions, and  fostering new WBCU environment in Sierra Leone. The candidate should be comfortable with a  non-standard job that involves everything from cold calling senior leaders in target organisations 

to hosting events to casual coffee chats, all aimed at developing the credit union movement and  building meaningful connections. 

What is a work-based credit union (WBCU)? 

A WBCU is a credit union within the workspace, where only employees and their families can  become members. Each member has the opportunity to save, learn more about managing money,  and explore investment opportunities. In addition to the usual benefits of being a member of a  CU, WBCUs offer special services, for example, the option to save via salary deductions directly 

from payroll to build savings over time. The WBCU is already an important pillar in the credit union  movement in other countries in Africa. The plan is to use this concept of WBCUs and apply it in  Sierra Leone to further support the people in the community and strengthening the financial  inclusion. To develop and establish a WBCU a two-step process is needed: (i) convincing and  signing up employers who want to offer their employees that option and (ii) marketing and comms  to employees to encourage them to sign-up to be members of the WBCU.  

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Complete market analysis and develop sales strategy, including planning and preparing  and conducting research to understand the competitive landscape and target market for  WBCUs. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including  stakeholders in large employers, regulators (including the Central Bank of Sierra Leone  and Department of Cooperatives) and relevant government and non-governmental  actors, to support the development of Work-Based Credit Unions (WBCUs). 
• Understand the specific needs and challenges of both large employers and staff  associations particularly with respect to employee welfare and staff ability to manage  personal finances. Develop tailored, context specific communications for each employer  and staff association to market and sell the WBCU proposition and address information  gaps. 
• Generate leads for the Work Based Credit Union (WBCU) opportunity pipeline, including  cold calling. 
• Maintain the WBCU pipeline, through nurturing leads, progressing them from leads to  prospects, through to qualified opportunities, contract negotiations to close deals and  ultimately through to establishing fully operational work-based CUs with a thriving  member base of engaged employees. 
• Conduct high-level market and financial feasibility assessments to support WBCU  investment and establishment decisions. 
• Formulate plans for each of the major WBCU opportunities, including a client stakeholder  map, power map, and specific action plans to convert them to fully operational WBCUs. • Fully prepare NaCCUA leadership prior to their engagement with prospective  organisations. 
• Work closely with the NaCCUA finance officer, marketing offer, and IT team and other  internal stakeholders on tailored client pitches. 
• Organise and lead activities ranging from formal events to casual coffee chats to engage  with the work-based credit unit community and drive movement development.
• Provide insights and feedback to optimize work-based credit union establishment  strategies and drive business growth. 
• Conduct research to identify new opportunities for work-based credit unions and  membership increasement. 
• Identifying other markets, trends and business opportunities to develop the Sierra Leone  CU membership base. 
• Support NaCCUA in their development of the NaCCUA business development plan. • Represent NaCCUA, Irish League Credit Unions Foundation and the credit union  movement at events and act as a brand ambassador. 

Professional & Ethical Standards 

• Maintain independence, objectivity, and confidentiality at all times. 
• Adhere to professional ethics and standards applicable in Sierra Leone. • Avoid any conflicts of interest. 

Other duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

• Liaise and plan with the General Manager NaCCUA, General Manager ILCUF, Marketing  Officer on the WBCU strategies and plans and other development plans for the  movement. 
• Support the establishment of the work-based credit unions. 
• Establish clear procedures and checklists for the establishment of work-based credit  unions. 

Representation 

• Represent NaCCUA and the Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation at relevant  government, donor or inter agency meetings, when requested to do so. 

Communication 

• Ensure effective working relationships are maintained with credit unions, NaCCUA, ILCUF  management team, and external stakeholders, including credit union members and local  communities. 

Reporting and Liaising 

• Update the General Manager of NaCCUA on the progress of work-based credit union  establishment
• Provide in full reports on the opportunity pipeline and specific client opportunities to the  NaCCUA Board and the Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation Sierra Leone Board. • Participate in leadership meetings with ILCUF, NaCCUA and DSIK team to provide updates  on the work-based credit union establishment 

Other 

• Undertake other related duties as may be assigned by the General Manager. Required Qualifications and Experience: 

Education & Professional Certification 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Development or any other relevant discipline.  
• Masters in relevant field is an added advantage. 
• Professional certification in areas such as project management, finance, or equivalent  (full or part qualification) will be an added advantage 

Skills and competencies 

Essential 

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with high-level stakeholders and decision makers. 
• Proven track record in business development or sales across Sierra Leone in the financial,  public sector or entrepreneurial sectors, with exceptional ability to identify and acquire  new clients. 
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to  articulate complex concepts effectively. 
• Skilled in crafting and presenting tailored proposals that showcase the value of a WBCU  to both employers and staff associations. 
• Strategic thinker with a proven track record of driving growth and achieving sales targets. • Experience creating and executing comprehensive business development strategies. • Strong network of senior level government and private sector contacts across Sierra  Leone. 
• Results-driven with excellent analytical skills to inform decision-making under pressure. • Strong people management skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.  
• Ability to transfer knowledge to others. 
• High ethical standards and professional judgment.
• Ability to work independently, travel to external stakeholder locations, and meet strict  deadlines. 
• Fluent in written and spoken English, spoken Krio and knowledge of other local languages  is an added advantage. 
• Self-motivated, proactive, and collaborative, thriving in cross-functional teams. Desirable 
• Prior experience working with Credit Unions, Cooperatives, or member-based financial  institutions. 
• Familiarity with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) or the banking sector. • Willingness and ability to work outside the duty station for short-term assignments as  required. 
• Demonstrated commitment to poverty reduction, financial inclusion, and community  development through cooperative, community-based, or voluntary initiatives.
• Experience 
• Minimum of 5 years’ business development or sales across Sierra Leone within the  financial, public sector or entrepreneurial sector. 

HOW TO APPLY  

Application, including CV and a cover letter explaining your fit for the role, should be submitted  to: Mr. Solomon Mwongyere, ILCUF General Manager by email on; smwongyere.ilcuf@gmail.com and copy Peter Alexandra Banting, NaCCUA General Manager by email on:  gm.naccuasl2023@gmail.com 

Application deadline: Friday 8 May 2026.  

All applicants are thanked for their interest in the assignment. However, only those selected for  an interview will be contacted.