Private Sector Partnerships Specialist

Private Sector Partnerships Specialist

Enabel, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation, is dedicated to fostering a sustainable global society in which all individuals live under the rule of law and can prosper without constraints. Through strategic partnerships, the agency implements innovative solutions to address critical global issues, including climate change, social and economic disparities, urbanization, peace and security, human mobility, and the promotion of global citizenship. With a proven track record spanning more than two decades, we deliver transformative results across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental conservation, digital transformation, employment initiatives, and governance reform. Our specialized knowledge and strategic insights are highly valued by global partners in international cooperation, encompassing the Belgian government, European Union institutions, foreign administrations, and the private sector. Enabel, an organization comprising over 2,300 employees, oversees approximately 200 projects across more than twenty countries spanning Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Background Since 1982, Tanzania and Belgium have maintained a robust partnership dedicated to advancing sustainable development through pioneering initiatives. Enabel has played a pivotal role in these endeavors, and its strategic portfolio currently emphasizes critical sectors, including:

• Gender and Education
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) encompasses education and training initiatives designed to equip individuals with practical skills and knowledge directly applicable to specific occupations or trades. These programs focus on hands-on learning, industry-relevant expertise, and career-oriented competencies to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. VET institutions collaborate closely with employers, industry leaders, and professional bodies to ensure alignment with labor market demands and evolving technological advancements. The primary objective is to enhance employability, foster entrepreneurship, and bridge the gap between education and industry requirements through structured, competency-based training pathways.
• Employment and entrepreneurship
• Circular economy and green growth Urban development and infrastructure initiatives, encompassing port expansion and enhanced mobility solutions, are key focal areas. This role demands expertise in strategic planning and implementation of projects that advance the city’s growth and connectivity. Enabel is committed to fostering robust partnerships, particularly with private sector entities and non-traditional donors, to foster innovation, amplify impact, and ensure long-term sustainability. Within Tanzania, this entails a critical shift from fragmented, reactive collaborations to a more strategic and proactive framework for partnership development.

The Function The Private Sector Engagement Expert will spearhead the enhancement of Enabel’s partnerships ecosystem by developing and implementing a strategic, systematic methodology for partnerships and private sector collaboration. This position will serve as a cornerstone in:

• Cultivating and broadening funding streams as well as fostering strategic partnerships and collaborative ventures to enhance operational capacity and reach. We are seeking to integrate private sector engagement throughout the entire portfolio to drive collaboration and innovation. This involves fostering strategic partnerships with industry leaders to enhance project outcomes and leverage expertise. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying opportunities for private sector involvement, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Strong negotiation skills, a deep understanding of market dynamics, and the ability to develop mutually beneficial agreements are essential.
• Driving innovation through strategic partnerships We aim to enhance our organizational capabilities and secure the long-term viability of our collaborative initiatives. The Private Sector Engagement Expert will collaborate closely with the Country Team—including the Country Director, Program Manager, Project Managers, and thematic experts—based locally, as well as international experts stationed in the Brussels office but conducting regular short- and mid-term assignments in Tanzania. This role is pivotal in co-creating, embedding, and sustainably operationalizing Enabel Tanzania’s partnerships strategy to ensure alignment and long-term impact.

Responsibilities:

A. Partnerships Strategy and Pipeline Development To develop and execute a systematic partnerships strategy for the period from 2026 to 2028, the role will focus on engaging non-traditional donors—particularly private sector entities—by shifting from reactive, ad hoc interactions to a proactive, structured engagement framework. Identify, assess, and prioritize key strategic partners and opportunities, with a focus on cross-regional collaborations, to develop and sustain a strong and dynamic partnerships pipeline. Enabel’s global portfolio offers cutting-edge partnership models and collaboration frameworks that will be utilized to enhance and refine the Tanzania approach. Collaboratively develop, in partnership with both internal and external stakeholders, a country-specific strategy for partnerships, along with a corresponding action plan and monitoring framework. These deliverables should be fully aligned with Enabel Tanzania’s key sector priorities and broader business development goals.

B. Partnership Development and Operationalisation Champion private sector initiatives across projects, collaborating closely with teams to ensure alignment with key objectives. Emphasize the strategic advantages of private sector engagement as a catalyst for enhancing sustainability and amplifying impact. We collaborate with project teams to facilitate the establishment of strategic partnerships with Belgian, European, Tanzanian, and broader African stakeholders, aiming to enhance sustainable innovation and deliver impactful outcomes across key focus areas such as Gender, Education, VET, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Circular Economy, Urban Development, Port Development, Green Mobility, Agriculture, Digital, and Critical Raw Minerals.

• Lead the expansion and enhancement of existing private sector partnerships, with a focus on flagship initiatives like Keesha Binti and Inequities, prioritizing advancements in work-based learning and the promotion of decent work. Drafts, finalizes, and manages all Mouse, concept notes, and partnership proposals while coordinating due diligence activities and facilitating smooth negotiations to strengthen stakeholder relationships. Monitor progress and accomplishments on a quarterly basis, then prepare and submit detailed reports summarizing key developments, milestones achieved, and any deviations from planned objectives. Spearhead the execution and oversight of the Country Action Plan focused on partnerships, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and fostering collaborative relationships to drive impactful outcomes. Develop staff expertise by delivering training sessions that align with Enabel’s strategic frameworks and partnership methodologies. Enabel Tanzania seeks to identify and champion effective practices and scalable partnership models both within the organization and across its global network, fostering sustainable collaboration and impact.

Profile, Required Qualifications & Experience

• Tanzanian National
• A master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, International Relations, Finance, or a closely related discipline is required for this position.
• With a minimum of seven years of expertise in business-to-business (B2B) partnerships development, private sector engagement, business development, resource mobilization, or international development cooperation, you bring a strong foundation to this role.
• Excellent knowledge of Tanzanian business environment
• A track record of successfully establishing and overseeing collaborations with private sector entities, donors, development organizations, or governmental bodies is required.
• Proven expertise in crafting and executing partnership strategies, encompassing pipeline development and stakeholder mapping, coupled with thorough partner due diligence processes.
• Proven track record in overseeing the entire lifecycle of partnership initiatives, encompassing initial opportunity identification, formal agreement execution, and ongoing relationship management.
• A thorough grasp of market systems development, inclusive business models, or private sector development (PSD) methodologies is essential.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder environments, such as those involving government agencies, private enterprises, and international development organizations, is highly desirable.

Technical and Functional Competencies

• Proven ability to identify new opportunities, conduct thorough due diligence on potential partners, and structure effective partnerships.
• Possesses a comprehensive grasp of the dynamics within private sector ecosystems in Tanzania and/or East Africa.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach by identifying opportunities and taking decisive action, consistently aligning ideas and initiatives with Enabel’s strategic objectives.
• Maintains open and regular communication with internal stakeholders to ensure cohesive collaboration and shared understanding of goals.
• Proven capability to convert strategic objectives into executable operational initiatives and achieve targeted outcomes.
• Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in networking, stakeholder engagement, and cultivating meaningful professional relationships.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication and negotiation capabilities, adept at engaging and influencing senior stakeholders effectively.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills to bridge gaps between teams, departments, and external partners, fostering cohesive collaboration and dismantling organizational silos.
• Demonstrates exceptional organizational capabilities and meticulous follow-through, adept at juggling numerous partnership initiatives concurrently with precision and efficiency.
• Experience with an international cooperation or development agency is considered advantageous.
• International Experience is an asset.

Languages: Fluent written and spoken proficiency in both English and Swahili is essential.

Applicants are also required to fully embrace and champion the vision, mission, and core values of Enabel, ensuring alignment in every aspect of your role.

We offer you: This position offers a meaningful and influential opportunity within a global setting. A comprehensive compensation package, competitive within your job classification, comprises health care insurance, two additional monthly salaries (13th and 14th months), and—where applicable—an allowance for school fees. A competitive seniority allowance is provided to acknowledge your extensive relevant experience and expertise in the field.

A shortlist of qualified candidates may be compiled through this recruitment process, potentially leading to consideration for comparable positions within the next three years. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for the position as outlined in our job advertisements. Enabel upholds a strong commitment to fostering equal opportunities and embracing diversity within its workforce. Discrimination is strictly prohibited on the basis of gender, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic unrelated to professional competence.

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