Business Development Specialist – Trade & Private Sector Partnerships

About the role

The Business Development Specialist will lead the creation of innovative programs and partnerships that place CDF Canada at the forefront of the trade‑development nexus. The role focuses on building high‑impact collaborations with Global Affairs Canada, other international donors, private‑sector actors, and multilateral institutions while designing competitive proposals that blend development outcomes with economic and trade opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret donor priorities (GAC, IAIP, FinDev, MDBs) and identify emerging funding opportunities.
• Position CDF early in program design phases and develop strategic concept notes aligned with donor priorities.
• Build and manage partnerships with Canadian private‑sector firms, SMEs, financial institutions, impact investors, local partners in the Global South, and multilateral organizations.
• Structure partnerships with clear roles, incentives, and deliverables.
• Lead the design of complex, multi‑partner proposals that integrate development outcomes (poverty reduction, gender equality, climate) with economic logic (value chains, market access, SME growth).
• Oversee proposal writing processes and ensure fundable program designs.
• Support internal teams in integrating trade‑development approaches and develop tools/templates for partnership and proposal development.

Required profile

• 7–10 years of experience in at least two areas: international development programming, private‑sector engagement, trade facilitation, or consulting on economic development/value chains.
• Direct experience with Global Affairs Canada or similar donors is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to build multi‑stakeholder partnerships and a track record of successful proposal or program development.

Required skills

• Translational thinking – ability to move between development language (gender, poverty, resilience) and economic language (markets, investment, value chains).
• Partnership structuring – turning collaboration ideas into concrete roles, incentives, and deliverables.
• Strategic instinct – rapid assessment of emerging opportunities and donor priorities.