Background

CDL was founded in early 2003 by its current Managing Director Lucy Mmari.Within her 14 year tenure in a well established logistics company, She honed her skill in human resources management and thereafter started CDL.

Our client is seeking an experienced Business Development Lead / Manager to drive strategic partnerships across NGOs, county governments, development organizations, financial institutions, and donor-funded programs within Kenya's agricultural sector.

The successful candidate will identify new business opportunities, develop financing partnerships with Kenyan banks, and build strategic programs with farmers, cooperatives, county governments, and development partners. Reporting to the Managing Director, the role will drive sustainable revenue growth while supporting food security, climate resilience, and agricultural development across Kenya.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute institutional business development strategies.
• Build partnerships with NGOs, county governments, banks, SACCOs, and development agencies.
• Identify and secure donor-funded projects and high-value commercial opportunities.
• Structure agricultural financing solutions with financial institutions.
• Lead commercial negotiations, proposals, and key stakeholder engagements.
• Represent the company at industry forums and strengthen strategic relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Finance, or a related field (MBA is an added advantage).
• 8–10 years of experience in business development, institutional partnerships, or commercial leadership.
• Proven experience working with NGOs, donor organizations, county governments, or development agencies.
• Strong understanding of Kenya's agricultural sector and institutional procurement landscape.
• Experience engaging banks or agricultural finance institutions.
• Experience within agribusiness, agricultural technology, irrigation, greenhouse farming, crop protection, seeds, fertilizers, or related industries.

Key Skills

• Strategic business development
• Partnership and stakeholder management
• Proposal and tender development
• Commercial negotiation
• Financial modelling
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Why This Role Matters

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to drive the growth of an institutional business by building strategic partnerships that connect development funding, commercial financing, and government initiatives with practical agricultural solutions. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing agricultural productivity, improving farmer livelihoods, and strengthening food security across Kenya.

• Develop and execute institutional business development strategies.
• Build partnerships with NGOs, county governments, banks, SACCOs, and development agencies.
• Identify and secure donor-funded projects and high-value commercial opportunities.
• Structure agricultural financing solutions with financial institutions.
• Lead commercial negotiations, proposals, and key stakeholder engagements.
• Represent the company at industry forums and strengthen strategic relationships.

• Strategic business development
• Partnership and stakeholder management
• Proposal and tender development
• Commercial negotiation
• Financial modelling
• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Finance, or a related field (MBA is an added advantage).
• 8–10 years of experience in business development, institutional partnerships, or commercial leadership.
• Proven experience working with NGOs, donor organizations, county governments, or development agencies.
• Strong understanding of Kenya's agricultural sector and institutional procurement landscape.
• Experience engaging banks or agricultural finance institutions.
• Experience within agribusiness, agricultural technology, irrigation, greenhouse farming, crop protection, seeds, fertilizers, or related industries.