AlightBusiness Development Advisor | East Africa Region (Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan)
Jan. 2024Kigali City, RwandaLeading market transformation and strategic growth across East African operations through innovative solution development and multi-country expansion. Executive Impact:
• Market Expansion & Innovation
o Architected $22M multi-country market expansion initiative, currently in advanced-stage negotiation with new institutional donor
o Pioneered first-of-its-kind digital mental health platform for refugee communities, securing GIZ partnership for model expansion
o Positioned organization in $100M Last Mile Climate initiative (SOLCO), establishing dedicated coordination office and operational framework
o Achieved organization's highest-ever EU proposal score (86%), demonstrating excellence in program design and market positioning • Strategic Partnership Development
o Secured and expanded multi-year partnerships with major UN agencies (WHO, FAO, UNHCR, UNFPA)
o Established new funding streams through strategic diplomatic engagement (Israel, Japan Embassies)
o Orchestrated nationwide refugee employment program, coordinating 20+ stakeholders including private sector, government ministries, diplomatic missions (Sweden, Germany), and development partners
o Led organization's entry into East Africa Philanthropy Network, creating pathways for impact investment and innovative financing • Organizational Transformation
o Catalyzed formation of global business development practice through successful pursuit of complex regional opportunities
o Transformed field operations through integration with global strategic objectives • Innovation Leadership
o Developed and scaled market-tested digital solutions for humanitarian challenges
o Created new funding models through strategic impact financing initiatives
o Designed replicable frameworks for multi-country program expansion
o Led cross-regional operational excellence initiatives demonstrating measurable impact