Assistant Director - Business Development
- Company
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
- Location
New Delhi, Delhi
- Employment Type
Full-Time
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Functional Category
Programme Management & Implementation
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Experience
10 - 12 years
- Date Posted
09-Feb-2026
About International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
For 47 years, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has set the global agenda for gender equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity with action-oriented research and solutions. Our global experts generate groundbreaking insights and develop gender transformative strategies on topics like economic opportunity and security, health and reproductive rights, gender norms, and climate action.
- Website
Overview of the Role
ICRW Asia is seeking an Assistant Director – Business Development who will work closely with the Executive Director to lead and strengthen business development activities for ICRW Asia, driving strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and portfolio growth efforts to advance the organization’s goals and ensure sustained growth. The Assistant Director – Business Development will lead the development and execution of ICRW Asia’s business development strategy, with a focus on donor diversification, thematic expansion, and geographic growth across India and the broader Asia region. This includes cultivating new funding partnerships, deepening relationships with existing donors, and identifying and responding to emerging funding opportunities to expand ICRW’s research, advocacy, and implementation portfolio. The Assistant Director – Business Development will also work closely with senior leadership including the Executive Director and the Directors of Programs, Communications, Operations, and Finance to ensure alignment between organizational priorities and divisional business strategies. The position requires strong judgement, sector knowledge, and the ability to translate organizational priorities into fundable opportunities.
Job Description
• Lead the design and execution of ICRW Asia’s business development strategy in close collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Align regional business development priorities with ICRW’s global strategy, translating them into actionable plans, targets, and measurable fundraising goals.
• Identify and pursue strategic growth priorities for ICRW Asia, including donor diversification, expansion into new thematic or programmatic areas, and strengthening ICRW Asia’s funding mix, across India and the broader Asia region.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with existing and prospective donors, including foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, corporate CSR partners, and philanthropic institutions.
• Proactively scan, assess, and prioritize specific funding opportunities and calls aligned with ICRW’s strategic priorities, research strengths and implementation capabilities.
• Expand ICRW Asia’s institutional footprint by developing partnerships with governments, research institutions, NGOs, and private-sector entities.
• Lead and coordinate end-to-end proposal development processes, including concept development, partner engagement, proposal writing, and/or oversight of proposal development through internal teams or external consultants, and submission. The role will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, competitive proposals, including mobilizing appropriate technical writing support where required.
• Work closely with Program and Finance teams to develop competitive and compliant technical proposals and budgets and review them for significant deviation, assess associated risks, and support informed decision-making.
• Develop and maintain a donor and opportunity pipeline, including a funding tracker and dashboard to monitor progress against targets.
• Organize and lead periodic business development review meetings to assess performance, pipeline health, and course-correct as needed.
• Conduct regular trend and landscape analysis to identify emerging social issues, donor shifts, and competitor activities in the development sector
• Risk Assessment: Perform periodic risk assessments on funding sources to ensure organizational resilience against economic shifts.
• Collaborate closely with program teams to shape future projects, strengthen donor relationships, and support portfolio growth.
• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to staff involved in business development activities, including strengthening internal BD systems and processes.
• Act as a thought partner to the Executive Director on organizational growth, positioning, and strategic decision-making.
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Skill
• A seasoned business leader with sound grounding in business strategy and partnership cultivation, who has an entrepreneurial spirit and is passionate about advancing the status of women;
• Demonstrated experience in generating business innovation, and enabling the achievement of business goals in the organization;
• Well-established networks across donors, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and strategic partners, with the ability to leverage these relationships for new business development;
• Demonstrated collaborative management style that supports open and frequent communication, extensive sharing of information, and thoughtful decision-making;
• Proven ability to serve as a competent, knowledgeable, and confident organizational representative to external audiences;
• Keen ability to problem-solve, think critically and creatively to improve systems and strategies, willingness to pivot, and remain resilient in the face of challenge;
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills;
• Fluency in English required and Hindi preferred.
Education
Master’s degree in Public Policy, Business Administration, International Development, or another related discipline;
Experience
Demonstrated experience working in the non-profit and philanthropic sector, with strong familiarity with donor expectations, funding mechanisms, and compliance requirements; Minimum of 10-12 years of relevant experience, ideally combining dimensions of work in the private sector, international development, and business/management consultancy;