Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Business Development Lead (Africa)
at Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
🏢 About Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, part of Caritas Internationalis. They work with partners in over 40 countries to tackle poverty and injustice, and are known for their long-term, community-led approach and commitment to local partnerships.
About This Role
This role is central to CAFOD's resource mobilization strategy in Africa, focusing on securing funding from institutional donors to support programmes that create lasting change for poor communities. As Senior Business Development Lead, you will be a strategic partner to programme teams, leading complex proposals and building key donor relationships.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing funding opportunity alerts, coordinating with programme teams in Africa to gather inputs for a proposal, and meeting with a donor representative to discuss potential funding. You might also be analyzing data to inform a funding strategy, or providing support to a junior colleague on proposal development.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Catholic Agency for Overseas Development Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
Highlight specific examples of successful proposals you've led for Africa-based programmes, quantifying the funding secured.
Demonstrate your knowledge of CAFOD's mission and values, and how your work aligns with their partnership approach.
Tailor your CV to emphasize experience with institutional donors relevant to the region (e.g., FCDO, EU, African Development Bank).
In your cover letter, address the specific challenges and opportunities of fundraising for programmes in Africa, and how you can add value.
If you have experience working remotely or with dispersed teams, emphasize this, as the role is remote and involves collaboration across locations.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
- Your passion for CAFOD's mission and your understanding of their partnership model. - Specific examples of how you've successfully secured funding from institutional donors for Africa-focused programmes. - Your ability to think strategically and innovate in resource mobilization, and how you can contribute to CAFOD's growth. - Your experience working in a multicultural context and your ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read CAFOD's latest annual report and strategic framework to understand their priorities and impact areas in Africa.
- → Research the specific country contexts where this role is based (Abuja, Harare, Kinshasa, Nairobi) and their funding landscapes.
- → Explore CAFOD's partner organizations in Africa and their work, to understand how they collaborate and what they need.
- → Look at CAFOD's recent funding successes and any public announcements about new grants or projects.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid a generic cover letter that doesn't show specific knowledge of CAFOD or the role's requirements.
- Don't focus only on your past achievements without linking them to how you can help CAFOD achieve its goals.
- Avoid neglecting to mention your right to work in one of the specified locations, as this is a key requirement.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: August 31, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Catholic Agency for Overseas Development!