Business Development Manager – Government Sector (For Definite Period of 2 years)

The Business Development Manager – Government Sector is a key managerial role responsible for identifying, developing, and closing strategic business opportunities with government institutions, public sector entities, and development programs in Ethiopia.

The position focuses on driving the adoption and commercialization of EthSwitch’s interoperable payment solutions — particularly the EthioPay Instant Payment System (IPS), QR, RTP, bulk payments, Government-to-Person (G2P) disbursements, subsidy distributions, salary and pension payments, tax/customs collections, and other public sector use cases.

Reporting to the Director – Stakeholder Engagement, this role combines relationship management, opportunity identification, Go-to-Market execution, and onboarding support to generate sustainable transaction volume and revenue growth while aligning with national digital finance and financial inclusion objectives.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The Business Development Manager – Government Sector shall:

• Develop and implement targeted business development plans and Go-to-Market strategies to promote EthSwitch services to government ministries, agencies, public enterprises, regulators, and development programs.

• Identify and prioritize high-potential government payment opportunities, including G2P, P2G, bulk payments, salary disbursements, subsidy distributions, tax and utility collections, and other public sector flows.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key officials and technical teams in federal and regional government institutions, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), and implementing partners.

• Lead the preparation and delivery of proposals, presentations, and demonstrations of EthSwitch solutions (IPS, RTP, e-Mandate, QR payments, and bulk services) tailored to government needs.

• Coordinate pilot programs, proof-of-concept initiatives, and full onboarding processes for government clients, working closely with Product, Technical, and Operations teams.

• Negotiate commercial terms, participation agreements, service contracts, and pricing models with government entities and their partners.

• Support the integration of EthSwitch platforms into national and regional government programs such as social protection, aid distribution, public payroll, and digital service delivery.

• Organize and facilitate awareness workshops, capacity-building sessions, and stakeholder forums to drive understanding and adoption of EthSwitch services in the public sector.

• Monitor key performance indicators including number of government entities onboarded, transaction volume, revenue generated, and adoption rates; prepare regular reports with insights and recommendations.

• Gather market intelligence on government priorities, policy developments, donor-funded programs, and emerging payment needs to inform EthSwitch’s commercial and product strategies.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Marketing, Legal, Compliance, and Finance) to ensure smooth execution and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Public Policy, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, or a related field.

• Master’s degree (MBA, Economics, Public Policy, or related) is strongly preferred.

• Professional training in business development, government relations, or project management is an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 5–8 years of progressive experience in business development, sales, government relations, or partnership management.

• At least 4 years of direct experience working with government institutions, public sector projects, or development programs, preferably in fintech, payments, banking, or digital transformation.

• Proven track record of successfully identifying, developing, and closing B2G (Business-to-Government) opportunities and achieving commercial targets.

• Hands-on experience in payments, instant payment systems, G2P programs, or bulk payment solutions is a strong advantage.

• Good understanding of Ethiopia’s public sector landscape, National Digital Payments Strategy, financial inclusion initiatives, and regulatory environment (especially NBE directives).

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills at senior government levels.

• Excellent communication skills in both Amharic and English (written and spoken).

• Ability to translate technical payment solutions into clear business and policy value for government stakeholders.

• Strategic thinking with a results-oriented, commercial mindset.

• High level of professionalism, integrity, and political sensitivity when dealing with public sector clients.

How To Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their application with non-returnable CV, educational qualifications and work experience to [email protected], stating the title of the position clearly on the subject line. Qualified female applicants are highly encouraged.

*Please be aware that it is mandatory to attach your credentials (educational qualifications and work experience) along with your CV. Submitting only your CV is not sufficient.

*Please be advised that all applicants’ Educational Credentials will be verified with the respective higher institutions.