Business Development Officer / Strategic Partnerships Lead

Position Overview

Samawada is seeking a driven and innovative Business Development Officer to help expand partnerships, donor networks, sponsorship opportunities, and strategic growth initiatives that support our humanitarian mission.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about social impact, relationship-building, technology-driven fundraising, and sustainable nonprofit growth. The successful candidate will help position Samawada as a modern, transparent, and innovation-focused humanitarian organization by developing partnerships with corporations, donors, universities, NGOs, technology leaders, and community stakeholders.

The role will also support growth initiatives connected to:

• donor transparency systems
• AI and digital innovation
• humanitarian technology
• climate resilience
• water infrastructure
• youth engagement
• community-led development

This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit strategy, partnerships, fundraising, and international development.

What You Will Do

Strategic Growth & Partnerships

• Identify and develop new partnership opportunities with businesses, NGOs, universities, sponsors, and community organizations.
• Build relationships with donors, corporate partners, government stakeholders, and philanthropic networks.
• Support sponsorship outreach for Samawada events, campaigns, and humanitarian initiatives.
• Assist in creating long-term growth strategies for donor engagement and organizational expansion.
• Help position Samawada within innovation, humanitarian, and social impact ecosystems.

Fundraising & Donor Development

• Research potential donors, grants, and funding opportunities.
• Assist in developing donor outreach campaigns and sponsorship proposals.
• Support donor engagement initiatives and relationship management.
• Help improve donor retention through storytelling, transparency, and impact communication.
• Collaborate with marketing and tech teams to promote the Global Transparency Dashboard and digital impact tools.

Marketing & Brand Expansion

• Support campaigns that increase visibility and public awareness of Samawada’s mission.
• Help build strategic collaborations with media, influencers, universities, and community leaders.
• Assist with networking events, conferences, presentations, and partnership meetings.
• Contribute ideas for innovative fundraising and awareness campaigns.
• Identify trends in humanitarian innovation, AI, nonprofit technology, and digital donor engagement.

Research & Market Analysis

• Conduct market research on nonprofit trends, donor behavior, and humanitarian innovation.
• Analyze partnership opportunities and growth markets.
• Research competitor organizations and identify strategic positioning opportunities.
• Help identify emerging technologies and digital solutions relevant to Samawada’s mission.

Operations & Strategy Support

• Assist leadership with strategic planning initiatives.
• Maintain partnership and outreach documentation.
• Help develop pitch decks, sponsorship packages, and partnership presentations.
• Support coordination between marketing, operations, technology, and program teams.
• Document processes and build sustainable outreach systems for future volunteers and staff.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience or strong interest in:
  • business development
  • partnerships
  • fundraising
  • nonprofit growth
  • marketing
  • donor engagement
  • community outreach
• Strong communication and networking skills.
• Ability to build professional relationships and represent Samawada externally.
• Interest in humanitarian innovation, social impact, or international development.
• Strong organizational and research abilities.
• Experience with presentations, outreach campaigns, or partnership management is an asset.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, LinkedIn outreach, or donor engagement tools is a plus.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.
• Passion for mission-driven work and community empowerment.

Preferred Areas of Interest

Candidates with interest or experience in any of the following are encouraged to apply:

• Social impact startups
• Humanitarian technology
• AI and digital innovation
• Sustainability and climate resilience
• International development
• Water and sanitation (WASH)
• Public policy and advocacy
• Community engagement
• Corporate partnerships
• Startup ecosystem development

What You Will Gain

• Real-world nonprofit leadership and partnership experience.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful humanitarian projects.
• Exposure to innovation-driven global development initiatives.
• Experience working on donor transparency and technology-enabled impact systems.
• Networking opportunities with professionals, organizations, and policymakers.
• Portfolio-building experience in business strategy and nonprofit growth.

Strategic Projects You May Support

• Global Donor Transparency Dashboard
• Humanitarian Technology & AI Initiatives
• Water Infrastructure Campaigns
• Climate Resilience & Environmental Restoration Programs
• University & Youth Engagement Partnerships
• Donor Engagement & Trust-Building Systems
• Policy Advocacy & Awareness Events
• Community Innovation & Capacity Building Programs