Manager – NbS Origination (Business Development)

Job Description

Manager – NbS Origination (Business Development)

IORA Ecological Solutions is seeking an experienced professional to drive the execution of its NbS origination pipeline. The role, working with the NbS Origination Lead, will be responsible for converting opportunities into partnerships and funded projects by leading business development efforts, managing stakeholder relationships, and delivering high-quality proposals. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead identification and assessment of opportunities across nature-based solutions, carbon markets, climate finance, and landscape-scale restoration programmes.
• Track and interpret government schemes, CSR priorities, multilateral funding pipelines, and corporate sustainability commitments relevant to the organisation’s portfolio.
• Develop actionable opportunity pipelines, including prioritisation based on strategic fit, scalability, and revenue potential.
• Prepare high-quality briefs on prospective clients, partners, and funding avenues to inform decision-making.
• Lead the development of concept notes, proposals, EOIs/RFPs and pitch decks for diverse stakeholders.
• Translate technical project concepts into clear value propositions for corporates, CSR teams, foundations, and development finance institutions.
• Synthesize ecological, social, and operational inputs into structured project development insights.
• Support the translation of on-ground opportunities into investable NbS project concepts aligned with carbon and climate finance frameworks.
• Coordinate with internal technical, finance, and implementation teams to consolidate inputs into compelling, cohesive proposals.
• Support research and data collection for preparation of 
• External coordination and preparation for external engagements, including pitch materials, briefing notes, and follow-up actions.
• Support negotiation processes and contribute to closure of partnerships and funding agreements.
• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders including corporates, foundations, government agencies, NGOs and other  implementation partners.
• Own and maintain partnership pipelines, opportunity trackers, and CRM systems with high data integrity and regular updates.
• Coordinate early-stage feasibility assessments by working with cross-functional teams (carbon, GIS, forestry, implementation).
• Institutionalise learnings from proposals, partnerships, and client interactions to strengthen future origination efforts.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in business administration, marketing, environment, natural resources management or related fields.
• 5–8 years of relevant experience focussed on fundraising and/or business development in environment, climate, conservation, sustainability, or development sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in identification and tracking of diverse funding opportunities, donor specific concepts and proposals as well as developing and maintaining partnerships,  preferably in NbS, climate finance, or related domains.
• Prior exposure to carbon markets, landscape restoration, or sustainability-linked financing is strongly preferred.
• Experience in developing project/donor specific financial models is also desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong ability to bridge technical concepts and commercial narratives.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams as well as coordinate and consolidate technical inputs to align with BD strategy.
• Proven experience in proposal writing, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development.
• Structured thinking with strong analytical and synthesis capabilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience managing pipelines and trackers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• High ownership, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.