Business Development Manager at GALVmed

Main Purpose

To lead the commercial development, market shaping, and partner management strategy for ruminant anti-parasiticides across SSA, ensuring:


Sustainable private-sector engagement
Scalable distribution models
Affordable farmer access
Long-term market viability
The BDM will translate pipeline and portfolio strategy into executable, country-level commercial plans.


Scope


Geographic scope: Tier 1 countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia—with a broader multi-country focus across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) depending on the portfolio.
Product focus: Ruminant anti-parasiticides (Trypano, acaricides, endectocides, tick control solutions, diagnostic, identification.
Stakeholder scope: Producer, Importers, distributors, agro-dealers, veterinary networks, government regulators, NGOs, donors, and regional bodies.


Key Activities

Strategic Commercial Development


Develop market potential models and intelligence.
Conduct detailed bottom-up market sizing and financial modelling.
Portfolio development as Tryps (Nagana), acaricides (ear tag and Ixo), tick vaccines and diagnostic in coordination with R&D and potential partners.
Develop and implement a 3 - 5-year SSA commercial development strategy.
Lead structured country prioritization using weighted scoring frameworks.
Define product positioning and segmentation strategies by production system.
Build investment cases and commercial forecasts for internal governance.
Support pricing architecture balancing affordability and sustainability.


Country Market Entry & Expansion


Develop phased country entry strategies (Wave 1, Wave 2, pipeline markets).
Map regulatory timelines and commercial readiness.
Design country-specific go-to-market roadmaps.
Align product launch timing with seasonal parasite pressure.
Evaluate local manufacturing vs centralized supply options from a commercial standpoint.


Private Sector Partner Identification & Management


Identify and pre-qualify importers and distributors in priority countries.
Conduct structured partner capability assessments:
Financial capacity
Regulatory competence
Rural coverage footprint
Technical sales capacity
Portfolio conflict risks
Negotiate distribution agreements and performance expectations.
Develop KPIs and governance structures for distributor management.
Support capacity strengthening of local partners where needed.


Route-to-Market & Demand Creation


Design fit-for-purpose distribution models for:
Pastoralist systems
Agro-pastoral systems
Commercial ranch systems
Dairy Cattle
Support demand generation campaigns and farmer education initiatives.
Develop responsible use and resistance management messaging.
Collaborate with partners to improve rural last-mile access.
Identify financing mechanisms or credit models where affordability is a constraint.


Stakeholder Engagement & Market Shaping


Engage with national veterinary authorities and regulatory bodies.
Coordinate with donor-funded livestock initiatives.
Identify opportunities for public-private collaboration.
Represent GALVmed in regional technical forums and industry platforms.
Contribute to policy discussions related to parasite control and resistance management.


Financial Oversight & Performance Management


Develop and manage commercial performance dashboards.
Develop 5 year LROPs (Long Range Operations Plan)
Monitor revenue projections, penetration rates, and adoption trends.
Track distributor performance and corrective action plans.
Contribute to annual budgeting and portfolio reviews.
Provide quarterly updates to the Head of Commercial Development.


Travel Requirements


40 - 60% travel across Sub-Saharan Africa.


Qualifications / experience required (in order to successfully carry out the job role)

Education:


Vets' degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Master degree on Marketing and/or Business Development.
MBA or equivalent commercial qualification desirable.


Experience:


5 years in animal health, veterinary pharmaceuticals, or livestock input markets.
Experience working across multiple SSA markets.
Demonstrated success launching or expanding veterinary products.
Experience negotiating and managing distribution partnerships.
Proven ability to build financial models and commercial cases.


Skills:


Proficiency in strategic implementation, budget management, and impact monitoring.
Strong relationship-building skills across a variety of stakeholders, including government entities and commercial partners.
Data-driven mindset with experience in impact assessment and reporting.
Strong analytical skills and ability to assess local context including political sensitivities, distil complex situations, determine implications for VITAL 2 and for GALVmed and communicate options and advice to wide range of actors.


Competencies

Technical


Market sizing and financial modelling
Business development and financial acumen
Distribution network design
Regulatory pathway understanding
Partner due diligence and negotiation
Competitive landscape analysis
Commercial risk assessment
Understanding of acaricide resistance dynamics (advantageous)


Strategic


Strategic thinker with operational discipline
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
High level of autonomy and ownership
Cultural intelligence across SSA markets
Ability to balance impact objectives with commercial sustainability
Comfortable operating in ambiguity and emerging markets
Collaborative and cross-functional mindset