Role Overview & Key Responsibilities

The Business Strategy Manager leads the development and execution of IEA Tanzania’s strategic growth plans, grant funding pipelines, and high-level stakeholder advocacy. Operating from Arusha and reporting directly to the Country Director, this position drives business performance monitoring, donor relations, and strategic partnerships across the renewable energy sector.

Fundraising, Grants & Donor Management: Identify funding needs, write competitive grant proposals, oversee allocation and disbursement targets, and serve as the main operational contact for donor partners and government bodies.

Strategy & Market Analysis: Drive cross-functional strategic plans, track macroeconomic trends, and perform ongoing competitive landscape analyses of Tanzania’s Solar Home System (SHS) and energy markets.

Business Planning & Performance: Support executive reporting (CEO MBR, QBRs, War Room updates), build Single-Source-of-Truth management dashboards (SQL, Excel), and implement performance tracking tools (ROI and efficiency metrics).

Networking, Advocacy & CSR: Represent IEA Tanzania in national and international forums, manage relationships with government and sector decision-makers, advocate for off-grid energy policies, and execute CSR programs.

Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and manage performance for the Grants & Strategy team, cultivating a high-performance culture aligned with IEA values.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Development Finance, Social Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a Business or Social field is an added advantage.

Experience: Minimum 7 years of management experience, with at least 2 years working alongside senior executive leadership.

Technical & Soft Skills:

• Advanced computer literacy and analytical capabilities (Advanced Excel, SQL, PowerPoint, data visualization tools).
• Demonstrated expertise in grant proposal writing, donor compliance, and portfolio management.
• Deep understanding of Tanzanian government structures, policy advocacy, and public relations.
• Complete fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili.

Institutional Commitments & Policy Statements

Equal Employment Opportunity & Non-Discrimination: Ignite Energy Access is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. Applications are screened solely on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to origin, age, gender, marital status, religion, disability, or citizenship.

Zero Tolerance for Corruption & Fraud: Ignite Energy Access maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding fraud, corruption, bribery, and unethical practices. All employees and applicants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and business conduct.

• Lead the development and execution of IEA Tanzania’s strategic growth plans, grant funding pipelines, and high-level stakeholder advocacy.
• Drive business performance monitoring, donor relations, and strategic partnerships across the renewable energy sector.
• Identify funding needs, write competitive grant proposals, oversee allocation and disbursement targets.
• Serve as the main operational contact for donor partners and government bodies.
• Drive cross-functional strategic plans.
• Track macroeconomic trends.
• Perform ongoing competitive landscape analyses of Tanzania’s Solar Home System (SHS) and energy markets.
• Support executive reporting (CEO MBR, QBRs, War Room updates).
• Build Single-Source-of-Truth management dashboards (SQL, Excel).
• Implement performance tracking tools (ROI and efficiency metrics).
• Represent IEA Tanzania in national and international forums.
• Manage relationships with government and sector decision-makers.
• Advocate for off-grid energy policies.
• Execute CSR programs.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage performance for the Grants & Strategy team.
• Cultivate a high-performance culture aligned with IEA values.

• Advanced computer literacy
• Analytical capabilities
• Advanced Excel
• SQL
• PowerPoint
• Data visualization tools
• Grant proposal writing
• Donor compliance
• Portfolio management
• Understanding of Tanzanian government structures
• Policy advocacy
• Public relations
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Fluency in written and spoken Swahili

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Finance, Social Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a Business or Social field is an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years of management experience.
• At least 2 years working alongside senior executive leadership.