About DEC
The establishment of Development Exchange Centre (DEC) in 1987 was inspired by a research conducted by a group of volunteers from the Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) and the Adult and Non-Formal Education Agency (ANFEA), Bauchi state which highlighted various ways and areas in which women were disadvantaged and marginalized, particularly in the northern part of the country. DEC was conceived as a social enterprise to empower women and improve their living conditions and status through integrated development services and initiatives.
DEC started as a forum to exchange development ideas among practitioners in the industry, but it soon emerged with the mission to deliver both social and economic development services to identified target populations. Over the years DEC has pursued its mission through various capacity building programmes including education; economic empowerment; good governance; health; environment and microcredit services for which DEC is most known and operates in 24 States, with 134 branches.
DEC work in collaboration (including financial, material and technical) from government and non-governmental agencies for its activities which has enhanced the transformation of DEC into an important national resource that has contributed knowledge, skills and expertise to support other organizations to develop and implement innovative programs.
We are recruiting to filled:
Department: Microfinance
Reports to: Microfinance Manager
Job Summary
The Business Development Officer (BDO) will drive the growth of DEC’s overall operations by identifying new business opportunities, expanding market presence, and strengthening relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders. The role includes conducting market and industry research, supporting the development of innovative products and services, and contributing to effective operational and strategic planning. The ideal candidate is results driven, with proven experience in business development, sales, or related functions within Nigeria’s development or service-oriented sectors.
2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Client Acquisition & Relationship Management
- Identify and onboard new clients, turning qualified prospects into active borrowers and partners.
- Build lasting, trust-driven relationships with clients, partners, and community stakeholders.
- Grow and manage an existing client portfolio, ensuring high satisfaction and increased business uptake.
- Conduct regular field visits and client follow-ups to deepen engagement and support business growth.
B. Market Research & Business Intelligence
- Conduct market research, including feasibility studies and competitor analysis.
- Collect and analyze customer feedback, satisfaction surveys, and social performance data.
- Monitor trends in the micro financial services sector and recommend strategic actions.
C. Product Development & Innovation
- Promote existing products/services and present new offerings to prospective clients.
- Participate in product development, pilot testing, and refinement of microcredit products.
- Provide continuous feedback to management on product enhancements and service improvement opportunities.
D. Business Strategy & Growth
- Develop and implement growth strategies that support DEC’s financial goals and operational performance.
- Drive strong yearly results by meeting set targets in investment growth, sales performance, and portfolio health.
- Identify and mobilize funding opportunities from both individual and corporate clients to drive business expansion.
- Work closely with management to review performance, improve processes, and support business forecasting.
E. Proposal Development & Negotiation
- Work with cross functional teams to develop client proposals and business presentations.
- Tailor proposals to client needs, concerns, and strategic priorities.
- Negotiate effectively to close deals and secure new business contracts.
- Represent DEC in a highly professional manner during meetings, presentations, and public engagements
F. Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
- Support the preparation of annual budgets and monitor progress against targets.
- Provide regular progress reports, market insights, and recommendations to the supervisor.
- Track business development activities, client engagement, and lead conversion metrics.
G. Business Development Collaboration
- Consult with mid-and-senior level management on business trends and new opportunities.
- Identify potential campaigns, service enhancements, and new distribution channels to improve productivity.
- Contribute innovative ideas to strengthen DEC’s market position and client value proposition.
3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or HND in business administration, Marketing, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Possession of professional certificate is an added advantage
Experience
- Minimum 2–4 years of experience in business development, microfinance, financial services, or sales.
- Experience working in microcredit operations is highly desirable.
Technical Knowledge
- Understanding of microfinance principles, lending processes, and credit risk.
- Familiarity with market analysis, customer profiling, and product development.
- Knowledge of investment mobilization and financial planning.
4. SKILLS & CORE COMPETENCIES
Technical & Professional Skills
- Strong marketing, sales, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to conduct and interpret market research.
- Financial analysis and business planning skills.
- Proposal writing and presentation abilities.
Behavioral Competencies
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Proactive, disciplined, and target driven.
- High level of integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Application Closing Date:
13 March 2026.
Method of Application:
Suitably qualified candidates should forward their detailed resume/CV and cover letter in a single file to: [email protected] in a word document or PDF format (as any other format would not be considered) using the Job Title as the subject of the email.
Note:
• DEC is an equal-opportunity employer. Only applications submitted through the given channel and within the given period will be considered.
• Women and persons with special needs are encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity.
• DEC brings to the attention of the public that applying for any position is free of charge. No processing fee is required for your application.
• You are not to give any kind of gratification to submit your application.
• Any person found to be paying for or giving any form of gratification will be disqualified.
• Applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis
• You are requested to report any person demanding/giving payment or gratification via [email protected]
