Position: Business Development Consultant
1. BACKGROUND
Zambart, incorporated in 2004 as a company limited by guarantee, was originally established in 1988 through a collaboration between the University of Zambia’s School of Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. Initially focused on HIV, TB, and infectious disease research, it has since expanded into other public health areas including sexual and reproductive health, schistosomiasis, water and sanitation, mental health, and COVID-19. This work is supported by a multidisciplinary in-house team with expertise spanning epidemiology, clinical trials, social science, laboratory sciences, operations research, health policy, health economics, implementation research, and community-based research, with meaningful community engagement at the core of all activities. Zambart is a registered public benefit organization under schedule forty-one of the income tax act (ITA) 1966 as amended.
Zambart has built strong expertise across its core mandate areas over the past decades. These include scientific research in epidemiology, clinical trials, and implementation science focused on TB, HIV, and other public health priorities; policy and practice support through close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization to translate evidence into guidelines; advanced laboratory services including genomic sequencing, PCR testing, and diagnostic validation; community engagement through health education, door-to-door sensitization, and Community Advisory Boards; and capacity building by training researchers and strengthening expertise through mentorship, fellowships, and support at Masters, PhD, and postdoctoral levels.
The Zambart strategy 2026-2030 seeks to diversify revenue streams in response to the changing global funding landscape and improve financial sustainability of the organization. In this regard, Zambart has created a commercial department, the Zambart Services Department (ZSD), as a strategic engine to drive this agenda and generate unrestricted funds to support organizational development and growth. The ZSD will leverage Zambart’s decades of scientific research excellence and clinical trials operations; and position the organization as a premier provider of contract research services, high-tier laboratory diagnostics, research governance and compliance training and clinical trial operations.
2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Zambart seeks to engage a Business Development Consultant to develop a comprehensive commercialisation business plan for the ZSD, which will guide the operationalisation of the department and transform its proposed services into market-ready, revenue-generating solutions.
The key objective of this assignment is to prepare a commercialization Business Plan of the ZSD that is aligned with the Zambart 2026-2030 strategic plan.
3. KEY TASKS AND MILESTONES
The consultant will undertake the following tasks and deliverables.
3.1 Situational Assessment
- Conduct situational analysis utilizing existing supporting documentation available at Zambart.
- Identify potential target customers (Zambia only) using structured methodology and describe the gaps identified and what type of services are required.
- Legal & Regulatory Review: Assess the legal framework and policies governing the department's ability to engage in commercial activities and assess the implication of this on the public benefit organization (PBO) status of Zambart. Recommend options for the best appropriate legal status or legal operating arrangement of the commercialisation arm in relation to Zambart’s PBO status.
3.2 Market Research & Validation
- Conduct a market analysis, including identification of potential target customers, determine the market size, identify gaps and opportunities and growth potential for the department's products.
- A market positioning and value proposition framework for ZSD, clearly outlining Zambart’s competitive advantage, target client segments, differentiators, and key messaging to support business development and client engagement.
- Value Proposition: Define the unique selling proposition that differentiates the department's products from market alternatives.
- Pricing Strategy: Develop a competitive pricing structure that allows the department to generate revenue profitably.
3.3 Operational & Implementation Planning
- Review organisational structure and staffing requirements needed to manage commercial operations without disrupting the core mandate of the organisation
- and provide recommended suggestions.
- Develop an internal stakeholder engagement and change management approach to support adoption and operationalisation of ZSD across relevant departments.
- Financial Projections: Create detailed 5-year cash flow and revenue forecasts and a break-even analysis.
- Risk Management assessment at ZSD level as well as organisational level.
3.4 Deliverables
- Develop questionnaire for market analysis. This must be reviewed and approved by Zambart prior to utilization.
- Fully comprehensive Business Plan for the period 2026-2030. This must include the following:
- Executive summary
- Detailed Year 1 implementation plan
- Market analysis feedback
- Market strategy based on the above bullet point
- Competitive pricing structure
- Comprehensive list of suitable products to provide
- Financial projections
- Recommendations
- Fully approved tools for data collection/market analysis
4. Roadmap for year 1, this must include a detailed implementation plan and budget, for the first 12 months of implementation.
4. DURATION
The consultancy is expected to run for 10-12 weeks, with milestone timelines agreed at the contract signing stage
5. REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Consultant will report to the ZSD Head of Department and work closely with the Senior Management Team. Monthly progress updates will be required.
6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Economics, or related fields from a recognised institution
· Demonstrated experience in business development or service commercialisation within the service industry, preferably in the health research or wider health sector.
· Proven experience in identifying market trends, assessing risks, and building long-term business strategies.
· Minimum 5 years’ experience advising non-profit organizations on structural and governance models. Preferably in the Public Health Sector.
· Proven experience in business planning and financial forecasting.
· Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
· Excellent written and presentation skills in English.
7. REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong command of spoken and written English
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders within limited timeframes.
- Ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships across different levels of an organisation.
8. PAYMENT TERMS
Payment shall be based on milestones and subject to acceptance of deliverables by Zambart. No payment shall be made solely based on time elapsed. Payments will be as follows:
· 30% on signing the Consultancy Contract
· 40% on presentation of draft report
· 30% on submission and acceptance by Zambart of the final draft Business Plan document
9. LOCATION
This assignment will be undertaken in Lusaka, Zambia at Zambart.
10. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A cover letter outlining their suitability for the assignment.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for at least three professional referees.
- A concept note (2–3 pages maximum) demonstrating the applicant’s understanding of the assignment, the key priorities they would focus on, and their proposed approach to achieving the objectives of the consultancy. The concept note should clearly reflect the applicants:
o understanding of the ZSD set-up and commercialisation assignment
o appreciation of the strategic and operational requirements needed to establish the unit.
o proposed methodology
o stakeholder engagement approach
Please note: Submission of the concept note is a mandatory requirement and will form an important part of the evaluation process, in addition to the standard application review.
Closing date for receipt of applications is close of Business on 28th April 2026. Submissions should be sent to jobs@zambart.org.zm with a copy to services@zambart.org.zm
