Business Development Officer
Recruit Finds
Nairobi, Kenya
Job summary
Business Development Officer AT Eni
About this role
Business Development Officer Job at Eni Natural Energies Kenya EPZ Ltd – Nairobi
Eni Natural Energies Kenya EPZ Ltd is seeking a Business Development Officer to join its team in Nairobi. This is a fixed-term opportunity for a commercially minded professional who can identify new business opportunities, develop strong client relationships, research markets, and support the organization's wider commercial objectives.
The position is suited to someone who enjoys working with clients and stakeholders while also looking at the bigger business picture. The successful candidate will be expected to understand market developments, identify potential opportunities, build strategic relationships, and contribute to the establishment of a strong B2B function.
The job reference number for this opportunity is 33690, and advanced English language skills are required.
Understanding the Business Environment
Eni Natural Energies Kenya EPZ Ltd operates within the energy sector while focusing on agricultural development and the wider transition toward more sustainable energy.
The company's activities include the development of sustainable oilseed crops. These include castor beans cultivated on degraded land, croton trees grown through agroforestry systems, and other agro-industrial by-products such as cottonseed.
An important part of the project involves the development of agro-processing facilities known as Agri-Hubs.
These facilities are designed to support the extraction of oil from non-edible oilseeds, with the resulting feedstock used in biorefineries for biofuel production.
The Agri-Hubs also serve broader functions by supporting income generation, market access, training, and technical assistance.
The company's activities are connected to sustainable agriculture, soil regeneration, food security, and Kenya's efforts toward decarbonisation.
For the Business Development Officer, understanding this environment will be important when identifying commercial opportunities and communicating with potential clients and partners.
The Business Development Mission
The central purpose of the position is to help the organization grow commercially.
The Business Development Officer will look for opportunities that can strengthen the company's market position while ensuring that existing and prospective clients receive solutions that are relevant to their needs.
This requires a combination of research, relationship management, commercial awareness, and initiative.
The successful candidate will not simply wait for business opportunities to appear. They will actively research markets, monitor industry developments, connect with stakeholders, and evaluate potential opportunities.
The role also requires the ability to turn market information into practical business opportunities.
Building Strong Client Relationships
Client management will be one of the key areas of responsibility.
The Business Development Officer will maintain and develop relationships with existing clients while also engaging with prospective customers.
This involves continuously understanding what clients need and how those needs may change over time.
Rather than offering the same solution to every customer, the successful candidate will consult with clients and identify products or solutions that are appropriate for their particular requirements.
The officer will also act as an important point of contact throughout the client engagement.
This means maintaining communication, responding to evolving requirements, and helping ensure that clients receive appropriate support during their relationship with the organization.
Strong relationship management will therefore be essential to the position.
Finding New Business Opportunities
A major part of business development is identifying where future growth could come from.
The successful candidate will continuously monitor markets and industry trends through research, networking, and regional benchmarking.
This information will be used to identify opportunities that could contribute to business growth.
The officer will also evaluate new business opportunities across the organization.
This requires an understanding of the commercial environment and the ability to assess whether a potential opportunity is worth pursuing.
The position also involves analysing potential competitors and keeping track of changes in the sector.
By understanding competitors and changes in the market, the Business Development Officer can help the organization make more informed commercial decisions.
Turning Research Into Commercial Action
Market research will not be carried out simply for information gathering.
The information collected should help the organization understand where opportunities exist and how it can respond to changing market conditions.
The successful candidate will need to assess the commercial landscape, identify emerging possibilities, and communicate useful findings to the relevant teams.
This makes analytical thinking an important part of the role.
A strong candidate should be able to look at market information, identify meaningful patterns, and consider how those developments may affect business opportunities.
Developing Strategic Partnerships
Partnership development will also be central to the role.
The Business Development Officer will arrange and facilitate meetings with decision-makers in target organizations.
The objective will be to establish and strengthen strategic partnerships that can support commercial growth.
This requires confidence when engaging senior stakeholders and the ability to communicate the organization's value proposition clearly.
Once relationships are established, the officer will also be expected to maintain effective communication channels with stakeholders.
Successful partnerships depend on consistent engagement, so relationship management will continue beyond the initial meeting.
Establishing the B2B Function
One of the more strategic elements of this position is the opportunity to help establish a B2B function within the organization.
The Business Development Officer will provide leadership in designing and executing a strategy that supports commercial growth objectives.
This means thinking beyond individual sales opportunities and helping create a structured approach to business development.
The successful candidate will contribute to the execution of the organization's strategic and annual business plans.
This responsibility requires someone who can connect day-to-day commercial activities with broader organizational goals.
Working Across the Organization
Business development often requires cooperation between different areas of a company.
The successful candidate will need to work collaboratively with other teams and stakeholders to support commercial objectives.
Cross-functional collaboration is therefore one of the competencies required for the position.
The Business Development Officer will also be expected to promote a culture that reflects the organization's values and commercial vision.
This means combining commercial ambition with professional conduct and a commitment to the organization's wider objectives.
What Eni Is Looking For
The position requires a candidate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Marketing, or a related discipline.
A relevant postgraduate qualification would be an advantage.
Applicants should have relevant experience in business development, sales, or another commercial role.
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate a history of managing client relationships and contributing to business growth.
Experience in the energy, oil and gas, or a related sector is highly desirable.
The role requires someone who understands commercial opportunities and can combine relationship-building with strategic thinking.
Key Competencies
Several qualities will be important in succeeding in this position.
Business acumen will help the candidate understand commercial opportunities and how business decisions affect growth.
Strategic thinking will be important when developing the B2B function and supporting the organization's plans.
Market analysis and research skills will help identify trends, competitors, and new opportunities.
Negotiation and stakeholder engagement will be essential when dealing with clients and potential partners.
Strong written and verbal communication skills will also be required, particularly because the position involves regular interaction with clients and decision-makers.
The successful candidate should also be self-motivated and proactive, with the confidence to take initiative and provide leadership when required.
A Look at Eni
Eni is a global energy company operating in 61 countries with more than 30,000 employees.
The company has evolved from its origins as an oil and gas company into an integrated energy business involved in energy security and the energy transition.
Eni has stated a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through the decarbonisation of its processes and the products it sells.
Its areas of interest include renewable energy, bio-refining, carbon capture and storage, and research into technologies that could contribute to future energy systems.
Within Kenya, the Natural Energies business is focused on activities connecting agriculture, sustainable energy, and the development of biofuel-related value chains.
Working at Eni
Eni places emphasis on people, innovation, continuous learning, diversity, and inclusion.
The organization promotes training and development while also paying attention to employee well-being, welfare, and work-life balance.
Applications are assessed with consideration for diversity and the different skills and experiences candidates can bring to the organization.
Candidates whose profiles closely match the requirements may be contacted to continue through the selection process.
Position Details
Job Title: Business Development Officer
Company: Eni Natural Energies Kenya EPZ Ltd
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Reference: 33690
Contract: Fixed-term
Language: Advanced English
Sector: Energy and sustainable development
How to Apply
Applications for this position are accepted only through Eni's online application system.
Applicants should prepare and upload their CV in English.
Candidates interested in the opportunity should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their experience in business development, sales, client relationship management, market research, stakeholder engagement, and commercial growth.
Experience in the energy, oil and gas, or related sectors should also be highlighted where applicable.
Who Should Consider This Opportunity?
This opportunity could suit a business development professional who wants to work within an energy environment while contributing to a business involved in sustainable agriculture and the energy transition.
It is particularly relevant for someone who enjoys identifying opportunities, building relationships, researching markets, and developing partnerships.
The role combines commercial activity with strategic responsibilities, making it suitable for a professional who wants to contribute beyond individual client accounts and help establish a broader B2B growth strategy.
For a proactive candidate with strong commercial awareness, relationship management skills, and an interest in sustainable energy and business development, the Business Development Officer position in Nairobi offers an opportunity to contribute to the growth of Eni Natural Energies Kenya EPZ Ltd.