Business Development Strategy Consultant

Job Description

Purpose of the consultancy

Working under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP), the Consultant will be responsible for the development of the Business Development Strategy, supporting the IRC’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP). The position will liaise with the DDP, Country Director, Deputy Director Finance (DDF), Program and Grants Coordinators, and key awards management and technical staff based in HQ to triangulate donor information and leverage existing IRC resources.

The Consultant will analyze IRC Sierra Leone’s current and historical portfolio of funding, and conduct research to identify a pipeline of vetted potential new donors, including public foundations, private foundations, corporate philanthropy, and individuals, in support of new business development which aligns with the SAP.

The proposed assignment will start in March for a period lasting three (3) months, including a planned one (1) week of in-country time to facilitate a workshop, with the remainder of the work to be completed remotely.

Deliverables:

1. Donor / fundraising mapping & competitive analysis

Develop donor database: Identify, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone, regional and HQ teams, key donor contacts, taking note of particularly strategic donors and compile them into a list of key contacts.

Produce a detailed analysis of funding trends and key priorities and processes for identified donors.

Gather detailed intelligence on donor and partner perception of IRC from relevant sources including IRC staff, partners, key donors, and desk research to inform a competitive analysis of IRC

Produce high-level overview report of competitive landscape and funding landscape, taking into account and IRC’s SAP priorities and unique advantages and competitiveness in individual strategic donors.

2. Facilitate in-country workshop

Building off of desk research and primary data collected lead a week-long in-country workshop with IRC Sierra Leone staff and partners to inform BD Strategy through participatory process

3. Business Development strategy

Develop a business development strategy document for IRC Sierra Leone including the following:

Based on detailed review of the SAP, IRC sector Theories of Change, updated competitive landscape, and donor mapping, triangulate donor priorities and strategies into IRC’s priorities and strengths, noting key areas of overlap and key opportunities for greater engagement.

Compile and analyze feedback from in country workshop to inform gaps, priorities, and action points.

Present a SWOT analysis within the document to detail, in a digestible manner, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for IRC to engage donors based on the above findings.

Highlight key points for advocacy, capacity building, coordination and communications within the business development strategy.

4. Donor Engagement Plan

Based on the Business Development Strategy, devise a donor engagement and fundraising action pla for key identified donors with detailed breakdown for each quarter/ year of the strategy, specifying strategies for existing donors and for new donors, with a particular focus on rapidly diversifying the current portfolio.

Qualifications

Job Requirements: Fluent English skills (written and verbal) required. Bachelor’s degree in relevant field including international development, etc. Master’s degree preferred. Familiarity with Sierra Leonean context and West Africa context required. Familiarity with key institutional donors essential. Familiarity with key private foundations preferred. At least five years of experience working in fundraising/grants management/program management, proposal/business development/design, in the humanitarian or development sectors required. Prior experience conducting similar consultancies/activities. Good communicator with strong organizational and time management skills. Excellent analytical and writing skills. Excellent inter-personal, cultural and diplomatic skills; flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. Excellent research, data analysis/synthesis, writing, facilitation, and presentation skills. High-performing and receptive to feedback Excellent organization skills with strong attention to detail Strong computer skills required, including use of file sharing/BOX, communication, and MS Office package software at an advanced level.

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