Background
Innovation for Change (I4C) is a growing global network of people, organizations and online Hubs with seven (7) connected Regional Centres in Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia and the Pacific. An eighth Global Innovation Hub, co-facilitated by CIVICUS, supports project implementation and drives innovation across the entire network.
Its networks spark collaborations within civil society as well as partnerships with social and technology businesses and academia. It helps power methods, create campaigns, and drive program development across sectors by offering advisory services, education and training, convening and network building, fundraising, free online tools/digital literacy, and support with technology product development.
The I4C Africa Hub is seeking a Consultant to develop a Resourcing and Sustainability Strategy.
The Consultant will be expected to conduct an assessment of fundraising possibilities that align with the I4C Africa Hub’s mandate, as well as provide practical recommendations that the Hub can use to develop and maintain strategic partnerships and engagements with key donors, the private sector and foundations.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The Consultancy’s objective is to develop the I4C Africa Hub’s own Resourcing and Sustainability Strategy and establish a clear overview of current and potential funding opportunities for the Hub to increase its long-term sustainability. Using both the Hub’s Five-Year (5-Year) Strategic Plan and Resource Mobilization Strategy (RMS), the Consultant will conduct fundraising research in African philanthropic markets to identify and qualify foundation and corporate African prospects that will culminate in the development of the Hub’s Resourcing and Sustainability Strategy.
The I4C Africa Hub aims to use this document as a guide to implement strategies that can help it to raise funds and establish long-term independent funding.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will be expected to do the following:
- Review the I4C Africa Hub’s funding history; Five-Year (5-Year) Strategic Plan; Resource Mobilization Strategy (RMS), Work Plans; Project Proposals, Products and Services to assess its capacity and prospect for long-term fundraising, actions and partnerships;
- Consult with the I4C Africa Hub Team (which includes Staff, Board members, and key stakeholders) to better understand the organization’s vision, mission, and focus areas and the needs of the organization to help it position itself for resource mobilization;
- Map the I4C Africa Hub’s Products and Services to identify funding gaps;
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential donors worldwide based on geographic and thematic interest and assess the feasibility of securing multi-year, core, and thematic funding. This task includes a review of existing trends in funding to civil society organization (CSO) fundraising;
- Map donors’ strategic areas of interest and explore opportunities for partnerships from emerging donors;
- Develop a plan to engage new donors (traditional and non-traditional);
- Develop objectives for fundraising, methods, strategies, and focus (bilateral, private sector, public funding, foundations);
- Recommend strategies to develop and maintain strategic partnerships and engagement with key donors;
- Draft master fundraising proposal(s) aligned with the new Strategy;
- Develop a series of fundraising materials (print and digital) to secure funding/raise the profile of the I4C Africa Hub, including website content; and
- Develop fundraising guidelines.
- An Inception Report that takes stock of the current funding stream and funding outlook;
- A comprehensive Resourcing and Sustainability Strategy that includes an overview of the situation, a critical analysis of past fundraising experience, explores future opportunities and strategies and outlines a time-bound action plan to raise funds systematically;
- An Annex that maps donor interests in Africa: priorities, funding windows, typical funding amounts, focal points, samples of successful project applications, and points to clear actions that should be taken to mobilize resources and develop and maintain relationships with donors;
- A series of Fundraising Materials, both print and digital, including website content;
- A Funding Model suitable to the I4C Africa Hub;
- Master Proposals to potential donors (number to be determined); and
- Institutional Fundraising Guidelines.
Duration and TimeframeThe Consultancy is scheduled for a period of up to three (3) months, October – December 2022.
Assignment and Supervision
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the I4C Africa Regional Hub Manager with technical and advisory support provided by the I4C Africa Hub Senior Grants Specialist. In ensuring the quality of the work undertaken, an Inception Meeting will be held between the I4C Africa Hub and the Consultant to agree on expectations, Scope of the Work, and a specific Work Plan on the basis of the Inception Report. Regular briefing by the Consultant will be provided to the I4C Africa Hub Regional Manager and Senior Grants Specialist. Prior to the Consultant concluding the assignment, a debrief meeting will be held to discuss any pending issues which require further follow-up.
The Consultant is expected to work remotely using their own equipment (e.g., laptop, mobile phone etc.) or from the premises of the I4C Africa Hub Offices.
Criteria and Eligibility
The main competencies required from the Consultant are:
- University degree preferably in Social Sciences or Development-related Studies, Marketing, Communications Planning, Business Administration, or a related field;
- At least five (5) years’ experience in the development and/or private sector. Familiarity with NGOs and/or focus on civil society grant-making;
- Excellent knowledge of critical donors in the development space;
- Proven track record of generating significant funding. At least three (3) years’ experience in resource mobilization and sourcing potential funding opportunities, as well as fundraising tools;
- Familiarity with proposal development and responding to calls to secure funding as part of long-term sustainability efforts;
- Must have carried out at least three (3) similar assignments in the last five (5) years;
- Excellent research and prospecting skills with an ability to combine desk research with knowledge around relevant funder networks;
- Experience and expertise in developing and maintaining good relationships with institutional donors or corporations;
- Experience of working in multicultural contexts;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; and
- Strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills and ability to work under tight deadlines.
Application ProcessInterested candidates must submit:
- A Cover Letter with an Expression of Interest.
- A Resume or CV showing experience relevant to the Consultancy.
- A Technical Proposal not exceeding four (4) pages detailing:
- Understanding of the ToR;
- An outline of the Methodological Approach for the assignment; and
- Activity Schedule (duration: 36 working days for a maximum period of 3 months).
- Evidence of at three similar consultancies carried out for regional or international organisations
The Proposal and Supporting Documents must be submitted in English.The Proposal and required Documents must be sent by email to the I4C Africa Hub at [email protected] by COB (East Africa Time/EAT) of 3rd November 2022.
Please use I4C Africa Hub Resourcing and Sustainability Strategy Application in the reference/subject line of your email.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview at the end of the Technical Evaluation process to assess the Consultant’s understanding of the ToR. The time frame for the Deliverables will be discussed and agreed upon with the selected Consultant after reviewing the proposed Methodology.
Should you not hear from us within two (2) weeks of your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.