Partnerships Advisor (Resource Mobilization) (Retainer)

The process for developing this Strategy include, but is not limited to:

• Context Analysis: The consultant has to review the 13th five years development plan developed by the Royal Government of Bhutan. In line with the resource mobilization context, the consultant has to do : 

-Identify resource gap: Conduct comprehensive research to better understand the specific needs for a resource mobilization strategy with emphasis on financial and economic analysis to determine the additional funding needed to support the 13th five years strategy of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

-Identify Program focus area: the consultant shall identify pillars of the development plan, identify themes and categorize the program focus with emphasis on the interlinkages of thematic areas. This will help prepare a list of fundraising materials. This shall always give due emphasis for gender and climate action due emphasis.

-Program implementation strategy development: the consultant shall recommend how the programs can be split into projects and how each project shall be implemented. It may be in the form of private sector engagement, PPP, community safety net, government led enterprises, public spending. 

• Strategic donor mapping: Conduct strategic mapping of the existing and potential donors at the national, regional, and global levels. These can range from public, private, non-governmental organizations (NGO), UN, IFIs, and philanthropists. Thematic funding windows need to be explored as well with particular focus on climate change, renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and rural development. Map donors’ areas of interests, priorities, funds available, requirements and guidelines,  funding windows, and interest in supporting the strategic plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The mapping has to study the relationship of existing donors with the government and the best practices and challenges encountered in the past decade.

• Extensive consultations The assignment needs to be undertaken with care to include extensive consultations with the Royal Government of Bhutan at all levels. Consultations also need to be held by UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral donors, multilateral donors, development finance institutions, academia, INGOs, etc. It is also important to validate the proposed strategy and action plan through a validation workshop and to incorporate stakeholder views. 

• Alignment analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify alignment between potential donors and the strategic direction of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Analytical frameworks such as SWOT, PESTLE, QSPM may be utilized. The analysis shall also look teh macro economic trends of the country and analyze the resource gaps. (How much can be availed from the public, from donors and from financial institutions). Prudent macroeconomic leveraging principles need to be considered.

• Risk analysis: conduct the risk matrix of the resource mobilization strategy in a consultative manner with relevant stakeholders.

• Strategy development: Outline clear and specific strategies for resource mobilization and for developing and maintaining relationships with existing and potential donors. Explore opportunities for partnerships with donors, and recommend how to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key donors. The consultant is also expected to draft the concept notes to implement these activities (e.g workshops, fundraising materials, high level delegates negotiations…).

• Action plan development: Create an action plan with clear timelines extending through 2029 to engage with potential donors. The plan should list priority thematic areas aiming at donors that are most aligned with the needs. This shall include how the project appraisal document process shall look like and list of fundraising materials. These materials shall be prepared further with the expected source of funding. (Public, loan, grant)

Deliverables 

The consultant is required to provide some deliverables as below:

• Inception report

• A comprehensive resource mobilization strategy with contents explained above in the scope section. 

• Master proposals (program focus) to potential donors (number to be determined). 

• Institutional fundraising guidelines.

• Validation workshop

• Annex: donor mapping summary

• Master’s degree preferably in  Social Sciences, International development, international relations or a related field is required.

• A relevant Bachelor degree in combination with two years of relevant professional experience would be accepted in lieu of a Master degree.

Experience

• A minimum 7 years of proven work experience in resource mobilization, partnerships management, donor proposals writing and funding strategy development. 

• He/she must have at least 7 years of practical experience in programmes related to international development with a focus on Soiuth Asia is required . 

• Experience with engagement with the government strategic plan and resources mobilization strategy  development is required. 

•  Demonstrated Experience in writing bankable  proposal(s). Candidates may be required to submit samples of such proposals.

• Knowledge of relevant sectors and geographic areas, and access to key stakeholders including governmental and relevant information sources in the geographical areas in question is desirable.

• Strong skills and proven experience in project formulation, and related requirements, including logical frameworks and budgets is an advantage. 

• Experience working with WB, ADB, UN or other international organizations is an advantage.

• Experience in macroeconomic analysis and big data is a distinct advantage