Resource Mobilization and Donor Engagement Expert for Diakonia in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia

1. Presentation and Background

Diakonia is a faith-based Swedish development organization. We support and work with around 400 local civil society organizations and movements in 25 countries. Our vision is a just and sustainable world where all people live in dignity, free from poverty. Diakonia’s vision includes all people irrespective of religion, gender, ethnicity, colour, sexual orientation, language, ideological or political beliefs, national or social origin, property, age, birth, or any other status. Our goal is to change unfair political, economic, social, and cultural structures that generate poverty, oppression, and violence. We apply the human rights-based approach and our feminist principles throughout our work. Our expertise is in human rights, democratization, social and economic justice, gender equality, conflict and justice and emergency response and disaster resilience. We are funded by Sida, EU, FCDO, other European governments and various philanthropic foundations such as Ford, Hewlett, Gates Foundation.

The Diakonia Regional Office in Africa is now seeking a dynamic and qualified consultant to provide expert support in updating the resource mobilisation plans for our programmes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia. The assignment includes developing tailored engagements plans for existing and new donors and enhancing the capacity of country staff and partners to undertake strategic donor engagement and developt high-quality proposals.

2.Objectives

The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance Diakonia’s capacity to expand sustainable funding and donor support for its programmes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia through robust resource mobilisation plans and effective donor engagement.

3.Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for leading the development of updated resource mobilisation plans tailored to the specific contexts of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia, firmly aligned with Diakonia country and programme strategies as well as donor priorities and trends. This includes:

1. Assessing current resource mobilisation approaches and experiences;

2. Identifying funding opportunities for national programme priorities as well as for regional and cross-country programmes that address common challenges or leverage synergies across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia;

3. Developing tailored donor engagement plans for existing and new donors (institutional donors, private foundations, and other private donors), and mapping of available funding opportunities for each of the three country programmes;

4. Working closely with relevant teams within Diakonia to produce high-quality capacity statements, and outlines for presentations, concept notes, and proposals that effectively communicate Diakonia’s programmes, impact, and funding needs to potential donors;

5. Providing technical support, training, and guidance to Diakonia country staff and partners on strategic donor engagement and high-quality proposal development.

   4.Approach:

It is expected that the consultant presents clear and appropriate methodologies and tools for the assignment. The proposed methodologies and tools should be grounded in the human rights-based approach and with a gender perspective. Travel is not expected under this assignment.

5.Implementation Timeframe:

The consultancy is expected to start on 2 May, 2024 and conclude by 30 Oct, 2024 with a total duration of 6 months.

6.Outputs and Reporting requirements:

The consultant will deliver the following:

7. Item & Submission deadline

1.Updated and detailed workplan and budget for the assignment – 6 May 2024

2.Draft resource mobilisation plans for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia. 3 June 2024

3.High-quality capacity statements tailored to each country’s funding priorities and opportunities (at least two per country), with pre-populated templates for concept notes, proposals, and PowerPoint presentations. Gender, conflict, and environmental mainstreaming perspectives must be integrated in the final products. 1 July 2024

4.Training materials and guidance documents for Diakonia staff on strategic donor engagement and high-quality proposal development. 31 Aug 2024

5.Training of Diakonia country staff and partners in Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia. 30 Sep 2024

6.A final report that includes an account of the tasks and activities conducted, highlighting achievements, obstacles encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations tailored for Diakonia global and each of the three country programs. Additionally, all approved documentation produced throughout this assignment provided in an annex. 31 Oct 2024

The consultant will report directly to the Deputy Regional Director, Donor Relations, at Diakonia Africa.

8. Qualifications:

1. Degree in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, or communication.
2. Proven experience in resource mobilisation, fundraising, and pro-active donor engagement with institutional donors and with private foundations in the field of international development cooperation.
3. Proven expertise in conducting assessments of funding trends and developing resource mobilisation strategies to achieve strategic objectives.
4. Exceptional writing skills with the ability to craft clear, compelling, and persuasive documents, including capacity statements, concept notes, presentations, and proposals.
5. In-depth knowledge of the donor landscape and funding mechanisms relevant to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia.
6. Strong analytical, planning, communication, and facilitation skills.
7. Fluency in English and proficiency in French.
8. Demonstrated experience working with NGOs or international organisations in similar capacities.

9.Budget

The consultancy budget will be negotiated based on the consultant’s daily rate and estimated number of days required to complete the tasks outlined in these ToR. Should travel be required, an addendum to the agreement will be negotiated.

10.Mode of Payment:

The budget must be clearly presented in USD and is to be agreed and paid through bank payment within 15 days based on the invoices issued by the consultant. 50 % upon signature, 30 % upon delivery by the consultant and approval by Diakonia of items 1-5 in section 6 above, and 20 % upon delivery of final report (item 6).

11.Terms and conditions

The consultant is responsible for his/her insurances and personal income tax in accordance with national laws for the country where his/her company is registered as well as in the country where the consultant permanently resides. The consultant is required to sign and follow Diakonia’s code of conduct which will be annexed to the service contract.

12.Evaluation criteria

• Relevance of Methodology and Tools:
  • Understanding of the assignment objectives and scope, addressing all key components of a resource mobilisation plan (e.g. situation analysis, assessment of past and current resource mobilisation approaches, changing context and donor trends, objectives, value propositions/USPs, donor mapping, diversification and sustainability, donor engagement plan, capacity building, etc.);
  • Appropriateness of the proposed tools;
• Experience and Expertise:
  • Relevance of experience in resource mobilisation, donor engagement, and proposal development, particularly in the context of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Somalia;
  • Understanding of the key stakeholders, including existing and potential donors (institutional, foundations, and other private donors);
  • Demonstrated proficiency in writing and communicating effectively in French and English;
  • Demonstrated experience in developing successful donor engagement plans and high-quality proposals for similar organisations;
• Clarity and feasibility of workplan;
• Appropriateness of approach to capacity building and training of country staff and partners;
• Value for Money:
  • Justification of costs in relation to the scope and complexity of the assignment;
  • Value for money in terms of quality and effectiveness of the proposed services.