Description
Background:
CRS and Mercy Corps co-host the Markets in Crisis Community of Practice (MiC CoP) which aims at enhancing and supporting the collaboration of a diverse group of emergency and development practitioners from multiple regions, so that they apply good practices to design and implement high quality market-based programming (MBP) in crisis contexts. Officially created in February 2014, the MiC CoP provides a platform for various actors engaging with markets in crisis-affected contexts to discuss ideas and experiences, share resources and learning, and foster greater collaboration to improve market-based programming in practice. MiC aims to facilitate links between those whose work focuses on crisis responses and those who are more concerned with longer-term market functioning and development. MiC members come from diverse backgrounds: NGOs, donors, academics, UN agencies and the private sector. The MiC platform offers a range of ways for community members to engage โ through an online discussion group, a searchable resource library, webinars, networking events, calls for evidence, and facilitated live discussion forums.
Collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of the MiC Hosting Consortiumโs vision for the future of the MiC CoP. Since its inception, MiC has been overseen by an experienced advisory committee (AC), whose role is to provide strategic and operational direction to the MiC CoP โ developing its learning agenda and annual priorities, providing technical inputs to learning events and knowledge products, and representing the CoP to stakeholders.
With funding from SDC, MiC has 18 months to develop a plan for its future growth, impact, and funding. Therefore, the consortium hosts are interested in developing a long-term vision for the direction, development and sustainability of MiC.
Purpose / Project Description:
The hosting consortium, under the technical oversight of the MiC AC, aims to develop a high-level strategy and a sustainability plan. For this purpose, Mercy Corps is seeking a consultant to lead this work, through key informant interviews (KIIs), thorough consultations with the MiC Advisory Committee (AC) and a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), input from MiC Practitioners, and the hosting consortium, while closely collaborating with MiC Facilitator and Learning Advisor.
Consultant Objectives:
The consultant will develop a viable Strategy and Sustainability plan which takes into consideration the MiC CoPโs value proposition in a changing aid context and its comparative advantage. This will include: a high level vision and strategic priorities for the MiC for the next 3 years and resource mobilisation strategy and plan, including mapping of potential resourcing options and donors alongside a plan for operationalizing fundraising activities.
Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
Conduct KIIs with key stakeholders to inform the high-level strategy, including: potential donors, community members, stakeholders from complementary learning platforms, and fundraising/donor engagement experts
Develop a high-level strategy that outlines how MiC can maximize its impact through outreach, activities and resource mobilization. This will include priorities for the MiC for 3 years that relate to increasing outreach and engagement within the CoP, facilitating engagement from practitioners where MBP is implemented and diversifying membership, and developing a sustainable model for the CoP. The audience for this strategy will be the MiC hosting consortium and AC primarily, with a summarised version able to be shared with CoP members (max 5 pages)
Develop resource mobilization strategy to ensure sustainability of the MiC CoP and availability of resources for long-term engagement, with the goal of attracting at least $80,000 in funding over a 1-year period and advance conversations with 4 high potential donors. The strategy will include:
Recommended funding models to sustain MiC (with a focus on next 2 years)
Identification of a list of priority donors for follow-up that demonstrate significant interest in MiC, donor communication pathways and understanding of their priorities
A donor engagement plan, including stakeholder engagement plan and contact lists (channels and individuals for outreach), recommended pitches for priority donors, recommendations for fundraising materials, and identification of priority activities over a 12 month period needed to reach resourcing targets (and key roles for AC and hosting consortium)
Plan should include short-term priorities (for the next 2 years) as well as medium term priorities (for >2 years) and an identification of
Engage with the MiC TAG, AC, and Hosting Consortium to identify specific potential donors, contacts, and MiC connections and for feedback on the high-level strategy and resource mobilization plan.
Consultant Deliverables:
Interview questions and notes from KIIs
High-level vision and strategy (draft and final)
Resource mobilization strategy and plan (draft and final, including stakeholder engagement plan, suggested pitches and needed fundraising resources, and additional priority actions)
Mini- workshop with AC hosting-consortium on draft strategy and resource mobilization plan
Stakeholder mapping (list/tracker form)
Timeframe / Schedule:
This SOW will be for 15 days, covering August 15th โ January 31st , with expected completion of deliverables in December.
The Consultant will report to:
Alison Hemberger โ Director, Market Systems
The Consultant will work closely with:
Program Officer โ Evidence and Learning
CRS team (MiC Coordinator, Market Based Rapid Response and Recovery Team Lead, Food Security and Markets Advisor)
Mercy Corps MiC Learning Advisor
MiC Advisory Committee
MiC Technical Advisory Group (TAG) members
Required Experience & Skills:
10+ years of experience working on or supporting MBP in crisis contexts
Experience facilitating cross-organization communities of practice
Experience developing and/or driving strategies within or across aid organizations
Experience leading donor engagement and knowledge of donors that support MBP
Previous experience and familiarity with MiC is a benefit
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