Philanthropy Consultant

Type of contract: Consultancy

Duration of contract: June 2025-December 2026

Deadline for applications: 10 June 2025 at 05:00 pm CET

Late applications will not be considered

CGIAR’s Donor Relations and Business Development (DRBD) unit is responsible for driving strategic initiatives to engage with new and existing funders, secure sustainable funding, and diversify funding sources across CGIAR. To support this mission, DRBD is seeking a consultant with proven fundraising experience and an established network of contacts in the philanthropic sector to identify and establish a pipeline of major funding investment opportunities to support CGIAR’s programs.

The objective of this assignment is to develop a robust and actionable short-medium term engagement plan with targeted philanthropies, build networks with new philanthropic partners, develop a pipeline of funding proposals with promising prospects, and position CGIAR to increase its global impact. The consultant will enhance and expand CGIAR’s current donor engagement by opening doors to new philanthropic contacts and expanding its current pipeline.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

The Consultant’s responsibilities will include:

· Identification of 5-10 high priority and promising philanthropic organizations including high net worth individuals (HNWIs) mapped to CGIAR’s mandate and strategy.

· Development of targeted engagement strategy (with implementation plan, timelines, and responsibilities) for priority prospects including appropriate messaging in coordination with Communications team to support strategy and investment case.

· Ongoing opportunity assessment and review of philanthropic funding opportunities that align with CGIAR’s goals and priorities.

o Review existing strategic documents, previous studies done, donor portfolios, and funding history.

o Analyse market trends and stakeholder expectations in CGIAR’s thematic areas.

· Present engagement strategy to DRBD Team and CGIAR senior leadership.

· Implement approved strategies, together with DRBD Team and CGIAR senior leadership, engaging directly with potential funders to cultivate and develop opportunities for funding.

· Lead funding proposals, as required, developing tools and templates for proposal writing/development and partnership management for DRBD Team.

· Deliver training/information session to CGIAR’s RM Community of Practice.

Expected Outcomes/Deliverables:

The Consultant is expected to deliver:

· Inception report outlining methodology, process, and timelines to identify key prospects.

· List of 5-10 high priority philanthropic prospects identified and mapped to CGIAR’s mandate and strategy.

· Targeted engagement strategies developed for each high priority prospect.

· Assessment and review of CGIAR’s philanthropic funding opportunities on an ongoing basis.

· Presentation of engagement strategies to DRBD Team and CGIAR senior leadership.

· Prospective funder contacts established, engagement cultivated, and opportunity development conducted in support of approved engagement strategy.

· Manage development and submission of narratives, concept notes, and funding proposals as required to support engagement strategy.

· A set of tools and templates for philanthropic funder engagement and proposal development.

· Delivery of training workshops and/or information sessions to CGIAR’s Resource Mobilization community.

· Final report.

Benefits

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the 'Apply' button below. If you require assistance or face challenges in submitting your application, please email smo-bidding@cgiar.org with the position title in the subject line. Please note we will not accept applications through this email.

Please ensure that your resume and cover letter are in English and do not contain your marital status, age, or photograph. Documents provided in a language other than English will not be considered.

CGIAR is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational, and multi-disciplinary, collegial working environment. We consciously create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

All received applications will be acknowledged; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

We look forward to hearing from you!