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Terms of Reference
Senior Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Consultant
1. Background
The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is a multi-donor partnership dedicated to supporting the least developed countries (LDCs) in using trade and investment as drivers of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.
EIF Phase Three (2025–2031) marks a strategic shift from traditional Aid for Trade programming towards a stronger emphasis on trade-related investment, private sector engagement, value addition, industrialization and innovative financing. Delivering this vision requires broadening the EIF's funding base and establishing strategic partnerships with emerging bilateral donors, philanthropic organizations, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, private sector corporations and impact investors.
To support this strategic transition, the Executive Secretariat for the EIF (ES) seeks an experienced senior consultant to help expand its resource mobilization and partnership portfolio.
2. Duration
Up to 40 working days.
3. Reporting
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Executive Director of the ES and in close collaboration with the Head of Partnerships and Outreach.
4. Objective and duties
The objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the EIF's resource mobilization capacity by identifying, engaging and advancing strategic partnerships with non-traditional funding partners and innovative financing institutions in support of EIF Phase Three.
4.1. Key functions and responsibilities
In alignment with EIF Phase Three priorities, develop and connect the ES with high-level relationships with non-traditional donors and innovative financing sources.
The Consultant will perform the following tasks in line with the overall approved EIF Resource Mobilization Strategy:
Develop a practical engagement roadmap outlining priority partners, entry points, engagement strategies, timelines and recommended actions aligned with EIF Phase Three objectives and LDC priorities.
Facilitate strategic partnerships and potential funding partners engagement.
Initiate, facilitate and broker introductions between the ES and targeted funding partners.
Provide strategic advice on funders' positioning, partnership opportunities and engagement approaches tailored to different categories of prospective partners.
Support high-level engagements
Prepare and coordinate formal engagements between the ES, EIF Executive Board (EB) Members and prospective funding partners, including bilateral meetings, missions, regional visits and participation in relevant international events.
Develop briefing packages, stakeholder profiles, meeting agendas, talking points and follow‑up action plans to maximize the effectiveness of these engagements.
Develop resource mobilization and communications content
Support the preparation of high-quality communications and advocacy materials for funding partner outreach, including partnership briefs, presentations, concept notes, investment cases, speeches and tailored messaging for different audiences.
Ensure that all materials clearly articulate the EIF's value proposition, development impact and alignment with the priorities of prospective partners.
Advance concrete partnership opportunities
Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective funding partners and partnership opportunities.
Facilitate the progression of priority partnership discussions from initial engagement to advanced stages of negotiation, including identifying concrete areas of collaboration and potential financing opportunities.
Lay the foundation for at least two (2) strategic funding partnerships that are expected to be formalized by 2027, through documented engagement plans, active negotiations, agreed next steps and commitment from prospective partners.
4.2. Key expected deliverables
Resource mobilization and partnership roadmap
A comprehensive roadmap for engaging with emerging funding partners, with a particular focus on Gulf and Asian countries, including a mapping of priority institutions, engagement strategies, partnership opportunities, timelines and recommendations aligned with EIF Phase Three priorities (in a dashboard format).
Prospective funding engagement pipeline
A prioritized pipeline of high-potential funding partners, including stakeholder profiles, engagement status, meeting records, follow-up actions and recommendations for advancing partnership discussions.
High-level engagement and communications package
Preparation of briefing notes, talking points, presentations, partnership pitches, concept notes and other communications materials to support meetings, missions and events involving the ES and EB Members with prospective funding partners.
Transfer knowledge and strengthen institutional capacity
Strengthening of the ES's long-term resource mobilization capacity by mentoring relevant staff; sharing practical tools and methodologies; delivering at least one knowledge-sharing session; and providing recommendations to institutionalize strategic partnership management within the ES.
Partnership development report
A final report documenting the consultancy's achievements, including the partnerships advanced; outcomes of funding partner engagements; recommendations for sustaining the partnership pipeline; and evidence that at least two strategic funding partnerships have reached an advanced stage with a clear pathway toward formalization by 2027 (max of 10 pages).
The Consultant will deliver:
1. A Strategic Resource Mobilization Roadmap outlining priority partners, engagement strategies, financing opportunities and an implementation plan aligned with EIF Phase Three.
2. A Strategic Partnership Pipeline Dashboard including qualified prospective partners, stakeholder profiles, engagement status, financing potential and recommended next steps.
3. An Executive Engagement Package comprising briefing notes, stakeholder intelligence, presentations, partnership pitches, concept notes and other communications materials supporting senior-level engagements.
4. A Knowledge Transfer Package including resource mobilization tools and templates, workshop materials, a handover note and recommendations for strengthening the ES's long‑term partnership and resource mobilization function.
5. Final Partnership Engagement Report (max. 10 pages) summarizing achievements, partnerships advanced, recommendations and a roadmap for sustaining the partnership pipeline, including evidence that at least two (2) strategic funding partnerships have reached an advanced stage with a clear pathway towards formalization during EIF Phase Three.
Qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree in international development, economics, international trade, finance, international relations, business administration or a related field.
Professional experience
At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, innovative financing or investment promotion.
Demonstrated success in mobilizing funding (or replenishments) from governments, philanthropic organizations, development finance institutions, private sector partners and other non-traditional financing sources.
Extensive network and proven engagement with emerging funding partners, particularly in the Gulf region and other Asian countries, philanthropic organizations and international financing institutions.
Experience working with multilateral organizations or international development institutions is highly desirable.
Competencies
Strong strategic thinking and results orientation.
Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills.
Demonstrated ability to engage senior government officials, corporate executives and philanthropic leaders.
Excellent drafting, communications and presentation skills.
Ability to work independently in a multicultural environment.
Languages:
Excellent command of English is required. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic would be an asset.