Programme Development and Contract Management - Consultants Flexible Pool

Focus of the Role

This is a call for consultant services to the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) for ad hoc support on programme design, development, proposal coordination, proposal writing and project/programme reporting, prospect research, advise on donor strategies and priorities, as well as materials to inform tailored engagements with donors and partners. Support from a range of consultants with different experience and expertise in these areas is requested to provide this service. The consultants will form part of a pool of experts for draw down support on short term assignments in response to a specific assignment in response to demand from the Programme Development & Contracts (PD&C) unit and the wider Global Business Development and Income (GBD&I) division.

The PD&C unit sits within the Global Business Development & Income (GBD&I) Division of TBI, which leads and oversees the Institute’s strategic direction and growth, with specific responsibility for future proofing growth, and securing financial resources to measurably advance the Institute’s operational goals and drive sustainable impact.

Duration and place of assignment

Consultants in the pool will be able to support assignments on an ongoing basis based on needs and demand from the PD&C unit and wider GBD&I team throughout this year. Consultant days will vary from assignment to assignment for this reason. A review of a proposal or a report, including editing support, may require a couple of days whereas leading a proposal development process could involve a 2-3 months full time work. The level of effort and duration of assignments will be negotiated with each Consultant on an assignment-by-assignment basis for this reason.

The Consultant is expected to provide support on a remote basis, using Consultants' own equipment. For longer assignment travel may be required, and expenses will be covered accordingly for such

Key Responsibilities

These services are in support of the day-to-day work of the PD&C Unit but will also benefit the wider GBD&I team at TBI. The consultant will also work closely alongside of PD&C staff in the delivery of an assignment.

Overall objective:

• To review and quality assure proposals and narrative reports for specific donor audiences
• To support strategy and donor engagement planning processes through intel, analysis and prospect research for specific donors
• To support or lead proposal development processes for specific donor audiences when required.

Specific objectives:

• TBI proposals, reports and donor/partner engagement materials are reviewed and improved to high standard, tailored to donor audience expectations and language in accordance with timetable agreed
• To lead/ support proposal development processes.

Services requested:

• Early budget development
• Early draft budget development review
• Final draft budget development review
• Early narrative and financial proposal or report draft review
• Final narrative and financial proposal or report draft review
• Review of presentation slides for donor/ partner meeting
• Review of fundraising materials, donor engagement strategy/ plans
• Support on donor brief materials
• Proposal development coordination
• Editing support on proposal/ report/ fundraising material.

Expected deliverables:

• Draft budget developed
• Final budget developed
• Draft/ final proposal/ report developed
• Feedback and recommendations provided on draft/ final budget reviewed
• Feedback and recommendations on draft/ final narrative and financial proposal reviewed
• Feedback and recommendations on presentation slides for a donor/ partner meeting reviewed
• Feedback and recommendations on fundraising materials reviewed
• Proposal/ report development process coordination supported
• Specific proposal/ report sections developed
• Report/ Proposal/ fundraising material edited.

Note: Deliverables will be dependent upon specific assignments, but could include a combination of the above.  

Person Specification

Competencies are expected to include:

• Fluent English speaker (working language will be English) with excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to work in French would be a bonus but not essential
• Experience of bid development for a range of client government, bilateral, multilateral and/ or corporate donors. For example, FCDO commercial contract bid development/tender-writing or USAID commercial contract bid development/tender writing
• Experience of report development and writing for a range of bilateral and multilateral donors. For example reporting for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Experience in developing budgets and financial reporting on project/programme expenditure for a range of bilateral and multilateral donors
• Experience of leading bid development and/or report development coordination processes
• Ability to work under pressure and time constraints
• Demonstrated experience in matrix management in a remote working setting
• Excellent analytical skills
• Document design and formatting skills

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About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies.  We do this through developing policy and advising governments.  We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.