Description

Project/Consultancy Title: Development of Alternative Funding Models and Private Sector Partnerships

Project Location(s): Ukraine

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Enhancing resilience is at the heart of what Mercy Corps does and how we work. Resilience means that people and systems can protect and improve wellbeing in the face of shocks and stresses. Mercy Corps strengthens sources of resilience to enhance the capacities of people, markets, and institutions to handle shocks, reduce risk, build more equitable and responsive systems, and improve well-being. Through our programs, partnerships, and influence, we support communities to cope, adapt, and ultimately thrive.

Since the escalation of the war in 2022, Mercy Corps Ukraine has supported more than 950,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided cash assistance, food and hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for people in emergency situations; grants for micro, small and medium businesses, as well as small to medium farming enterprises; and conducted large-scale information campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with civil society organizations matching humanitarian action with capacity strengthening and a real commitment to localization.

Purpose / Project Description:

The consultancy will advise and support Mercy Corps Ukraine in strengthening its programming portfolio by identifying, developing, and mobilizing alternative funding models. It will also help to design and launch collaborative projects with private sector partners.

Consultant Objectives: 

The primary objectives of this assignment are to advise and support Mercy Corps Ukraine to

• Identify, develop, fundraise, and apply alternative funding models for its Economic Recovery Program; and
• Conceive, develop, and launch joint projects with private sector partners. 

The assignment also anticipates the Consultant to provide advisory support to Mercy Corps Ukraine as needs arise and for which the Consultant could provide assistance.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Identify, develop & apply alternative funding models for the Economic Recovery Program

• Conduct online research of alternative funding models, such as Slow Money, which is a movement to organize investors and donors to steer new sources of capital to small food enterprises, organic farms, and local food systems.
• Engage with various individuals and organizations related to this Objective.
• In full consultation with Mercy Corps Ukraine, design and present in power point or concept note form, possible funding models for Mercy Corps Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Program taking into account the above research and consultation calls.
• Identify and conduct outreach to potential funders for possible funding models.
• Once a preferred model is identified, build out the model in much more detail, including as needed and not limited to (1) a power point presentation, (2) a business plan-like description of the model in Word format (3) a financial model, (4) governance of model, (5) any required policies related to model implementation, (6) staffing requirements, including job descriptions to implement the model, (7) development outcomes, and (8) any other output deemed necessary to move forward with the preferred model.
• Continue to identify and outreach for potential funders for preferred model.
• Develop a project management document outlining activities and tasks, with responsibilities, timelines, and outputs, to implement the preferred model.
• Develop and deliver of training of Mercy Corps Ukraine staff and stakeholders related to this Objective.
• Any other activities that Mercy Corps Ukraine and the Consultant agree on for this Objective.

• Conceive, develop, and launch joint projects with private sector

• Review all documentation of current private sector partnerships.
• Develop broad objectives Mercy Corps Ukraine looks to achieve in working with private sector entities.
• Conduct online research to identify Ukraine and international private sector who have potential to partner with Mercy Corps Ukraine.
• Engage with various individuals and organizations related to this Objective to test interest and potential activity.
• In full consultation with Mercy Corps Ukraine, design and present in power point or concept note form, possible private sector partnerships, taking into account the above research and consultation calls.
• Further engage with private sector to gain acceptance of a possible partnership.
• Once one or more private sector partnership concepts are agreed upon, work with private sector partner to define the partnership, including but not limited to, a (1) draft partnership agreement, (2) project management document, (3) budget, (4) development outcomes, (5) other partners for implementation, and (6) any other output deemed necessary to move forward with the partnership.
• Develop and deliver of training of Mercy Corps Ukraine staff and stakeholders related to this Objective.
• Any other activities that Mercy Corps Ukraine and the Consultant agree on for this Objective.

• Other advisory support for Mercy Corps Ukraine

• Mercy Corps Ukraine anticipates using the Consultant for other activities in support of Mercy Corps Ukraine’s program in Ukraine, including but not limited to: (1) research, (2) stakeholder engagement, (3) fundraising activities, (4) program conception, design, and implementation, and (5) staff or stakeholder training

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will deliver the following:

• Alternative funding model

• Stakeholder analysis
• Detailed funding model:
• a power point presentation and/or concept note of the main elements of the model,
• a business plan-like description of the model in Word format,
• a financial model, in consultation with the Mercy Corps Ukraine finance team,
• governance of model,
• any required policies related to model implementation,
• staffing requirements, including job descriptions to implement the model,
• development outcomes, and
• any other output deemed necessary to move forward with the preferred model.

• project management document outlining activities and tasks, with responsibilities, timelines, and outputs, to implement the preferred model
• Training on funding model

• Projects with Private Sector

• Stakeholder analysis
• Power point presentation and/or concept note with private sector partnership entry points and models
• Partnership design meetings with Mercy Corps Ukraine and potential private sector partners
• Detailed private sector partnership model:

• draft partnership agreement, developed in consultation with Mercy Corps Ukraine and Headquarters,
• Project management document, 
• Budget, developed in consultation with the Mercy Corps Ukraine finance team, 
• development outcomes,
• other partners for implementation, and
• any other output deemed necessary to move forward with the partnership.

• Training on the private sector partnership model

• Other Advisory Services

• Additional deliverables as jointly agreed between the consultant and Mercy Corps Ukraine

Timeframe / Schedule: 

100 working days over a 12-month period

The Consultant will report to:

Mercy Corps Ukraine Country Director

The Consultant will work closely with:

Mercy Corps Ukraine Deputy Country Director, Director of Programs, Program Leads and Managers on the Economic Recovery and Resilience Team, Finance and Compliance Director, Technical Support, Evidence and Program Quality Team

Required Experience & Skills:

• Advanced university degree in international development, economics, business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development and/or humanitarian programming, with a focus on economic recovery, market systems, or private sector engagement, of which at least one year working on private sector development in Ukraine.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, mobilizing, and implementing alternative or innovative funding models (e.g., blended finance, social enterprise, impact investing, pooled funds, etc.).
• Proven track record of building and managing partnerships with corporates and/or other private sector actors, ideally within development or humanitarian contexts.
• Strong experience in fundraising, business development, and donor engagement, including preparation of proposals, business plans, and financial models.
• Excellent research, analytical, and conceptualization skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into practical and actionable models.
• Solid understanding of project management, including development of workplans, budgets, and governance frameworks.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to engage, influence, and train diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Ability to spend extensive periods of time in Ukraine during the consultancy.
• Professional fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of Ukrainian is an asset.