Design and plan the expansion of consulting services provided by HelpAge International

Introduction

Expressions of interest (EoI) are sought from consultants to develop detailed plans for increasing the volume and effectiveness of delivering consulting services as a growing arm of the organisation’s business development strategy.

The Organisation

HelpAge International works with partners and a diverse global network of more than 150 organizations across 85 countries, supporting millions of older people to live safe, dignified and healthy lives. Through our partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone, whatever their age. Our work is driven by our desire to deliver real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience.

Our 2030 strategy Ageing in a Just World https://www.helpage.org/who-we-are/2030-strategy/ sets out how we will work together to shape the future we all share. Our aim is to help inspire a movement for change and through ensuring all our work promotes older people’s wellbeing, dignity and voice, to transform the lives of older people now and in the future.

As an international NGO and registered charity, HelpAge International currently derives much of its income from institutional sources such as bilateral and multilateral donors. However, the organization is committed to diversifying its income sources and building non-traditional streams such as commercial contracting, delivering consultancy services, and developing new types of partnership.

The organization already has a track record of delivering consultancy services to others, drawing on its skills, expertise and knowledge. However, recent internal research and data gathering indicates that current internal business processes do not maximize the benefits of this activity or provide the most effective platform on which to build our technical profile and reach a wider audience of potential clients.

Consultancy Purpose

We are therefore looking to appoint a specialist consultant who can assist us in developing an action plan for consultancy services, focusing on the following –

a. Research and design of a plan for establishing a common consultancy system including internal management structure and processes, decision making, financial management, development and retention of skilled consultancy resources (internal and external) and associated ways of working across HelpAge International **

b. Develop costing mechanisms and fee structure for consulting assignments to cover costs and provide a return to the organization

c. Support trials of tools, systems and processes, evaluate performance and propose improvements / changes **

d. Identify the options for a unit / team / vehicle to deliver the objectives of the project and make recommendations about governance and status, **

e. Produce a plan for product development and offers of services to enhance technical reputation and reach of the organisation.

f. Set out next steps leading to implementation and identify any outstanding issues to be resolved **

Ways of working

The consultant will work remotely from a base of their choice. They will be expected to attend regular online meetings with the project lead and a project reference group and have other online meetings with a variety of stakeholders and informants, both inside and outside the organization.

The consultant will be accountable to the Interim Director of Business Development (substantive Director position under recruitment).

Full terms of reference for this consultancy can be found here (link)

Fees

Will be negotiated with the selected consultant. All applicants are asked to propose a day rate for fees, inclusive of VAT or other taxes. No other expenses will be payable.

This consultancy will start as soon as possible and is expected to involve 30 – 40 days work over the period December 2021 to April 2022. The number of days will be agreed with the selected consultant along with key deliverables / milestones and target dates for these.

Selection criteria

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

· Experience of approaches to consulting in the commercial sector

· Experience of working in or with business units whose primary activity is providing consulting services

· Experience of managing consultancies in an international context.

· Strong analytical and planning skills.

· Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work and communicate with a wide range of people in different contexts

Desirable:

· Understanding of NGO business models, processes, ways of working

· Knowledge of the international humanitarian and development sector.

Our Values

At HelpAge International we work hard to achieve our goals together as a team with a clear shared purpose. Our values inform how we work together:

Inclusive

We respect people, value diversity and are committed to equality.

Impact

We value and recognise the contribution of our staff and network members, as we put older people at the centre of everything we do.

Partners

We work alongside network members and others to increase reach, influence and impact. We are committed to a culture of collaboration and building positive relationships.

Learning

We are passionate about learning, accountable and work together to find creative solutions.

Everyone who works at HelpAge share our values and are committed to behaviours that demonstrate and support them.

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Equal Opportunities

HelpAge International is committed to creating an inclusive working environment, promoting and providing equal opportunities and respecting diversity in employment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We encourage and facilitate a flexible working environment.