Business Development & Fundraising Consultant

The Centre for Social Sciences Research & Action (CeSSRA) is seeking a qualified Business Development and Fundraising Consultant to support its institutional sustainability and resource mobilization efforts.

About CeSSRA

CeSSRA is an action-oriented, non-profit research center for and about civil society. We are a multidisciplinary space creating synergies and bridging between researchers, experts, civil society and NGO practitioners, and activists. CeSSRA aims to foster social change through innovative uses of social science, digital technologies, and publication and exchange of knowledge.

Objective of the Consultancy

The consultancy aims to strengthen CeSSRA’s institutional sustainability through the refinement and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising and business development strategy. Specific objectives include:

• Diversifying CeSSRA’s funding streams;
• Enhancing internal fundraising capacities;
• Identifying and pursuing new strategic partnerships aligned with CeSSRA’s thematic areas: social policy, welfare state, democratic processes and participation, social movements, civic space. 

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of CeSSRA’s Co-Directors and in coordination with the relevant team members, the consultant will refine and implement the organization’s fundraising strategy in line with its medium- and long-term institutional goals.

Strategic Documents 

• Conduct and update donor mapping and funding landscape analysis relevant to CeSSRA’s thematic areas.
• Review CeSSRA’s current donor portfolio and proactively identify opportunities for diversification.
• Ensure strategic liaison between CeSSRA and key donors or partners as per the centre’s priority and thematic areas.
• Update and refine CeSSRA’s fundraising strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional vision and strategic priorities.

Resource Mobilization

• Leverage professional networks to connect CeSSRA with potential donors, foundations, and funding institutions.
• Develop and submit concept notes and full proposals, ensuring quality, coherence, and donor alignment, in line with the center’s priorities. 
• Advise on approaches to partnership-building with foundations, multilateral organizations, regional initiatives, and the private sector.

Capacity Strengthening

• Provide recommendations and create tools to improve CeSSRA’s internal fundraising systems and workflows.
• Deliver practical guidance and capacity-building support to strengthen team skills in resource mobilization and donor engagement.

Deliverables

• Donor mapping database and funding landscape report.
• Donor portfolio review with diversification recommendations.
• Refined fundraising strategy with yearly fundraising targets.
• No less than seven concept notes and donor proposals.
• Partnership engagement plan.
• Assessment of internal fundraising systems with capacity-building recommendations.
• Fundraising toolkit with templates and guidelines.

Duration

The consultancy is expected to run from November 2025 until the end of June 2026, with a rate of 300 USD per day, with flexible working arrangements (remote and/or hybrid).

Qualifications/ Profile

• Advanced degree in International Development, Political Science, Public Policy, or related field.
• Proven experience (minimum 7 years) in institutional fundraising, donor engagement, or resource mobilization within the non-profit or research sector.
• Strong understanding of the SWANA donor landscape, especially in social policy, democratic processes and participation, and knowledge production.
• Excellent written and communication skills in English; knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an asset.