Senior Consultant to Develop IDEP's New Business Model for Long-term Financial Sustainability

Job Posting Organization:
The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) is a pan-African economic development and planning capacity building institute established in 1962 by the UN General Assembly. It became operational on November 21, 1963, with the mission to support newly independent African countries in enhancing their economic management and development planning capabilities. Over the years, IDEP has evolved to focus on public sector capacity development in alignment with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 206

• IDEP has trained over 13,700 officials and maintains an annual average of 3,000 trainees, but currently faces significant operational and financial challenges that threaten its sustainability as a leading capacity development institution in Africa. The organization is in the process of finalizing its Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which aims to address these financial sustainability challenges and enhance its operational capacity to meet its mandate effectively.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to design a comprehensive and practical business model for IDEP that focuses on sustainable financing strategies, resource mobilization, and operational efficiency. The consultant will be responsible for developing a robust and actionable business model that aligns with IDEP’s and ECA strategic objectives. This model should incorporate diversified funding strategies, a solid financial sustainability plan with concrete revenue streams, and effective governance mechanisms. The consultant will work closely with IDEP's management team and relevant divisions of the ECA to ensure that the business model is practical and actionable, providing recommendations for securing diversified, predictable, and resilient funding streams that will enable IDEP to fulfill its mandate effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant is expected to accomplish several key tasks, including conducting a comprehensive review of IDEP’s current business model and financial structure, assessing operational models, and benchmarking against comparable institutions. The consultant will engage with IDEP and ECA leadership, staff, member states, and key stakeholders to understand financial sustainability challenges and gather input on potential opportunities for collaboration. The consultant will design a business model that includes diversified funding streams, strategies for increasing member state contributions, operational efficiencies, and governance structures to support the new business model. Deliverables include an inception report, situational analysis report, draft business model, implementation plan, and a final report incorporating feedback from IDEP and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess at least 15 years of expertise in developing business models for international or regional institutions, with a strong focus on financial sustainability. Experience in resource mobilization, innovative financing mechanisms, and endowment fund management is essential. A strong understanding of Africa’s development context, including public-private partnerships and capacity development programs, is desirable. The consultant should also demonstrate the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and the private sector.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in developing business models for international or regional institutions, particularly with a focus on financial sustainability. The consultant should have a proven track record in resource mobilization and innovative financing mechanisms, as well as experience in managing endowment funds.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and engagement with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy assignment is expected to last for three months, with travel linked to the consultancy. The consultant will report to IDEP's Director and work closely with the IDEP management team and relevant ECA divisions. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for bank account information.