In-House Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Consultant

1. Background and Rationale

The African Union continues to operate under tight fiscal conditions at a time when institutional mandates are expanding and responsibilities are increasing across the continent. While expectations on the Union and its organs have grown driven by Agenda 2063, the creation of new institutions, and the need to respond to emerging global and regional challenges the corresponding level of financial support has not kept pace. This widening gap places considerable pressure on the AU’s capacity to deliver on its commitments, particularly in a global environment where funding landscapes are increasingly unpredictable and development priorities continue to shift.

For ECOSOCC, these system-wide pressures have been further compounded by persistent discrepancies between projected partner funding and actual disbursements, undermining the organ’s ability to effectively implement its mandate. Our past audit observations reaffirmed the vulnerability created by over-reliance on uncertain external financing and underscored the need for ECOSOCC to diversify its funding base, intensify partner engagement, and anchor activities on secured and predictable resources. These financing gaps have contributed to delays in core initiatives such as the full roll-out of the National Chapters, implementation of the harmonised civil accreditation mechanism (HAM) for African CSOs , and establishment of structured diaspora participation frameworks. Collectively, these challenges highlight the urgent need for a more strategic, proactive, and sustainable resource mobilisation model capable of supporting ECOSOCC’s long-term institutional and programmatic priorities.

In addition to programme-related financing needs, ECOSOCC is entering a critical phase regarding the construction of its Permanent Secretariat in Lusaka. This flagship institutional priority requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder resource mobilisation effort undertaken jointly with the host Government of Zambia. In this regard, the expert is expected to support the internal team in engaging development partners, philanthropic foundations, and multilateral institutions to secure resources for the project. The expert will work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia which plays a central role in operationalising the Host Agreement and facilitating the high-level diplomatic engagement required for successful resource mobilisation.

Against this backdrop, and with support from its strategic partner Reform Initiatives, ECOSOCC proposes the immediate recruitment of an In-House Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Consultant. The consultant will support the Office of the Head of Secretariat (OHOS) and the Finance Unit by coordinating partner engagement, strengthening financial diversification efforts, and mobilising resources for ECOSOCC’s flagship continental programmes including the Africa–China CSO Platform, the annual Citizens’ Forum, UNGA Civil Society Week, AU pre-summit

engagements, the G20 Social Summit, and other global advocacy platforms that amplify African voices.

The consultant will additionally play an important role in supporting the multisector taskforce for resource mobilisation toward the Permanent Secretariat by mapping potential funders, developing investment cases, and coordinating follow-up actions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other national stakeholders.

Timely recruitment is also essential to act on concrete opportunities emerging from the highly successful Philanthropy and Funders’ Breakfast held on the margins of the G20 Social Summit, where several donors expressed interest in establishing formal engagement beginning in early 2026. It is therefore critical to secure expertise capable of operationalising these commitments, structuring funding pipelines, ensuring coordinated follow-up, and sustaining the momentum generated. The consultant will be central to advancing ECOSOCC’s shift toward a more agile, professional, and resilient resource mobilisation model strengthening the organ’s capacity to fulfil its mandate and reinforcing its role as the African Union’s principal platform for citizen participation.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to design, lead, and operationalise a comprehensive and results-oriented resource mobilisation and partnership-building strategy for ECOSOCC. The Consultant will ensure that ECOSOCC secures sustainable, diversified, and multi-year funding necessary to implement its continental mandate and flagship programmes, in alignment with the Agenda 2063 priorities, and ECOSOCC’s strategic outlook for 2025–2029.

3. Scope of Work

The In-House Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Consultant will undertake the following:

1. Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement a Resource Mobilisation Strategy aligned with ECOSOCC’s 2025–2029 strategic direction and AU Agenda 2063 priorities.
• Integrate resource mobilisation targets into ECOSOCC’s annual work plans, with clear milestones, KPIs, and monitoring mechanisms.
• Identify priority funding needs in consultation with the Programmes Unit and the Finance & Administration Team, ensuring all resource mobilisation efforts align with ECOSOCC’s strategic priorities and secured-funding principles.

1. Donor Engagement and Partnership Development

• Map and segment potential funding sources, including:

• • African private sector actors and philanthropic foundations
  • International development partners and multilateral organisations

• • African financial institutions (e.g., Afreximbank, African Development Bank)
  • Global and regional diaspora organisations

• Develop targeted engagement and outreach strategies tailored to each donor segment, prioritising multi-year commitments and co-financing models.
• Facilitate and coordinate high-level engagement between the Head of ECOSOCC and prospective funding partners, ensuring structured follow-up and relationship management.
• Leverage ECOSOCC’s flagship initiatives including Africa–China CSO Engagement, Citizens Forum, UNGA Civil Society Week, AU pre-summit processes, and the G20 Social Summit to craft compelling investment cases.

1. Proposal Development and Fundraising Tools

• Lead the development of high-quality concept notes, funding proposals, and partnership agreements in collaboration with technical units.
• Establish a standardised proposal and donor-engagement toolkit for use across all ECOSOCC thematic areas.
• Ensure all proposals, agreements, and partnership arrangements comply with AU financial rules, donor requirements, and emerging AU administrative cost guidelines.

1. Internal Capacity Strengthening

• Support capacity building for ECOSOCC staff and Bureau members on resource mobilisation, partnership development, and donor reporting.
• Strengthen internal systems for grant management, donor tracking, and compliance oversight across the project cycle.

1. Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability

• Develop and maintain a dashboard to systematically track fundraising progress against annual and multi-year targets.
• Provide quarterly progress reports to the Head of ECOSOCC, detailing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Support timely preparation and submission of donor reports to reinforce credibility, accountability, and transparency.

4. Expected Deliverables

• Months 1–2: Approved Resource Mobilisation Strategy and 12-month action plan.
• Month 3: Comprehensive donor mapping and segmentation report.
• Month 4 onwards: Active pipeline of at least ten high-value funding prospects.
• Quarterly: Resource mobilisation progress reports and updated funding dashboard.
• Annually: Consolidated fundraising performance review with recommendations for the following year.

5. Reporting and Coordination

The Consultant will:

• Report directly to the Head of Secretariat;
• Work closely with both the Programmes and the Finance & Administration Units to align fundraising with programme priorities while ensuring full compliance, financial tracking, and reporting

6. Duration and Contract Type

• Duration: 6 months renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.
• Proposed Contract Period: 1 January 2026 – June 2026 (including 3-month probation).
• Duty Station: Lusaka, Zambia (with expectation of physical presence for the majority of the contract).
• Contract Type: Retainer basis, with salary negotiable based on experience, capacity, and availability of funds.

7. Qualifications and Experience

Education

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Administration, Development Studies, or any other related field, with a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience;
  OR
• A Master’s/Advanced degree in the above fields with at least 8 years of progressively responsible relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilisation, partnership development, or institutional fundraising within the AU, UN, or pan-African organisations;
• Demonstrated track record of securing significant funding from diverse donors;
• Experience designing and implementing multi-year resource mobilisation strategies.

Skills

• Strong negotiation, networking, and partnership-building abilities;
• Excellent proposal development, communication, and presentation skills;
• Strong understanding of AU structures, governance systems, and Agenda 2063 frameworks;
• Fluency in English (knowledge of French, Arabic, or Portuguese is a strong advantage).

Selection Criteria.

• How to apply:

• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Fixed Budget Selection (FBS) method set out in the African Union Procurement Manual. Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours: 08:00–13:00 hrs and 14:00–17:00 hrs, Lusaka Time.

• Expressions of Interest must be submitted by e-mail to the address below on or before 15^th December 2025 at 17:00 Hours, Lusaka Time. Submissions should include a detailed proposal and workplan not exceeding five (5) pages, along with a CV

African Union – ECOSOCC
Attn: Head of Administration, Finance and Human Resource
P.O. Box 50295, Kudu Road
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 (0) 211 429 405
Email: ecosocc@africaunion.org

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