Strategic Consultancy for Mobilizing Local Financing for ECD in Emergencies

International Rescue Committee; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Rescue Committee seeks a consultant to develop strategies for increased funding and engagement in early childhood development in emergencies. This role involves analyzing funding opportunities, advocating for local champions, and creating partnerships to enhance resource mobilization within 3-6 months.

Qualifications

• Experience in unlocking domestic finance and advocacy.
• Knowledge of ECD in emergencies is desirable.
• Collaborate with refugee-led organizations.

Responsibilities

• Map financing flows and entry points in selected countries.
• Conduct interviews with stakeholders for advocacy purposes.
• Develop engagement strategies and stakeholder profiles.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Advocacy

Unlocking domestic finance

Job description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), operating in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, join us in positively impacting the lives of millions worldwide for a better future.

About Moving Minds Alliance: The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) is a multistakeholder alliance advocating for better outcomes and equity for young children affected by crises globally. The Alliance leverages the strengths of diverse local and global actors to prioritize early childhood development in crisis responses.

Background and Context: Since 2019, MMA has highlighted the severe underfunding of early childhood development in emergencies (ECDiE)—only 2–3% of humanitarian aid reaches young children in crisis settings. With declining official development assistance, MMA aims to mobilize resources closer to impact.

This consultancy supports MMA’s efforts to mobilize resources through national public institutions, collaborate with donor representatives, and identify non-traditional funders such as regional institutions, local philanthropies, and innovative finance actors to fund and scale locally-led ECDiE programs and ecosystems.

The consultancy seeks to bring in new partners and collaborators, including those capable of mapping financing opportunities and executing local financing shifts, with a focus on elevating local and refugee leaders as central actors.

Purpose of Consultancy: Develop an evidence-based strategy to enable MMA and its members to:

• Advocate for increased domestic and regional funding for ECDiE;
• Analyze opportunities and develop strategies to mobilize local demand for ECDiE, including supporting local champions;
• Engage public sector decision-makers and collaborate with donors at local and regional levels;
• Build the investment case for locally led ECDiE systems;
• Develop engagement strategies and roadmaps for partnerships, coalitions, and sustained engagement.

Timeline: 3 to 6 months, with an estimated 30-40 days of work.

Scope of Work: The strategy will be developed through key activities, including:

1. Landscape and Stakeholder Analysis: Map financing flows and entry points in 3-4 priority countries across regions, selected collaboratively during inception.
2. Consultations and Intelligence Gathering: Conduct interviews with stakeholders to identify political opportunities, champions, and moments for advocacy.
3. Country Profiles, Strategic Guidance, and Investment Case: Develop profiles, identify advocacy needs, profile financing actors, and co-create investment pathways.
4. Tailored Engagement Plans: Draft engagement strategies, stakeholder profiles, partnership opportunities, and messaging plans, co-created with stakeholders.

Deliverables: Include inception report, mid-line report, stakeholder profiles, engagement tip-sheets, tailored engagement plans, participatory methodology, and final presentation.

Desired Outcomes: Equip MMA and partners with high-impact finance intelligence, position ECDiE within budgets and mechanisms, and shift financing flows through locally led strategies.

Qualifications & Requirements: Experience in unlocking domestic finance, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with refugee-led organizations. Knowledge of ECD in emergencies is desirable. Applications from individuals and teams are welcome, with proposals including focus countries or multiple contexts.

Application materials include a proposal, CV, references, writing samples, and a deadline of approximately three weeks from publishing. Contact: Tricia Young at [e-mail].

All consultants must adhere to the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct, emphasizing Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.