Reports to: ESPEN Team Leader (technical oversight) and Speak Up Africa's Deputy Executive Director (administrative management)
Based: Remote with periodic travel to WHO AFRO Regional Office in Brazzaville
Duration: 12 months

Background
The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) is a WHO AFRO project that provides countries with technical and strategic support to reduce the burden of five Preventive Chemotherapy Neglected Tropical Diseases (PC-NTDs). Speak Up Africa will support ESPEN through the recruitment of a senior expert focused on strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization.

Role Overview
The consultant will lead ESPEN's donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts, focusing on maintaining existing donor relationships while identifying and securing new funding opportunities. Working closely with ESPEN's leadership, the consultant will develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies while strengthening strategic partnerships across the NTD community. The role will also support ESPEN's broader objectives of enhancing communication and documenting programmatic successes to build a compelling case for continued and expanded donor support.

Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder and Donor Engagement
• Lead ESPEN's resource mobilization strategy, with a target to maintain current funding levels and identify opportunities for growth
• Drive donor relationship management to secure multi-year commitments from existing partners
• Identify and cultivate new funding prospects, creating a robust pipeline of potential donors
• Develop compelling funding proposals and donor-facing materials that showcase ESPEN's impact and value proposition
• Design and implement donor stewardship strategies to ensure sustained engagement
• Lead grant opportunity tracking and proposal development process
• Support the organization and documentation of the ESPEN Steering Committee Meeting
• Maintain strategic communication with current and prospective donors
• Document stakeholder engagement activities and fundraising outcomes
• Work with ESPEN leadership to set and track fundraising targets

Strategic Communication
• Develop and execute advocacy and communication strategies that support donor engagement
• Establish systematic processes for documenting and sharing ESPEN's successes
• Create compelling content to showcase ESPEN's impact to donors and partners
• Support the organization of stakeholder engagement webinars and meetings
• Prepare high-quality donor reports and updates

Strategy Development
• Support the development of ESPEN's 5-year strategy through an inclusive stakeholder engagement process
• Ensure donor and partner perspectives are effectively integrated into strategic planning
• Document strategic planning processes and outcomes

Key Deliverables
Initial Implementation Phase:
• Detailed workplan (by March 31, 2025)
• Timeline for 5-year strategy development process (February 28, 2025)
• Resource mobilization plan (March 31, 2025)
• Communication and stakeholder engagement plan (April 30, 2025)

Regular Communication Products:
• Quarterly multimedia content packages showcasing ESPEN's achievements (March 31, June 30, September 30, 2025)
• Quarterly stakeholder newsletters highlighting ESPEN's initiatives (March 31, June 30, September 30, 2025)
• Quarterly advocacy briefs featuring ESPEN's success stories (March 31, June 30, September 30, 2025)
• Quarterly summary reports from ESPEN stakeholder engagement webinars (March 31, June 30, September 30, 2025)

Strategic Meeting Documentation:
• Comprehensive report documenting ESPEN Steering Committee Meeting proceedings and outcomes (July 31, 2025)
All deliverables will be submitted to both ESPEN (for technical review) and Speak Up Africa (for administrative purposes). Final versions must be approved by ESPEN Team Leader before being considered complete. The consultant will also be expected to provide regular progress updates and participate in team meetings as part of their ongoing responsibilities.

Required Qualifications
• Advanced degree in public health, communications, international development, or related field
• Minimum 10 years' experience in donor engagement and strategic partnerships
• Proven track record in resource mobilization for global health initiatives
• Strong understanding of the global health funding landscape, particularly NTDs
• Proficient knowledge of English or French with good/fair working knowledge of the other.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and remotely while maintaining effective collaboration

Work Arrangements
• Remote-based position with structured work schedule aligned with ESPEN's working hours
• Regular participation in ESPEN team meetings and activities
• Periodic trips to WHO AFRO Regional Office in Brazzaville planned during the consultancy
• Regular communication with both ESPEN and Speak Up Africa teams

Application Process
Qualified candidates should submit:
• Cover letter
• CV
• Writing sample demonstrating strategic communication capabilities
• References from similar assignments