Background

Since 2010, Spark has built the civic and economic power of rural communities facing poverty in East Africa and West Africa. Spark's innovative Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) strengthens citizen engagement and improves rural livelihoods to drive sustainable development. Through the FCAP, Spark Microgrants puts communities at the center of development, supporting them to find solutions to challenges, and increasing their control over the process. Facilitated village "town-hall style" weekly meetings are combined with a seed grant that enables citizens to launch a development project, practice self-organizing and empower them to make decisions about how to use resources for community benefit.

In Uganda, Spark Microgrants has been working in partnership with Bulambuli district since 2021 to achieve “An empowered and self-sustaining community of Bulambuli district” using the FCAP model. To date, we have worked with a total of 170 communities, out of which, 108 completed the process and graduated leaving us with 62 active communities.

To effectively implement Spark Microgrants’ Uganda Strategic Plan and secure the long-term sustainability of its operations in Uganda, Spark Microgrants seeks the services of a qualified consultant to develop a comprehensive, Uganda-specific Resource Mobilization Strategy. The Strategy should reflect the current donor and funding environment in Uganda, including the evolving priorities of development and humanitarian partners, shifts in funding availability, and increasing emphasis on value-for-money, localization, and measurable results.

Objective:

The objective of the consultancy is to develop a fundraising strategy and establish a clear overview of current and potential funding opportunities for Spark Microgrants in Uganda.

Specific Tasks:

• Consult and work closely with the Uganda Country Director, to understand the organization’s vision, mission and areas of priority at the moment.
• Conduct a structured review of Spark’s model to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities that are well aligned with donor priorities, thematic interests, and funding criteria, and produce actionable recommendations to inform targeted fundraising and partnership strategies.
• Identify and map potential donors and strategic partners in country , in line with the agreed Uganda strategy
• Facilitate introductions and where possible, participate in meetings between Spark leadership and priority donors and other key stakeholders
• Develop evidence briefs, proposals, and presentations aimed at generating or responding to interest from in-country donors

Deliverables:

• Updated donor landscape mapping, in line with strategic goals, including contact details and relevant context to support effective introduction and engagement planning
• Briefing materials, proposals, and presentations designed to generate interest and secure support from in-country donor representatives.
• A clear and practical fundraising strategy developed that identifies potential funding sources, outlines realistic fundraising approaches, and provides an actionable plan to mobilize resources to support the organization’s goals.
• At least one funding brief/proposal submitted

Required education, experience and competencies:

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Marketing, Development, Planning, Business Administration, Communication, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the development sector - preferably on Community Driven Development, community mobilization and development … and proven experience and success in developing business models and mobilizing funds for civil society and international non-governmental organizations, knowledge and experience in community-led monitoring, humanitarian emergencies, global advocacy, and community research, strengthening community systems, building community capacities and strategic partnerships.
• Proven track records of generating significant funding
• Experience and expertise in developing and maintaining good relationships with institutional donors or corporations.
• Experience of working in multicultural contexts
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in English.

• Consult and work closely with the Uganda Country Director, to understand the organization’s vision, mission and areas of priority at the moment.
• Conduct a structured review of Spark’s model to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities that are well aligned with donor priorities, thematic interests, and funding criteria, and produce actionable recommendations to inform targeted fundraising and partnership strategies.
• Identify and map potential donors and strategic partners in country , in line with the agreed Uganda strategy
• Facilitate introductions and where possible, participate in meetings between Spark leadership and priority donors and other key stakeholders
• Develop evidence briefs, proposals, and presentations aimed at generating or responding to interest from in-country donors

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in English.

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Marketing, Development, Planning, Business Administration, Communication, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the development sector - preferably on Community Driven Development, community mobilization and development … and proven experience and success in developing business models and mobilizing funds for civil society and international non-governmental organizations, knowledge and experience in community-led monitoring, humanitarian emergencies, global advocacy, and community research, strengthening community systems, building community capacities and strategic partnerships.
• Proven track records of generating significant funding
• Experience and expertise in developing and maintaining good relationships with institutional donors or corporations.
• Experience of working in multicultural contexts