Catholic Agency for Overseas Development Seeks Fundraising Consultant (Deadline: 5 May 2026)

The Fundraising Consultant – Donor Prospecting role with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development represents a strategic consultancy aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability of locally led civil society organisations (CSOs) in Sri Lanka. As international development funding landscapes shift, this role focuses on identifying new and diverse funding sources to support critical work in human rights, governance, agroecology, and climate resilience.

Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy is designed to support CSOs in Sri Lanka as they prepare for a transition period, with CAFOD planning to close its Sri Lanka programme in 2027. The assignment ensures that local partners are not left without access to funding opportunities.

The consultant’s primary goal is to map the funding ecosystem and equip organisations with actionable intelligence to secure future resources.

Key Objectives of the Assignment

The consultancy focuses on identifying and analysing a broad range of funding opportunities, including traditional and non-traditional donors. The work is both strategic and practical, aiming to strengthen fundraising capacity at the local level.

Core objectives include:

• Mapping bilateral, multilateral, and philanthropic donors
• Identifying CSR, climate, diaspora, and impact investment funding sources
• Analysing alignment between donor priorities and CSO missions
• Building a structured donor pipeline for future engagement
• Strengthening fundraising readiness among local partners

Main Deliverables of the Consultant

The consultant will produce a set of outputs that directly support strategic decision-making and capacity building for CSOs.

Key deliverables include:

• A comprehensive donor mapping report
• A prioritised funding pipeline with short-, medium-, and long-term opportunities
• A donor database tailored to CSO needs
• A detailed analysis of funding alignment with partner organisations
• A virtual workshop to build fundraising capacity and readiness

These deliverables are intended to be practical tools that CSOs can use beyond the consultancy period.

Skills and Experience Required

This role requires a strong background in fundraising, donor relations, and civil society support, particularly in the Global South. The consultant must be able to navigate complex funding ecosystems and translate findings into actionable insights.

Essential qualifications include:

• 3–4 years of experience in fundraising or donor mapping
• Strong understanding of South Asian or global funding landscapes
• Experience working with CSOs or development organisations
• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to deliver capacity-building workshops

Experience with climate finance, philanthropy, or impact investment is considered an advantage.

The Importance of Donor Mapping in Development Work

Donor mapping plays a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of civil society organisations. By identifying funding sources and aligning them with organisational priorities, CSOs can better position themselves for long-term success.

This process helps organisations to:

• Diversify funding streams and reduce dependency risks
• Identify emerging funding opportunities early
• Strengthen strategic planning and proposal development
• Improve competitiveness in funding applications

In contexts like Sri Lanka, where funding transitions are occurring, this work becomes even more essential.

Supporting Locally Led Development

A key focus of this consultancy is supporting locally led organisations. These groups are often closest to the communities they serve but may lack access to global funding networks.

The consultancy contributes by:

• Bridging information gaps between donors and local actors
• Strengthening local fundraising capacity
• Encouraging sustainable and independent funding strategies
• Promoting equitable access to resources

This aligns with broader global development priorities that emphasize local leadership and ownership.

Remote Work and Engagement Approach

The consultancy is primarily remote, with potential in-country engagement depending on location. This flexible structure allows for global expertise while maintaining relevance to the local context.

The consultant will also facilitate a virtual workshop, ensuring knowledge transfer and practical learning for participating organisations.

Key working elements include:

• Remote research and stakeholder analysis
• Virtual engagement with CSO partners
• Online presentation of findings and recommendations
• Collaborative capacity-building sessions

Application Process

Interested candidates are required to apply directly via email.

📧 Applications should be submitted to: slfc@cafod.org.uk

Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant experience and provide evidence of past donor mapping or fundraising work.

Conclusion

The Fundraising Consultant role with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen the financial sustainability of civil society organisations in Sri Lanka. By mapping donor landscapes and building fundraising capacity, the consultancy supports long-term resilience in sectors that are critical to social justice and climate adaptation.

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