Consultant

Job Title: Consultant

Location: Remote, with occasional travel expected for project delivery

Reports to: Managing Director

Starting date: by1st September

Type of contract: Permanent contract

DRS is looking, on behalf of our client, an International Trade and Development organization, for a skilled and confident Consultant to bring a consulting skillset, that can build productive relationships, and will enjoy being a key member of a values-driven and creative team.

About the organization:

The organization helps to transform food systems and agricultural value chains to deliver a positive impact. They provide high-quality strategic advisory and implementation support to development organizations and the private sector. Their work helps increase the dietary diversity of the poor, drive climate mitigation and adaptation, enhance gender equality, and contribute to economic development (e.g. jobs, livelihoods, and trade linkages). They will do this by helping our clients navigate the trade-offs between people, prosperity, and the planet and identify win-win wins where they exist.

The organization has deep practical experience in implementing projects and investing in agribusinesses, combined with a strong consulting skillset. Alongside their partners, they have facilitated investments into agricultural businesses and market development projects worth over £600 million over the past 12 years. They work in LMIC territories, with particular expertise and deep networks in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. They have carried out over 80 projects in agribusiness and food systems to date.

The organization partners with a range of development partners, development finance institutions, impact investors, and private sector firms. Key clients and funders include FCDO, DIT, BEIS, GAIN, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, World Bank, CDC Group, AgDevCo, Acumen Fund, DFAT, IFC, AGRA, Larry Ellison Foundation, and USAID.

About the role:

The business is growing rapidly, with high demand from new and repeat clients. The core team is small but growing that works alongside a pool of associate consultants who support us with project delivery. The organization will only allow the core team to grow as quickly as they can find the right people who share our values and have the experience and capabilities we are seeking. In return, the organization provides a platform for people who want to use their intelligence and creativity to help solve the clients’ problems and deliver impact at scale, whilst also deepening their sectoral and technical expertise.

You will lead and contribute to multiple projects in the portfolio, working with the core team and a close group of associate consultants and experts. You will also support the Directors to win new work and deepen existing partnerships. The organization expects the right candidate to progress into a Director role where you would be eligible to join an Enterprise Management Incentive share scheme if that is your ambition. The role would also participate in a generous and fully transparent annual bonus scheme.

Responsibilities

· Lead workstreams or entire teams to deliver consultancy projects across our range of clients, to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery across multiple projects;

· Develop relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders – both to deliver projects and generate opportunities for new business;

· Conduct economic and financial analysis and create clear and compelling client outputs (mainly in Excel and PPT);

· Participate in regular client presentations, and be comfortable presenting to wider groups on occasion, in addition to supporting or leading the delivery of workshops and training;

· Contribute to business development, proposal writing, and leading on new project designs to support the project pipeline;

· Undertake international travel as part of project work, including at times, working at the client site (in the UK and internationally);

· Bring energy, creativity, and an entrepreneurial mindset to help achieve the team’s vision.

Key skills and experience:

· At least 4 years of experience in strategic and management consulting experience/development consulting/impact investing, with at least 2 years of client-facing and managing teams;

· Experience working in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs);

· Demonstrated sector experience in one or more agribusiness, food systems, renewable energy, or access to finance;

· Proven track record of managing effective client relationships with stakeholders such as development partners, foundations, investors, agribusinesses, and policymakers;

· Strong written and oral communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to formulate and present analysis and recommendations in a clear and concise manner;

· Advanced economic and financial modelling skills (e.g. three statement financial models, cost-benefit analyses, market sizing, regression analyses);

· Experience working remotely with global multicultural teams;

· Fluency in English.

Other desirable characteristics:

· Excellent understanding of the enabling environment and business development needs in the agriculture sectors of emerging markets, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia;

· Experience of living in LMICs, with a strong network of professional contacts;

· Experience developing new business leads, with an established network of prospective clients and some proven business development experience;

· A postgraduate degree in economics, finance, MBA, or another relevant discipline.

In case the candidate has great experience could be assigned to a higher position of Senior Consultant.