Position: Business Development Consultant
Event: People Dialogue Festival (PDF)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 6 months with potential for extension based on deliverables
Start date: October 16, 2024
Reporting to: Event Director/Event Steering Committee
1. Background
The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) is a flagship dialogue initiative by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy Kenya (CMD Kenya) aimed at shaping the discourse around critical issues by bringing together leaders and people to engage in meaningful conversations about pressing challenges facing the broader society in Kenya. Under the overarching theme of Competition and Collaboration in Democratic Development, the inaugural edition of the Festival was successfully convened in March 2019, and five subsequent editions held annually in March. CMD Kenya is committed to nurturing meaningful dialogue and sustaining a platform for thought leaders, experts, and visionaries within the political, public, private, professional, and civil society sectors to come together and address critical issues facing our community and beyond.
PDF is uniquely relevant as it ensures that enhanced dialogue goes beyond the political elite and accommodates gender equality, the inclusion of youth, minorities, civil society organizations, and other nontraditional actors like citizen movements and faith-based organizations in a political decision-making process. Participation has steadily and organically grown from less than 1,000 participants in the inaugural edition held in 2019 to over 10,000 in 2024. PDF attracts a diverse audience including elected and nominated leaders, national and county government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, professional associations, private sector players, high schools and institutions of higher education, trade unions, media, artists, women’s rights organizations, youth-led and youth-serving organizations, community-based organizations, international democracy support organizations and representatives of diplomatic missions
2. Objective
The primary objective of the Business Development Consultant is to finetune and implement a comprehensive strategy to enhance visibility and secure sponsorships, partnerships, and funding to ensure the financial sustainability and success of the People Dialogue Festival 2025 onwards. The consultant will utilize a draft business plan already developed and modify it to the standards required to realize the objectives.
3. Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Review the draft and finalize the PDF business plan
- Review the market research to identify potential sponsors, partners, and funding sources as highlighted in the draft business plan.
- Analyze the competitive landscape and identify trends in event sponsorship and partnership development.
- Identify and prioritize sectors, organizations, and individuals who align with the PDF’s values and objectives.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership Strategy Development
- Develop a sponsorship and partnership strategy tailored to the event.
- Create tiered sponsorship packages and customized partnership proposals that align with the interests of prospective sponsors and partners.
- Implement a marketing communication strategy to approach and engage potential sponsors and partners.
3. Proposal Development and Presentation
• Prepare compelling sponsorship proposals, pitches, and presentations to be presented to potential sponsors and partners.
Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, sponsors, and donors.
4. Partnership and Sponsorship Negotiation
- Lead negotiations with potential sponsors and partners to secure mutually beneficial agreements.
- Establish Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) or contracts with sponsors, ensuring clear roles, deliverables, and benefits.
5. Donor and Stakeholder Engagement
- Support the Event Director/Steering Committee to build relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, corporates, civil society organizations, and development agencies.
- Foster long-term relationships with sponsors and partners for future editions of the PDF.
6. Reporting and Monitoring
- Provide regular updates to the event director or steering committee on the progress of business development activities.
- Monitor the implementation of sponsorship and partnership agreements and ensure the delivery of agreed-upon sponsor benefits.
- Prepare a final report on business development outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future festivals.
4. Deliverables
- A comprehensive business development strategy with a clear implementation plan.
- A database of potential sponsors, partners, and funding opportunities.
- Signed sponsorship agreements/MoUs with key sponsors and partners.
- Regular progress reports and a final business development report.
5. Consultant’s Qualifications
- Proven track record in business development, fundraising, or partnership development for large-scale events.
- Strong networking and negotiation skills.
- Experience working with corporates, NGOs, government agencies, and development partners in Kenya.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of the Kenyan socio-political and economic environment.
- Understanding of event management and the ability to align business development efforts with event objectives.
6. Duration and Payment
The consultancy will be for six months, commencing on or before October 16, 2024. The payment terms will be based on deliverables and a monthly retainer. A negotiated commission rate will be triggered upon securing the sponsorship agreements) and reaching the agreed milestone in sponsorship value (in cash and kind).
7. Reporting
The consultant will report to the Event Director or the Event Steering Committee and work closely with other event team members.
8. Application
Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to [email protected] on or before 10th October 2024, with the subject title “Business Development Consultant”. The application should contain the following:
- A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
- A cover letter explaining how they meet the qualifications and can contribute to the objectives of PDF.
- Any other relevant documents
