Consultancy opportunities

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The GSDRC is committed to attracting the best technical expertise in the aid and development sector to help support our clients’ varied needs. We also aim to help guide and support those with relevant qualifications who wish to become consultants to join our pool, as we and our clients are particularly keen to bring new talent to the sector. This note provides guidance to prospective, as well as current, consultants.

The GSDRC is particularly interested to hear from national consultants in developing countries.

For more information, please contact the consultancy services team consultants@gsdrc.org or, call us at +44 (0) 118 956 6066

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Applying for opportunities

Opportunities with the GSDRC are not advertised. However, if you are approached by one of our consortium to apply, it is important to read through any documents and information you have been sent such as terms of reference (ToRs), background briefing notes and details of location, timing etc.

Most positions will require you to provide a Curriculum Vitae/Resume which has been specifically tailored to the position being advertised (see how to prepare a CV for more information). You should also ensure that you supply details of your availability, willingness to travel and expected daily fee rate. We do not usually require a formal technical or financial response to the ToRs. However, please be aware that you may be required to submit such details from time to time (see how to prepare additional/supporting information).

Some general guidelines to assist you to prepare your CV are as follows:

  • Think about the position – it is essential that your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria for the position. It is obvious to an assessor when an applicant is trying to ‘bend’ or ‘mould’ their experience to fit a position. If you are unsure, before you invest your time in responding, review your skills, knowledge and experience against the selection criteria for the relevant position. Be honest with yourself about your suitability for the position – if you are not the right person on this occasion, do not apply. This then enables you to explore other opportunities.
  • Check the closing date for submissions – most GSDRC opportunities are open for a short period of time, sometimes only a few days, so make sure you note the relevant closing date and time. If you have time to respond immediately, it is a good idea to do so, as this will allow us more time to make an internal review of your application, make quality checks and negotiate contractual terms with you. Please note however, that in fairness to all consultants, all suitable candidates are simultaneously submitted to our client for assessment.
  • Be mindful of the length of your CV – you need to make an impact with your CV so keep it short and ensure that it demonstrates your experience in the required areas. If your CV does not effectively reflect this, the assessor will find it difficult to judge your experience.
  • Be careful not to ‘recycle’ your CV – we see many consultants sending in the same CV for different positions on multiple occasions. If you have not been successful for a position that was of interest to you, try to gain some feedback so you can better prepare you CV next time. As the client’s selection is based on the content of your CV, it is essential this is properly written to address the requirements of the assignment (see how to prepare a CV).
  • Review your CV– this is the most important step. Go back to the assessment criteria and instructions and check your responses. Some questions to ask yourself are:

    1. Have I covered everything required?
    2. Is it easy to read?
    3. Is everything I’ve written relevant to this specific  position?
    4. Have I included my most up to date details?
    5. Have I included referees, salary expectations etc (if requested)?

On receipt of CVs (and any supporting documents required), all submissions for GSDRC opportunities are internally reviewed and a shortlist of all suitable candidates are then submitted to our client for final selection. Please bear in mind that this may take several weeks. As soon as we have been given a selection decision by our client, you will be advised.

 
How to prepare a CV

For GSDRC opportunities, our clients make the majority of their selection decisions based only on CVs so their content and structure is crucial. Only on a few occasions are clients able to interview candidates in person. It is therefore important to present your CV in: 

  • a clear and consistent way – this makes it easier for the client to assess the CVs;
  • a manner which contains concise and relevant information.

The first step is to identify the purpose of the CV. The position may be for an individual or as part of a team. For example:

  • your CV might be submitted as a single independent technical expert and so may need to demonstrate your expertise in a single technical area; or
  • your CV might need to demonstrate that you can offer a particular strength/competence as part of a team and therefore might need to emphasise certain qualities (such as geographical experience or track-record with a donor).

As requirements for different assignments and clients vary, you should carefully assess what is being required of you to undertake a specific opportunity. For example, for technical experts brought in for short-term inputs, your technical skills and experience may be most relevant. For team members responsible for  project management, an understanding of the requirements of the donor and an ability to manage teams may be more important.

In all cases it will be important to tailor the message in the CV to the ToRs of the project/purpose of that CV. See our suggested format for further guidance. For those of you new to the development industry or the GSDRC, we have included some hints on exactly what information to include.

 
How to prepare additional/supporting information

For GSDRC assignments, you will not normally be required to submit supporting technical or financial documents in response to ToRs. On the rare occasions when you are required to submit details of your technical approach or proposed costs, these will be in support of your CV, not a substitute.

What supporting evidence may be required from me to express my technical capability?
Some positions may require you to provide details of your proposed approach and methodology and workplan in response to the ToRs. This would outline how you intend to fulfil the requirements of the specific and a include a timetable for delivery.

What financial information may be required from me if any?
Financial proposals may need to include: number of input days required to complete the work; per diem costs and amount (accommodation and subsistence); travel costs; communications; and other costs.

 
Careers with the GSDRC and in the development sector

The GSDRC consortium members hold internal databases of consultants and would be pleased to hear from experienced advisors with solid experience in the related fields of Social Development, Governance and Conflict. Apply via our various consortium partners or email us at consultants@gsdrc.org. We would appreciate a copy of your most recent CV along with details of your standard expected daily fee rate and availability in the coming 6 month period. 

We are aware that it can be difficult to enter into consulting and that it can be challenging to build the depth and breadth of experience and demonstrate the skills and abilities essential for work in a development context. The following is a list of websites and links that may be useful in considering future career opportunities in the aid and development sector. Some of these websites and links include information on volunteer programmes which are often a good way to gain valuable and relevant experience.

 
Coffey International Development recruitment advice

The information provided on this page has been supplied by Coffey International Development, managers of the GSDRC consultancy services. With a strong global presence, Coffey International Development provides leading edge recruitment services in international development.  Our philosophy is based on a proven ability to enhance the productivity and quality of donor agencies and governments in sourcing the most effective people for the development context in a timely manner. 

 
Frequently asked questions

How soon will I hear back from the GSDRC?
Timelines will vary depending on closing dates, project priorities, volume of CV submissions and the complexity of assessment criteria. However, you should normally expect to hear from us around 2-4 weeks after the closing date for a specific submission. 

What criteria does the GSDRC use to determine who is considered for opportunities?
Our clients generally require consultants to have extensive technical/professional knowledge and expertise in their field, combined with demonstrated experience in developing countries. While developing country experience is highly regarded, there are some situations where it is not essential. However, being an expert in your field of choice is a key element, and for all positions, experience working in a development context is important.

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