KOICA, Donor Engagement Consultant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Background The International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis. SCOPE OF WORK: The Consultant will gather intelligence and information via desk research, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and other modalities to develop a report on KOICA to understand their position, priorities, and preferences as a major donor of International Development and Humanitarian Aid. The Consultant will develop evidence-based recommendations based on this research for the IRC to pursue KOICA as a new donor, or to cease consideration of KOICA as a funding partner. S/he will work closely with the IRC team at HQ and in the ROK throughout this consultancy. INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME and DELIVERABLES The consultancy will begin tentatively on 18 August and the deliverables will be due in accordance with agreed upon timeframes. The IRC team will review and finalize the following breakdown of tasks with the consultant:1. Gather intel via desk research, key informant interviews (KII) with KOICA and/or KOICA implementing partners, and other modalities to be confirmed between the IRC team and the consultant, about KOICA to understand their position, priorities, preferences, and role as a major Humanitarian / International Development Donor. Specifically to understand: KOICA’s overall geographic priorities with a focus on KOICA priority geographies which are aligned to IRC country presence. KOICA’s current technical priorities, specifically in the areas of humanitarian assistance, health, education, climate resilience, economic growth and protection. How does KOICA fund implementing partners? What funding mechanisms do they employ? Grants, contracts, in-kind, volunteers, etc.? How are funding mechanism selections developed? How could IRC Inc. (HQ) receive funding from KOICA for its country programs? Could IRC Korea receive funding from KOICA for country programs, similar to the structures for IRC DE or IRC UK to access European and British funding?Does KOICA only fund organizations with registration in the ROK or do they also fund INGOs without registration in the ROK?What are registration requirements for INGOs with offices in the ROK that facilitate eligibility for an INGO to receive KOICA funding?What are the eligibility requirements for INGOs to receive KOICA funding?What are the eligibility requirements for Korean organizations to receive KOICA funding? Is it feasible to work with and through Korean organizations? How does KOICA define CSOs? What is KOICA’s annual budget? What is the average award size and duration? What is KOICA’s annual award cycle? What is the breakdown of KOICA’s annual budget by geography, technical priority areas, and to INGOs vs Korean organizations? How is KOICA’s annual budget allocation determined? What is KOICA’s proposal development process? Concept Note to Proposal? Do pre and post award collaterals (proposals, reports, etc.) need to be submitted in English, Korean, or the working language of the country where programs are implemented? Does KOICA prioritize public – private partnerships? If so, what is the structure of this modality and what are the requirements to pursue funding in this way? Who are the main KOICA stakeholders? Government authorities? Civil Society? International Entities? Private sector? Etc. Who are KOICA’s key implementing partners and how are they funded? Which Korean organizations? Which INGOs (Oxfam, Save, Plan, etc.)? What proportion of KOICA’s budget is allocated to Country Programs/Projects vs World Friends Korea (CSO volunteers)? How does KOICA make funding decisions?What are KOICA’s evaluation criteria (localization. gender inclusion, innovation, etc.?) for funding proposals?2. World Friends Korea (CSO volunteers)What are the requirements for CSO/INGOs to host KOICA volunteers?What is the application process to host KOICA volunteers?Are KOICA volunteers primarily professionals seeking to contribute their technical expertise, ie medical doctors contributing to work for 4 weeks at mobile medical units? Or university age interns seeking professional experience? Or disaster / emergency response teams, ie Team Rubicon?3. Provide regular updates and provide a final report on research findings about KOICA as described in items 1 and 2, above. The final report will also include evidence based recommendations for IRC to engage with KOICA to pursue funding to become an implementing partner; or evidence based recommendations for IRC to cease consideration of KOICA as a donor.The Consultant will work for a maximum of 80 hours over the period tentatively set for 25 August to 30 September 2025. The following are expected from the consultant no later than the dates indicated: Deliverables Completion date Bi-weekly memos to provide updates on KOICA research progress (bulleted email, no more then 1-page) TBD Final report on KOICA research findings and evidence based recommendations for IRC’s further engagement with KOICA 30 September 2025 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: • A minimum qualification of Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Political Science, or related field. • Professional experience working with KOICA, either as a direct employee or as an employee of a KOICA implementing partner • Ability to meet with KOICA in-person at their HQ in the Seoul metropolitan area • Experience gathering research and intel in diverse formats (desk research, key informant interviews, etc.) • Experience with Major Institutional Donor Engagement (FCDO, UN, USAID, EU, ECHO, World Bank, Gavi, etc.) prioritized • Experience with INGO Business Development for Institutional Donor Funding preferred • Excellent oral and written communications skills and demonstrated ability to write and produce documents (reports, white papers, etc.) under tight deadlines; • Excellent English and Korean speaking/writing skills essential Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. Cookies: US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.