In the world of international development, the relationship between the development community and consultants is symbiotic. Organisations benefit from the specialised expertise that consultants bring to the table; consultants rely on projects from international organisations (IOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to sustain their livelihoods.
However, a major challenge that plagues this otherwise fruitful relationship is the lack of recognition and communication when consultants submit their proposals.
We already write about this in a blog post of November 2019. The development community and consultants share a unique symbiosis. IOs and NGOs often need specialised knowledge, technical skills and fresh perspectives to address complex challenges in their projects. This is where consultants play a crucial role. Their expertise, gained through years of experience, can provide valuable insights and innovative approaches that can drive positive change. Conversely, consultants rely on organisations to provide them with opportunities to apply their skills and contribute to meaningful projects.
This interdependence underscores the need for a strong and transparent relationship based on effective communication: both parties rely on each other's strengths and expertise to achieve their common goals of sustainable development and positive social impact.
All too often, consultants submit their proposals and never even receive an acknowledgement from the organisation. Consultants invest considerable time and effort in preparing detailed technical proposals and work plans tailored to the specific needs of a project. However, all too often these submissions seem to disappear into a void, without even a simple acknowledgement of receipt - let alone an indication of next steps. This lack of communication not only undermines the consultant's efforts, but also hinders their ability to plan their time and availability effectively.
Communication is the basis of any successful relationship. In the context of the development community and consultants, effective communication is essential to fostering a healthy and productive partnership.
Organisations must recognise that by acknowledging consultants' submissions and providing timely updates on the status of their proposals, they not only demonstrate professionalism, but also foster an atmosphere of trust and respect.
Organisations should prioritise transparent communication, including informing consultants of the outcome of their proposals. Even if a consultant's proposal is not selected, a simple note acknowledging their efforts will go a long way towards maintaining a positive relationship.
Submitting a proposal requires considerable time, effort and expertise on the part of the consultant. Preparing a detailed technical proposal and work plan tailored to the specific needs of the project requires careful thought and dedication. By recognising the consultant's efforts, organisations show respect for the work invested and acknowledge the consultant's contribution.
Consultants are professionals who rely on their reputation and relationships to secure future projects. When an organisation fails to communicate the outcome of a proposal, it leaves the consultant in a state of uncertainty and disengagement. This lack of response not only hinders the consultant's ability to plan their time and availability effectively, but also undermines the trust and relationship.
In addition, other crucial stakeholders in the process, such as field staff and local experts, also place their hopes on the outcomes of procedures . Field staff and local experts, who often depend even more for work on these consultancies also deserve clear and timely answers - which we can not provide! .
Organisations should endeavour to communicate the outcome of a proposal in a clear and timely manner. If a consultant's proposal is selected, prompt communication detailing the next steps and the organisation's enthusiasm for moving forward will set a positive tone for the collaboration. On the other hand, if the proposal is not selected, organisations should still communicate this in a respectful manner. A simple note expressing appreciation for the consultant's efforts, along with a brief explanation of the decision, can go a long way towards maintaining a positive relationship.
Effective communication goes beyond simple acknowledgement. Organisations can enhance the value of their response by providing constructive feedback to the consultant, especially if their proposal is not selected. This feedback helps the consultant understand the organisation's perspective and areas for improvement, ultimately contributing to the consultant's professional growth. Constructive criticism, given respectfully, enables consultants to refine their skills, strengthen future proposals and build stronger relationships with organisations in the long term.
In addition, providing feedback and constructive criticism can help consultants refine their skills and proposals, thereby improving the overall quality of future submissions. In addition, organisations should strive to communicate project timelines so that consultants can plan their availability and allocate their resources efficiently.
To strengthen the collaboration between the development community and consultants, it is imperative that development organisations recognize the importance of communication and actively engage in transparency and responsiveness, treating consultants as partners rather than merely service providers.