Project Overview
NetHope aims to expand its community/programming audience to include approximately 30,000 local nonprofit organizations (NGOs) by designing a comprehensive digital service portfolio, potentially tiered. This service will offer information, practices, toolkits, training, advice, and peer-networking based on NetHope’s 20 years of experience in delivering these services to the largest global NGOs. The consultant will develop a business model, go-to-market strategy, and customer acquisition and retention plan. The project will involve selecting and engaging an initial cohort of about 20 NGOs, designing services based on NetHope’s existing assets, and setting up the necessary internal organization and infrastructure. The first cohort will experience the Minimum Lovable Product (MLP).

Objectives

1. Design a Business Model:

• Develop a sustainable and scalable business model for the digital service portfolio.
• Ensure the model accommodates both paying (i.e. customers pay) and sponsored (i.e. donor pays for customer) organizations.

1. Go-to-Market Strategy:

• Define the target market (e.g. revenue threshold, accreditation, mission scope), and market expansion strategy (e.g. by geography, by theme, etc.)
• Create a strategy to introduce the digital services to the target market.
• Define positioning, pricing, sponsorship, and promotion plans.

1. Customer Acquisition and Retention:

• Develop a comprehensive plan for acquiring and retaining local NGO members.
• Define, identify and engage the first cohort of approximately 20 NGOs.

1. Service Design:

• Design the digital service portfolio utilizing NetHope’s existing assets.
• Ensure the services meet the needs of national and regional sized nonprofits and align with their missions.

1. Internal Organization Design:

• Recommend the necessary talent and departmental networking.
• Propose an organizational structure to support the new service offerings.

1. Infrastructure Development:

• Identify and set up systems and data infrastructure required to support the digital services.

1. Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) Implementation:

• Ensure the first cohort experiences the minimum lovable product.
• Collect feedback and refine the services accordingly.

Scope of Work

Phase 1: Research and Analysis (Month 1)

• Conduct market research to understand the needs and challenges of mid-sized national and regional nonprofits. This will leverage all the current work that NetHope has advanced and be focused on the programme partners of our global-scale International Nongovernmental Organization (INGO) Members.
• Analyse NetHope’s current assets and capabilities.
• Perform a gap analysis to identify areas requiring development or enhancement.

Phase 2: Business Model and Strategy Development (Month 2-3)

• Design a business model that includes revenue streams, sponsorship opportunities, and value propositions.
• Develop a detailed go-to-market strategy for new nonprofits customers.
• Create a customer acquisition and retention plan.

Phase 3: Service Design and Cohort Selection (Month 4)

• Design the digital services portfolio.
• Select and engage the first cohort of approximately 20 NGOs.
• Develop service delivery plans tailored to the cohort’s needs.

Phase 4: Internal Organization and Infrastructure Design (Month 5)

• Recommend the necessary talent and departmental structure.
• Propose and set up the required systems and data infrastructure.

Phase 5: MLP Implementation and Feedback (Month 6)

• Roll out the MLP to the first cohort.
• Collect feedback and refine the services.
• Prepare a final report with recommendations for scaling.

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive market research report.
• Business model document.
• Go-to-market strategy plan.
• Customer acquisition and retention plan.
• Service design document.
• List of selected NGOs for the first cohort.
• Internal organization and infrastructure proposal.
• MLP implementation plan and feedback report.
• Final project report with recommendations.

Responsibilities

Consultant:

• Lead and execute all phases of the project.
• Regularly report progress to NetHope.
• Engage with stakeholders (Members, their programme partners, and NetHope partners) and gather feedback.
• Ensure timely delivery of all deliverables.

NetHope:

• Provide access to necessary resources and information.
• Facilitate introductions to potential cohort of NGOs.
• Offer support and feedback throughout the project.

Timeline

• Month 1: Research and Analysis
• Month 2-3: Business Model and Strategy Development
• Month 4: Service Design and Cohort Selection
• Month 5: Internal Organization and Infrastructure Design
• Month 6: MLP Implementation and Feedback

Reporting
The consultant will report to the Chief Innovation Officer and provide the following updates supported by writing and data:

• Weekly Progress Reports: Summarizing activities, progress, and any issues encountered to the Chief Innovation Officer.
• Monthly Meetings: Detailed review of progress, milestones, and next steps to Senior Leadership Team.
• Final Presentation: Comprehensive presentation of the project outcomes, including recommendations for scaling to a wider audience that could include staff, Members, and the NetHope Board and NetHope Members.

General Conditions:

• NetHope is a virtual organization, so our team, our Members, and our Partners are located around the world. Due to the global nature of the organization, meetings may thus be required at any time of the day to meet with our stakeholders in varying time zones.
• As a global organization, we welcome qualified consultant with diverse backgrounds from locations around the Globe.
• The work will be performed in a 100% remote and virtual.
• All contractors must pass an OFAC screening.