Are you passionate about social impact?
Ready to tackle the world's toughest problems?
Eager to develop your potential in the fast-paced and dynamic field of consulting?
Join SEEK Development as a Lead Consultant (freelance) for Spain in support of the Gates Foundation
SEEK Development is a consulting group based in Berlin, Germany, dedicated to supporting and shaping human development globally. The group provides support to leading institutions in global development in the areas of strategy and policy, organizational evaluation and development, knowledge generation, and advocacy. For more information visit www.seekdevelopment.org.
SEEK Development is looking for an outstanding candidate to lead our work in Spain for the Gates Foundation as a freelancer. We advice the Gates Foundation on a range of strategic issues and manage a network of consultants to support the Foundation's advocacy and policy work globally. The consultant will report into SEEK Development's Berlin office.
WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER
Consultancy: SEEK Development Lead Consultant for Spain in support of the Gates Foundation
Time investment: The Consultant is expected to provide approx. 4-6 days/month with additional surge support
Starting date: July 2026 (initial contract until the end of the year, with possibility for extension)
Location: Madrid, Spain
Freelance - Lead Consultant for Spain in support of the Gates Foundation (D/F/M)
Spain, Madrid
Part-time
Freelancer
WORK WITH US!
ABOUT YOUR ROLE
At a critical moment for international development, when donors are drawing back, Spain is increasingly taking an outsized role - from hosting the Sevilla conference on Financing for Development 2025 to making new commitments to support global health. At the same time, the Spanish political landscape is evolving quickly and new elections are set for 2027. Understanding these trends and where and how the Gates Foundation should engage around them to ensure ongoing support for its mission is at the heart of this exciting role.
You will directly support the Foundation's Country Team on their partnerships and advocacy in Spain. This will include providing timely and incisive briefings on key policy development, engaging sensitively with critical stakeholders (within and beyond the Foundation, government, parliament, philanthropic actors, think tanks/ academia; CSOs, private sector), and provide strategic sparring, coherent analysis, and evidence-informed advice. To succeed, you will need to be a strong analytical thinker, be fluent in conducting analysis into succinct presentations as well as deploying your effective interpersonal and communication skills.
As part of the role you will also contribute to cross-market projects as part of a network of expert consultants working with SEEK Development across key donor markets. This will include analysing budget and political developments, inputting to the development projections for development financing trends in Spain, and sharing strategic insights about pressing themes in development finance and policy.
Specifically, you will be responsible for:
1. Targeted intelligence, analysis and updates:
- Provide targeted intelligence, analysis, and updates of Spanish development policy and budgetary developments (incl. attending and debriefing on conferences/meetings)
- Analyse and enable access to key insights from political and budget documents in Spain (identifying how decisions about ODA are taken and the implications for financing for development)
- Provide support in preparing briefs
- Provide media monitoring and summary of key media coverage
2. Strategic analysis and advice
- Provide policy analysis and identify potential implications for the foundation
- Advise on opportunities for foundation engagement
- Provide thought partnership and strategic sparring
3. High quality, insight-driven presentations
- Develop high-quality, insight-driven presentations
- Conduct and synthesize quantitative and qualitative analyses
- Translate findings into concise, impactful, and executive-ready slides
- Create clear visuals and charts that highlight key insights
- Maintain strong attention to detail, analytical rigor, and clarity of communication
You will directly support the Foundation's Country Team on their partnerships and advocacy in Spain. This will include providing timely and incisive briefings on key policy development, engaging sensitively with critical stakeholders (within and beyond the Foundation, government, parliament, philanthropic actors, think tanks/ academia; CSOs, private sector), and provide strategic sparring, coherent analysis, and evidence-informed advice. To succeed, you will need to be a strong analytical thinker, be fluent in conducting analysis into succinct presentations as well as deploying your effective interpersonal and communication skills.
As part of the role you will also contribute to cross-market projects as part of a network of expert consultants working with SEEK Development across key donor markets. This will include analysing budget and political developments, inputting to the development projections for development financing trends in Spain, and sharing strategic insights about pressing themes in development finance and policy.
Specifically, you will be responsible for:
1. Targeted intelligence, analysis and updates:
- Provide targeted intelligence, analysis, and updates of Spanish development policy and budgetary developments (incl. attending and debriefing on conferences/meetings)
- Analyse and enable access to key insights from political and budget documents in Spain (identifying how decisions about ODA are taken and the implications for financing for development)
- Provide support in preparing briefs
- Provide media monitoring and summary of key media coverage
2. Strategic analysis and advice
- Provide policy analysis and identify potential implications for the foundation
- Advise on opportunities for foundation engagement
- Provide thought partnership and strategic sparring
3. High quality, insight-driven presentations
- Develop high-quality, insight-driven presentations
- Conduct and synthesize quantitative and qualitative analyses
- Translate findings into concise, impactful, and executive-ready slides
- Create clear visuals and charts that highlight key insights
- Maintain strong attention to detail, analytical rigor, and clarity of communication
ABOUT YOU
WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT FOR THIS EXCITING ROLE:
- Advanced degree in economics, development studies, social sciences, public health, gender studies or a related field
- Minimum of five years of relevant work experience
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
- Ability to think strategically and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to self-manage: working independently and proactively managing areas of responsibility with minimal supervision
- Exceptional diplomatic and interpersonal skills, and ability to build relationships quickly
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations in PowerPoint; oral and written fluency in Spanish and English
- Excellent understanding of actors and decision-making processes relating to global development with a special focus on global health
- Demonstrated analytical rigor, structured problem-solving, and excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Prior experience in consulting or a similarly demanding, fast-paced environment would be an asset
WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER
This role is project-based for the year 2026, preferably starting as soon as possible (to be discussed with candidate). We are aiming to build a long-term relationship with the right freelancer with the potential for the renewal of the contract in 2027. We offer a daily rate of 650-750 euro.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
As an equal opportunity employer, we at SEEK are committed to a diverse, inclusive and healthy work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of ethnicity, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity.
APPLICATION DEADLINE + START DATE
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter. We will be reviewing CVs on a rolling basis. The role is a project-based for the year 2026, preferably starting as soon as possible (to be discussed with candidate).
Über uns
SEEK Development, Strategic and Organizational Consultants ist eine wachsende Strategie-, Politik- und Organisationsberatung in der internationalen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit. Unser Ziel ist es, zusammen mit unseren Klienten, komplexe globale Herausforderungen der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit zu bearbeiten und globale Entwicklung aktiv zu gestalten. Mit Erfahrung und Leidenschaft unterstützen wir internationale Organisationen, Regierungen, Nichtregierungsorganisationen sowie Stiftungen und Unternehmen dabei, ihre positive Wirksamkeit zu erhöhen und nachhaltige Ergebnisse zu erzielen.
Unsere Klienten sind führende Organisationen des Entwicklungssektors, u.a. die Weltgesundheitsorganisation, der Globale Fonds zur Bekämpfung zu Aids, Tuberkulose und Malaria, die Globale Bildungspartnerschaft bei der Weltbank, die Bill & Melinda Gates Stiftung, Save the Children, Plan International und viele weitere. Mehr Informationen zu uns findest Du unter www.seekdevelopment.org.