Market Development Consultant (Corporate Partnerships) RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Market Development Consultant (Corporate Partnerships)

Issue Date: June 12, 2026

Proposal Due Date: July 26, 2026

Location: Washington, DC | Duration: Short-term consultancy

Compensation: Performance-based (commission)

1. Background

IREX is seeking a high-performing Market Development Consultants to drive new corporate partnerships and revenue growth. This is a results-driven role for a senior business development professionals with a strong network and proven ability to source and close deals.

Consultants will lead the full lifecycle of corporate engagement—from identifying opportunities to closing partnerships—aligned with IREX’s global mission and strategic priorities.

This RFP is intended to select multiple applicants from the applications.

2. Scope of Work

• Identify and engage prospective corporate partners
• Lead outreach, introductions, and relationship-building efforts
• Advance opportunities through the full business development lifecycle
• Support negotiation and finalization of partnerships (IREX retains signing authority)
• Provide strategic advice on revenue-generating opportunities
• Deliver monthly progress updates and pipeline reporting

What Success Looks Like

• New corporate partnerships sourced and closed
• Measurable revenue growth aligned with IREX priorities
• Strong, documented pipeline of qualified opportunities

3. Compensation Structure

• Commission-based
• Payment contingent on:
  • Execution of agreements
  • Verified contribution
  • Expected profit realization

No guaranteed base compensation.

4. Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Proven track record in closing corporate partnerships or sales deals
• Strong network in industries aligned with social impact, education, or global development
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed, and results-driven
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, law, international development, social science, or another relevant field, advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience to convert leads into signed agreements
• Exceptional collaboration skills and a proven track record of working effectively with non-technical staff at all levels.
• Professional interpersonal and communication skills in English (written and oral), including a demonstrated ability to promote IREX offerings to partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must demonstrate:

• At least 10 years of experience in business development, corporate outreach, strategic partnerships;
• Experience across a variety of funders
• Ability to meet compressed deadlines and participate in rapid review cycles;
• Professional English writing/editing proficiency (other languages are an advantage).

5. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested offerors must submit a CV that has a list of prior experience showing how you convert leads into signed agreements.

• 1-2 page CV

6. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and qualifications (50%): demonstrated experience in the requested functional area(s).
• Demonstrated experience with corporate fundraising (50%): documented familiarity with requirements and formats with relevant funders.

7. Terms and Conditions

• Work is limited to private sector / corporate partnerships (no government-funded business development)
• Consultant does not represent IREX legally or sign agreements
• Compensation is fully performance-based and contingent
• All services will be subject to IREX contractual terms and procurement policies

IREX may, at its discretion, select multiple offerors and accept proposals for one or more functional areas. IREX reserves the right to enter into multiple contracts or to make no awards as a result of this RFP.

Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted electronically through this RPF announcement and the link on IREX’s website

Deadline: July 26th 2026 11:59 PM EDT