RICHARD BENNETT

020 8520 8754

07903 584 664

48 Church Hill, London E17 9RY

CURRICULUM VITAE

As a freelancer I specialise in the principles and practice of leading, managing and participating in effective coalitions, networks, confederations and consortia. I support and facilitate collective process, conduct trainings, undertake evaluations, accompany reviews and development of strategies. I also review and support the development of management, structures and systems in organisations and offices; and support leaders and managers in the evolution and understanding of their roles, and both their strategic and day to day challenges.

My instinctive style is one of accompaniment and engagement, guiding processes which organisations and their members own for themselves. But I also enjoy a more outsider-objective analytical role.One of my strengths is an ability to capture, articulate and convert into action the collective aspirations of diverse stakeholders.

Having led successful networks and coalitions myself, I draw on a strong base of practical experience when supporting the challenges faced by their leaders and members. Freelancing has enabled me also to step back from this practical engagement with issues, to explore and developa range of conceptual frameworks to back up my work.

RICHARD BENNETT

CURRICULUM VITAE

Employment History

Freelance Consultant January 2008 - present

Current, longer-term engagements on network/coalition development include:

  • CONCORD (European Confederation of development NGOs): strategy review, strategic planning, Apr ’08 – Jun ’09
  • CONCORD: review & development of Secretariat, Sept ’08 – present
  • CIVICUS (World Alliance for Citizen Participation): Affinity Group of National Associations: strategy and implementation support, July ’08 – present
  • International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA): development of structures for governance, member engagement & strategy development, May ’08 – present
  • Countdown 2015 Europe (consortium of reproductive health NGOs): development, implementation and accompaniment of evaluation framework, Sept ’08 – present
  • Danish Family Planning Association: evaluation of Asia-wide network advocacy programme

Short consultancies to support network/coalition development have included:

  • International Planned Parenthood Fed’n – European Network (IPPF-EN): evaluation of capacity-building project for East European members, Nov-Dec ’09
  • FoRS (Czech NGO network): training, networkinfluencing strategies, Aug ’08
  • CIVICUS: civil society associations’ government relations: facilitation, Jun ’08
  • Stop AIDS Campaign: external environment review, strategic planning, Apr ’08
  • Regional Partnership Programme (NGO networks ofAustria, Czech & SlovakRepublics, Slovenia, Hungary): networks training, Mar ’08
  • Grow Up Free From Poverty Coalition, UK: Strategy review, coalition development, Jan-Mar ’08
  • BOND: review of national NGDO networks &codes of conduct, Jan-Apr ’08

Other consultancy has included:

  • Trocaire Northern Ireland: team development, Nov ’08, May ’09, Nov ’09
  • Third Sector Foresight, NCVO: futures overview for international NGOs, Apr ’08
  • Campaigning Effectiveness Team, NCVO (National Support Service for Campaigning and Advocacy, England): business planning, Jan-Mar ’08; partnership agreement development, Apr-Jun ’08

Voluntary Engagements current

  • Chair, Steering Committee, National Occupational Standards for Campaigning, UK Workforce Hub, NCVO
  • Board member, ACORD (African-led international NGO)

General Secretary July 1996 – October 2007

British Overseas NGOs for Development (BOND), UK

BOND is the national network of international development NGOs in the UK.

Managed and led the network from youth to influential maturity, building the trust and confidence of members in the value of a growing range of collective activity. Used participatory research and planning and a strong ability to identify and articulate common visions and values, to transform the network from a focus on seeking resources from government, to a common mission for the eradication of global poverty. BOND became the focal point for ensuring quality in NGOs’ relations with government; the representative of UK NGOs in European Union affairs; the central facilitator for collective sector campaigning and lobbying; a major deliverer of NGO training; and the fulcrum of NGOs’ networking and collaboration with each other. Developing BOND to this point required a deep understanding of the values and politics of the UK NGO sector; a commitment to and specialism in servant leadership; and a strong commitment to both the value of diversity and the benefits of collective action. I led representation of the sector to all levels of government, from Prime Minister to civil servants responsible for project funding decisions. During my leadership of BOND it grew from 100 to 330 member organisations; 2 to 23 staff; £100k to £1.3m budget; this required capability in all aspects of institutional management, fundraising, and the management of staff through substantial change.

More recent research/papers for BOND and its partners included:

  • The Networks Environment for Campaigning & Policy work in Global Justice Issues in the UK (2007)
  • Leadership for BOND: An Exploration (2005)

In addition I provided support and advice beyond the network through:

  • Strategic Advisory Group, CONCORD (the confederation of NGDOs in Europe)
  • Outcomes Funding Advisory Committee, Community Fund (now Big Lottery Fund)
  • Advisory Committee, Non-Governmental Public Action Programme (ESRC research funding programme, managed by LSE’s Centre for Civil Society)
  • Advisory Committee, ACEVO International Programme
  • Voluntary Sector Advisory Committee, Unity Trust Bank

Chair (concurrent with BOND) April 2004 – April 2006

Make Poverty History coalition, UK

Make Poverty History was an innovative, inspirational and highly successful campaign for trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid during 2005. BOND’s and my reputation as capable ‘honest brokers’ resulted in me chairing its Coordination Team, and BOND providing the administrative support for the coalition’s structures. The coalition developed from 40 founding, to 540 member organisations, including trades unions, student organisations and representatives of all major faiths. I led the Coordination Team in strategising, planning and overseeing this highly complex coalition and its delivery of a huge, fast-paced, high-profile campaign; this required very strong chairing and facilitation skills, conflict mediation and resolution, an ability to create and adjust complex participative structures, and communication/representation skills with ministers and media.

Regional Manager (Africa and Middle East) April 1994 – June 1996

Catholic Institute for International Relations (now Progressio),UK

Managed a team of UK-based and in-country managers, to oversee a programme of skilled, practical support for developmentorganisations in complex environments, including Somalia, the refugee and indigenous communities of Yemen, Namibia in transition, and Zimbabwe. Led review of CIIR’s approach to South Africa in the immediate post-Apartheid era.

International Officer 1991 - 1993

CONVERGENCE, The Philippines

Developed dialogue and funding with international NGOsfor this coalition of Philippine NGOs focused on integrated area development, enabling me to represent a southern organisation to northern NGOs and develop further my understanding of the power dynamics of partnership. Articulated the concepts of the coalition in funding proposals and concept papers, contributing to early development of the coalition’s thinking. Worked with Philippine NGOs, in this position and with VSO (see below), while they underwent substantial strategic and ideological reorientation following the end of martial law, developing my understanding of government-civil society relations, and the dynamics of civil society coalitions, at a time of rapid and intense political change.

Manager in the Philippines(concurrent with CONVERGENCE) 1991 - 1993

Philippine Resource Centre, London

Philippines-based manager for PRC’s innovative development education and advocacy programme in sustainable development. Conceptualised the programme, recruited and managed the Filipino worker, advised on and oversaw the development of innovative two-way development education on environment and development issues, which created partnerships between key UK organisations (such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace) and key Philippine NGOs.

Country Director, The Philippines 1988 - 1991

Voluntary Service Overseas

Managed a programme of skilled international volunteers, placed with Philippine NGOs, primarily in sustainable fisheries and agriculture, primary healthcare, livelihoods. Secured VSO’s first-ever funding from the European Commission. Created a programme of support for Philippine NGOs in cross-cultural management; developed approaches (new to VSO) to management of European personnel security, and to development education by them, in a complex political and conflict environment.

Evaluation Officer 1985 - 1988

Voluntary Service Overseas, UK

VSO’s first evaluation specialist. Created and oversaw first-ever country programme evaluations, and first-ever employment of national evaluators in country programmes. Created, implemented and analysed first-ever surveys of returned volunteers to evaluate impact of their international experience on their contributions to UK society later in life.

Agriculture Desk Officer 1982 - 1985

Voluntary Service Overseas, UK

Recruited, selected, trained and placed skilled volunteers worldwide, in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environmental education.

Evaluation Officer 1980 - 1982

Karonga Agricultural Development Division, Malawi

(as Overseas Development Institute Fellow)

Managed a team collecting and analysing sample survey data on all aspects of household farming practice, to assess the impact of this integrated rural development programme of the Malawi government funded by the World Bank. Member of senior management team.

Research Assistant 1979 - 1980

Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK

Research for a global economy modelling project, using secondary sources to establish data for critical equations supporting a ‘low income multiplier effect’ in developing countries.

Education History

MSc in the Economics of Less Developed Countries 1978 - 1979

University of Sussex

BA (hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics(2:1) 1975 - 1978

OrielCollege, OxfordUniversity