GDI is an incubator for transformational development ventures, working to build and scale the next generation of social impact solutions. From climate to agriculture, health to economic inclusion, we build across sectors to drive game-changing impact at scale. Whether the concepts originate from sector experts or are developed and tested ourselves, we create new approaches to address persistent global issues. Since our founding in 2013, GDI has built a significant track record in our field, having now shaped over 70 social impact ventures and raised over $900 million to support them.
One of GDI’s core portfolios is centered on achieving quality early childhood development (ECD). This portfolio’s mission is to ensure that all children – especially the most vulnerable – have access to quality nurturing care that drives lifelong health, educational, and economic outcomes. This portfolio began with the launch of NurtureFirst, a Kenya-based organization launched to build and strengthen systems that support home-based childcare, the most organically scaled form of childcare globally. The portfolio has grown to include several other early-stage efforts, one of which we are now hiring a short-term consultant for.
GDI is partnering with Earlybird Educare@Work, a South African early childhood education (ECD) provider, on a new “Discovery” effort. Earlybird’s model places teachers at the centre of quality — investing heavily in how educators are recruited, trained and supported. Earlybird has an impressive track record of results on early childhood development outcomes and a sustainable cross-subsidization financial model. This Discovery will explore whether the transferable elements of that model can be packaged and disseminated affordably at scale, which would include a low-cost, AI-enabled tool, to reach educators and children in low-resource settings.
Over roughly ten weeks, the Discovery will assess which components of the approach are genuinely transferable, test demand among potential adopters (including other ECD providers, networks and government), and outline a strategy and incubation pathway for disseminating the model and measuring its impact. The findings will inform a go / no-go decision and, if warranted, a design phase.
GDI is seeking an experienced South Africa–based consultant to lead the on-the-ground research for the Discovery. The successful candidate will lead key pieces of analysis, engage directly with the Earlybird team in South Africa, help map the Earlybird model and its supporting components, scan the wider ECD landscape and gather demand signals from potential adopters, and ultimately inform the decision to progress to a design phase with this incubation.
Position: Independent contractor
Office: GDI Americas
Location: South Africa (remote)
Reports to: Managing Director, GDI Americas
Start date: August 2026
Engagement: 8-10 weeks, part-time (~2 days per week)
Approach analysis & assessment
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Assemble and organise Earlybird’s existing materials and intellectual property (e.g. curriculum, training materials, assessment and recruitment tools) into a usable inventory
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Analyze the different components of Earlybird’s approach to assess their impact on child development outcomes and their transferability and adaptability to other contexts
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Organize and run a survey and focus groups with Earlybird teachers to gather direct insights into the key quality drivers of the Earlybird approach
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Plan and coordinate the logistics and itinerary for the team’s in-country learning visit (center visits, stakeholder interviews, etc.)
Market demand testing
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Assess Earlybird approach against comparable tools and models that exist in the ECD landscape
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Define target adopter segments for the approach and develop hypotheses around value proposition and use cases
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Plan and conduct interviews with potential adopters (other ECD providers and networks, relevant government stakeholders) to test demand and willingness (and ability) to pay
Synthesis and coordination
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Synthesize Discovery findings into clear outputs (memos, presentations) to inform decision-making
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Support the team with business model development work, impact framework development, and assessment of incubation pathway options
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Support overall project management and engagement between the GDI and Earlybird teams to keep the work moving at pace
Essential
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Significant strategy experience derived either from a management/strategy consulting position or internal strategy role for a mission-driven organization.
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Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including experience developing surveys, conducting interviews and running focus groups.
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Outstanding analytical skills, including commitment to rigor and evidence, attention to detail, and ability to produce structured and compelling reports and outputs.
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Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
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Able to work independently, manage logistics, and produce high-quality outputs at pace with limited supervision.
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Experience working with populations in low-resource settings
Desirable
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Based in South Africa, able and willing to travel to early-learning centres (Cape Town and/or Johannesburg areas).
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Working knowledge of South Africa’s ECD sector, including its providers, policy and funding context.
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Existing networks in the ECD sector and/or relationships with government (e.g. Departments of Basic Education or Social Development, at national, provincial or district level).
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Experience working with social impact organizations and stakeholders.
Please send a short CV and a brief note stating your interest in and qualifications for the position to [email protected] and [email protected] by 31 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Global Development Incubator is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
