Consultancy and Thought Leadership

DRIVING LEARNING AND CHANGE THROUGH COLLABORATION

Driving sector-wide, organisational and individual learning and change requires critical friends with knowledge, skills and experience to share. At United Edge, we provide thought leadership and advisory services focused on shifting to a Justice Based Approach. For select projects, we also lead collaboration, consultancies and facilitation to support those working to shift power, freeing up our partners' time and energy so that they can focus on achieving their ambitions.

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE

As the team responsible for developing the Justice Based Approach, we are particularly passionate about evolving conversations about aid, charity, and development towards those focused on Justice. Afterall, marginalized people aren't calling for aid, charity or development; they are calling for Justice.

We hold conversations with policy leaders and decision-makers about JBA and shifting power. We advocate for truly decolonizing aid and shifting power to those who are actually affected by our projects -- beyond localisation and consultation to true ownership of aid initiative.

We engage with those beyond our sector who are working in industry, finance, education, public health and those who represent small businesses. We connect with leaders in grassroots activism and global movements.

We also write, undertake public speaking, and join panels to spread the word about JBA.

Our goal is a world where the principles of JBA are embedded into all parts of life. And we won't stop working until that happens.

COLLABORATIVE CONSULTANCY

We strategically take on consultancy projects and collaborations that have a significant impact on our goals. We're particularly interested in collaborating with movements for social transformation, sector-wide initiatives and working with networks and consortia. We have led large-scale reviews and evaluations of programmes with a JBA lens, engaged in participatory strategy design, collaborated with major humanitarian and futures thinking networks, and conducted training programmes with global cohorts of change-makers. Our portfolio includes:

embedding JBA into organisational/movement DNA
strategy and programme design and set-up
strategic foresight processes
programme reviews and evaluation
co-creating safeguarding systems
training and mentoring
monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning frameworks
knowledge and information management systems
conference and workshop facilitation
participatory research and strategy development
partnership development and strengthening
capacity building and needs assessing

More about us

INTERESTED?

Our process to partner is simple.

Whether you contact us or we contact you, we suggest an initial consultation meeting before commissioning services to discuss the project or problem. This means we get to know each other before deciding to dive in.
We have a simple screening exercise to make sure our strategies and values align with the goals of the service. We will do this immediately after the consultation.
We make a conscious decision to partner and discuss next steps. The whole process is quick and easy.

Get in touch

"We worked with United Edge on a Programme Design Review Case Study [that] greatly helped us to reflect and consider how we can improve current and future thinking and approach to programme design"

Head of DEPP Portfolio, Start Network, UK

CONSULTANCY FEATURES

Consultancy is the driest term in the world to say what we mean -- essentially supporting inspiring movements or initiatives for social change. Here are some key features of our services.

PERSPECTIVE

We bring an external perspective with an insider’s approach. Sometimes a piece of work needs certain skills. Sometimes it needs expert knowledge. Sometimes it needs experienced facilitation. We work with our partners to tailor our service to the project’s unique needs. If we don’t think we’re best-placed to help you, we’ll try to connect you with someone who is.

INTEGRITY

We are committed exclusively to taking on projects that we believe in. It doesn’t matter how big or small because system change happens at all levels and scales. However, the projects we work on all have one thing in common: they are trying to create a more just world through social change. That is the niche where we choose to partner. JBA is always the foundation.

ANALYSIS

We believe in getting to the root causes of problems and logically designing solutions based on good evidence and participation. We always find a range of alternative solutions, both well-tested and cutting edge. We are honest about both the good and the bad. Our findings are all backed up by quality data. It sounds like common sense, but it’s where most projects fail.