Consultancy Trends 2025: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Consultants

Let’s be honest: 2025 is a tough year for consultants. There’s more competition than ever, budgets are often tight, and in some cases, consultancies are simply under-scoped for the level of expertise required. At the same time, we’re seeing a significant drop—between 30 and 40 percent—in published consultancy assignments across major platforms such as ReliefWeb, UNJobs, DevNetJobs, and TheGoodFeat since early this year. For many, this feels destabilizing and uncertain.

But this is not a collapse—it’s a transition. The consultancy sector is reshaping itself in response to global and sector-specific shifts. While the uncertainty can be unsettling, this moment also holds space for realignment, reinvention, and resilience. For consultants who are ready to adapt, 2025 offers both challenges and opportunities.

5 Key Consultancy Trends to Watch in 2025

1. Consultancy Is Becoming a Core Strategic Function

One of the most significant consultancy trends in 2025 is the shift in how organizations view consultants. Organizations are no longer just filling temporary gaps or plugging holes in their teams. Instead, they are turning to consultants to help navigate transitions, respond to internal hiring freezes, and deliver results with agility and precision.

Consultancy is now seen as a core strategic function. Consultants are expected to bring not only technical expertise but also strategic insight, flexibility, and the ability to drive change. This means that consultants who can position themselves as strategic partners—rather than just temporary staff—will have a competitive edge.

2. Specialized Expertise Matters More Than Ever

The consultancy market is getting sharper and more specialized. There is strong demand for consultants with expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), as well as technical, sector-specific skills in areas such as education, health, and climate. Cross-cutting roles are emerging that don’t fit neatly into traditional categories, reflecting the complexity of today’s challenges.

Digital innovation and data-driven approaches are also on the rise. Consultants who can leverage technology, analyze data, and propose innovative solutions are highly sought after. The ability to combine deep sector knowledge with digital skills is becoming a key differentiator in the consultancy market.

3. National and Hybrid Profiles Are Gaining Ground

Another important consultancy trend in 2025 is the growing emphasis on local and regional consultants. Organizations are increasingly seeking out national consultants who understand the local context and can build relationships on the ground. There is also a growing, though sometimes unclear, space for national consulting firms.

At the same time, there is a preference for multi-skilled, hybrid profiles—consultants who can move seamlessly between strategy, delivery, and facilitation. These hybrid consultants are valued for their versatility and ability to adapt to different project needs and working environments.

4. The Where and How of Consultancy Is Evolving

The geography and format of consultancy work are changing rapidly. Most assignments are now based in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, reflecting shifting priorities and funding streams in the humanitarian and development sectors. Remote and hybrid formats are becoming the norm, with many consultants working across borders from home, especially in research and digital roles.

This evolution in consultancy work means that consultants need to be adaptable, comfortable with digital collaboration tools, and able to work effectively in virtual teams. The ability to manage projects and deliver results remotely is now a core requirement for many consultancy assignments.

5. Repositioning Is Not Optional—It’s Essential

In this shifting market, the ability to adapt and reposition yourself is not optional—it’s essential. The most successful consultants in 2025 are those who are proactive about updating their skills, expanding their networks, and exploring new fields.

Skills in demand include monitoring, evaluation, and applied research; fundraising and partnerships; capacity strengthening; agile leadership and change management; data literacy; tech-enabled solutions; and innovation in development. Consultants who invest in coaching to reposition their profile or shift sectors, retrain on topics aligned with sector trends, or explore emerging fields such as climate, social innovation, and tech for good will be best positioned for success.

What Recruiters Are Prioritizing—And What They Might Need to Rethink

Recruiters are responding to these consultancy trends in 2025 by creating lean rosters of vetted consultants, sourcing more local and regional talent, and engaging consultants who can deliver both strategy and execution under pressure. There is a clear emphasis on consultants who can adapt quickly, work independently, and produce results in dynamic environments.

However, it’s worth asking whether these rosters are truly delivering when it matters most. Are they diverse, current, and dynamic? Are they built on trust and experience, or are they simply lists of names in a spreadsheet? Are they helping organizations move fast and stay responsive in a changing context?

Static rosters may no longer be enough. The future of consultancy lies in agile, trust-based networks—where performance, reputation, and adaptability matter more than paperwork. Consultants and recruiters alike will need to focus on building relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating value in real time.

Navigating Uncertainty: You Are Not Alone

The consultancy market in 2025 can feel uncertain, but you are not alone in navigating it. At TheGoodFeat, we track these shifts daily through job monitoring, recruiter feedback, and direct insights from the consultancy community. Our goal is to help you stay informed, aligned, and ready for what’s next.

If you’re a consultant, your experience matters. Share your challenges, your wins, and your shifts—either in the comments or directly with us. By keeping the conversation real and open, we can all learn from each other and build a stronger, more resilient consultancy community.

Stay Ahead with TheGoodFeat

Explore the latest consultancy trends in 2025 and access curated consultancy leads at test.thegoodfeat.com. Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, insights, and handpicked opportunities tailored to consultants in the humanitarian and development sectors.

At TheGoodFeat, our mission is to empower consultants to navigate change, seize new opportunities, and thrive in a rapidly evolving market. Whether you are repositioning your profile, seeking new assignments, or looking to expand your skills, we are here to support your journey.

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