Abstract
Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP) is a philanthropic arm of Accenture that supports an innovative not-for-profit business model as a means to channel the core business capabilities of
Accenture to organizations in the international development sector. This article will give an overview of the offering, a look inside the industry where large corporations choose ethics over profit and will help the reader gain an understanding of what is necessary to successfully work within this group.
.

Ethics vs, Profit: An Exploration of Accenture Development Partnership

My goal is clear; it has been for roughly five years now. When I left the not-for-profit sector and joined a Accenture, I did so with the very specific goal of returning with new and fine-tuned skills. As I sat in my New Joiner Orientation and learned about ADP, I knew that one day I would join Accenture Development Partnerships and once again work on projects that serve the greater good. I will channel the skills I have gained from my experience within a multi- national corporation, bring my non-for-profit sensibilities, expertise in development and fundraising to help advance sustainable solutions to global development challenges. Until joining Accenture, all of my adult work experience comes from the not-for-profit sector where I worked in very creative atmosphere within event management, fundraising and development..
After years of mounting mistrust of corporations and strong desire to distance myself from all things “corporate” I am humbled by the good work my corporate colleagues are doing. In fact, in many ways, they are outperforming my not-for-profit colleagues. They seem to possess a clarity, focus and ability to respond to an issue without being driven by emotion. This emotional response, many times, is the Achilles heel of the average not-for-profit worker.

Each day is a new learning experience, I look forward to becoming a more integral part of the NGO–corporate alliances that have been forming over the last several decades. I am fascinated by watching the growing number of multi- national corporations tackle social issues.
The way they approach humanitarian issues is no different than the approach used in for-profit scenarios. It is systematic, results driven, methodical, disciplined and proven. I have the privilege of watching, from an internal perspective, as Accenture, again and again pulls ahead of

the competition in all aspects of our business. When I joined Accenture almost 5 years ago I had less than 80,000 colleagues worldwide, that number today is almost 260,000 with a target to hire an addition 70,000 resources in 2012. Can you name another company that has more than tripled their work force in the recent economy? To the contrary, we are so often hearing about mass layoffs and pay-cuts. In ADP, we have also grown in leaps and bounds, that growth is not enjoyed only by the for-profit business side.

Accenture Development Partnerships is a group within Accenture designed to operate on a not for profit basis to channel Accenture’s strategic business, technology and project management expertise to non-profit organizations, NGOs, foundation and donor organizations operating in the development sector—helping these organizations achieve their social and economic development goals. ADP started as a corporate social enterprise in 2003 and as at May 2010 completed 330 projects for 74 non-profit clients, working across 58 developing countries, and deploying more than 700 Accenture employees. ADP’s major clients include: UNDP, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oxfam, Plan International, WWF, CARE, Save the Children, International Red Cross, GAIN, and World Vision. Accenture Development Partnerships was set up to deliver the same high level of innovation and best practice enjoyed by its commercial clients, but at rates in line with the development/NGO industry norm. There are three areas of focus within the services offer in ADP.
• Organizational Strengthening – the day to day administrative tasks necessary to run a successful organization are streamlines, functions are made more efficient, IT is utilized to improve practices
• Program Innovation – private-sector thinking is introduced to help develop microfinance focus and core competencies in technology
• Cross-Sectoral Partnerships – support to bridge the relationship between public, non-profit and private entities, helping them work together to address global challenges
The consultancy offered is on a not-for-profit basis; so the professional fees levied are designed to cover cost, not to generate profit. This is achieved through a three-way contribution comprising sponsorship from Accenture who provide consultants at marginal cost, free of profit and overhead; contribution from employees through a voluntary salary reduction and contribution from clients through the payment of fees, which are set at a fraction of usual commercial market rates.
It is difficult to offer a salary range or even a “day in the life” for this work force. The scale slides dramatically depending upon the project, location, duration, experience, etc. I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the core team managers who is based out of New York City
Nevin Vages. He offered much in sight, inspiration and guidance on how to break into ADP. The initial advice was a bit tough to hear, simply put, I could forget my dream of working in ADP unless I had my four year degree. So when I am asked how will the Centenary program help me achieve my goal, it’s as clear as day! Without my degree, I will not be able to join nongovernmental organizations are forming alliances and working together to combat social issues around the globe. Once the degree is in hand there is a rigorous acceptance process that one needs to go through:
• At least year years of continuous employment with Accenture

• You must be a top performer within Accenture, only “Above Peer Group and above will be considered
• Only managers and above are eligible
• You must be willing to relocated, often to living conditions most Americans would not be accustomed to
• A pay cut of 50% is the norm (although, living expenses are provided for)
Here are a couple of examples of current roles available through ADP:
• Nigeria National Health Insurance Scheme Project Manager o The Project Manager will work closely with IFS and the National Health Insurance Scheme stakeholders involved in financing Strategy, in order to effectively conduct an ‘As-is’ assessment of current funding strategy of NHIS and then investigate realistic funding alternatives culminating in A Public Financing Strategy Report. The project will begin in early December for 4-6 months – with an assumed 2 weeks holiday break - based in either Lagos or Abuja, with expectation to travel in Nigeria and potentially regionally/internationally.
• Change Management / Business Case Development Consultant o The goal of the YDSN is to serve as a platform and think tank, providing expertise and capacity to support government, the private sector, national and community-based organizations in more effective engagement with youth. The objective is to accomplish this by providing access to assessment and research at the country level, building evidence and assessing regional trends, identifying important areas for investment, creating country and regional linkages, and, building capacity for service delivery and program development support
• Water Purifier Distribution Model Consultant o This is an ADP project designing a new distribution model for a low-cost water purifier product, Pureit, that is sold to urban and rural poor. The Project Manager will be the lead in a two person (1 manager, 1 consultant) ADP team based at HUL in India. Responsibilities include supporting the PM in:Evaluation of current initiatives; Design & development of a viable, low-cost and scalable distribution model for Pureit water purifiers; Identification of potential partners & creation of partnership strategy; Development of framework for scaling up distribution model

People have long seen the developing sector as something that doctors, nurses and teachers address, they have never seen it as a business issue – business is going to have to engage not through its charity but through its core business. The sector is crying out for business and technology expertise. Employees who are selected must have a genuine commitment to the founding principles of Accenture Development Partnerships and demonstrate the required motivations and ability to participate in the environments in which Accenture Development Partnerships works. Together, we will make this world a better place for all!

References American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. "International Development - Accenture." Global Management Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing Services from Accenture. 12 Dec. 2011.
Hippies, Dirty. "The Sole Superpower in Decline: The Rise of a Multipolar World | Common Dreams." Home | Common Dreams. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
Zadek, Simon. "A Working Paper of The:Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative." Http://siteresources.worldbank.org/PUBLICSECTORANDGOVERNANCE/Resources/LogicCollaborativeGovernance.pdf. Mar. 2006.
Zadek, Simon. "Tomorrow’s History: Selected Writings." Greenleaf Publishing, 2004.
"Deepening Democracy at the Global Level." Docstoc – Documents, Templates, Forms, Ebooks, Papers & Presentations. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
Bullog, Gib. "Development Collaboration: None of Our Business?" 1 Oct. 2010
Vagas, Nevin. Telephone interview. 29 Nov. 2011.
Accenture Development Partnerships. Web. Dec. 2011.