Welcome to Social Development Direct


Social Development Direct is a leading international provider of social development consultancy and research services. SDDirect is based in London and was established in 1999 as a small network of leading independent consultants and researchers committed to working with government and non-governmental organisations to improve the quality and impact of development assistance. We are committed to the eradication of poverty, global inequality and injustice and work with development partners in the north and south to this end. SDDirect is now an international network of over 200 professionals with expertise in social development, gender, human rights, political science, conflict and peace building, and governance with an in-house team of 10 social development specialists.


Consultant profile >> Jessica  Jacobson

Jessica is a junior consultant with SDDirect, with particular interest in gender, complex emergencies, and violence against women and girls. She is currently a Researcher on two DFID-funded programmes in Nigeria, Voices for Change, and the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme.

Consultant profile >> Barry Smith

Barry Smith is a senior consultant with SDDirect with more than 30 years of multi-sector experience. His key areas of expertise include: civil society strengthening, citizen voice and empowerment; social accountability, governance and pro-poor policy development; partnerships and collaborative leadership; philanthropy and foundation building; dialogue and process facilitation; and programme design, strategy and evaluation.

Consultant profile >> Chris Cosgrove

Chris is a senior consultant at SDDirect with thirty years' experience as a social development specialist in developing countries and in the UK. He has considerable knowledge of aid instruments and DFID programmes with experience working with government ministries, humanitarian agencies, and civil society organizations in diverse areas including social protection, wealth creation, social inclusion, health, education, and participatory evaluation methods.