What do social impact consultants do?

My colleagues at Sattva Consulting and I work at the intersection of two spaces (social development sector and management consulting) both of which are often intangible to explain to non-sector folks! At the end of the day, we interact with communities and make PPTs. Why do we need the smartest and kindest to take up this work? What's the need for double masters, MBAs, academicians, private sector leaders and societal thought leaders to work in this space?

In the social development sector, there are largely three kinds of individuals and institutions of which I believe the third archetype fits the definition of what an impact consultant does!

1.Explorers: They are the economists, social scientists working in academia, and think tanks to explore the possibilities of a better living for us all. Their primary role is to find out newer, more effective and efficient ways of leading life in civilized groups (in terms of access, equity and quality).

Explorers are always excited about proving the efficacy of unheard and untested ideas for human prosperity. They identify problem statements and spend years trying to find an answer to those.

2. Miners: They are at the implementation end of things in governments, NGOs, and project/product-based private sector organisations. They always look at the practical solutions that can solve a real problem for the communities. They are bound by the constraints of the real-world, responsive nature of communities to the proposed solutions.

Miners are always concerned with the utility of ideas to a particular problem (or set of problems) for the community. Their primary concern is to keep their ear close to the ground (understand community needs, problems and aspirations intimately).

3. Bridge makers: They are the consultants and similar other professionals who offer need-based services (across strategy, research, social audit, impact measurement, tech support, program management, fund advisory) to the explorers and miners. They are expected to understand 'explorer' and 'miner' context completely to provide something 'extra' as value add.

Bridge makers are expected to tune their efforts to the mandates that others want to achieve and bring in a 'collaboration' mindset to ensure that novel solutions (or newer combinations of old solutions) are perfectly addressing community needs.

If my fellow bridge makers have other articulations to describe what social impact consultants do then I'd be happy to hear!

P.S: Framework inspiration: The Flux Review