Our Impact Journey

Instiglio is an international non-profit organization with offices in Kenya, Morocco, Colombia, Peru, Mauritius, and the United States that empowers organizations to improve the impact of social programs in low- and middle-income countries by designing and implementing Results-Based Financing (RBF), innovative finance, and Performance Management systems. Since 2012, Instiglio has worked with social and public leaders in over 70 organizations (at varying levels of expansion and growth) and in over 30 countries across Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia.

Instiglio has designed and implemented over 60 projects to improve outcomes across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water and sanitation, socio-economic growth, workforce development, education, women's and girls’ economic empowerment, global health, governance, and institutional strengthening. Organizations we work with include bilateral donors (e.g., USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, FCDO), multilateral organizations (e.g., World Bank, United Nations bodies, such as UNHCR and UNICEF), foundations (e.g., Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, IKEA Foundation), government agencies and ministries (e.g., governments of Kenya, Colombia, Peru, Egypt, Morocco), high-impact service providers (e.g., Living Goods, Village Enterprise, Educate Girls), and research organizations (e.g., Center for Global Development, Harvard University, Ecorys, Brookings). 

Description of the project

With support from funding partners, Instiglio’s Kenya office has been working to support relevant Government of Uganda (GoU) stakeholders in adopting innovative finance opportunities to promote effective and sustainably financed safe water services in rural areas since January 2024. As part of this support, Instiglio identified core barriers within the rural safe water sub-sector and developed the preliminary concept of the Delivery Accelerator (DA). The DA is a financial vehicle with tailored results-based methods that aims to i) bridge the finance gap in the sub-sector through innovative financing, ii) support the operationalization and effectiveness of Uganda’s Operations and Maintenance Framework for rural safe water, and iii) deliver more accountable results in the sub-sector.

In the next project phase, Instiglio will design the early working model of the DA, further co-developing it with the Government of Uganda (GoU). Instiglio will lead technical design components of the Delivery Accelerator with a keen understanding of both the legal and financial requirements of the GoU and potential funders. We will define and construct key structural parameters of the DA, such as its legal framework, scope, and performance elements necessary for success. Instiglio, with support from the Consultant, will develop a prototype based on feedback and collaborative co-design efforts with the Ministry of Water and Environment and other key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. The design will be further informed by relevant legal and financial regulations, as well as by case studies and lessons learned from district-level piloting of performance-based contracts. Insights from other financial vehicles and experiences in East Africa, particularly in the rural safe water sector, will be incorporated to ensure the design is tailored to the local context and addresses operational challenges. This will require extensive engagement with stakeholders both nationally and sub-nationally.

Scope of work

The Consultant will play a crucial role in facilitating the modelling of the financial vehicle. Primary responsibilities include, for example, creating financial scenarios and projections to shape the DA’s design, as well as identifying and assessing relevant financial and fiduciary risks. The Consultant will help define components of the financial model, such as projected revenue, expenses, cash flow, and growth potential, and will conduct sensitivity analyses. The Consultant should be knowledgeable of various funding strategies, risks, and financial assumptions to inform the model’s performance and sustainability. The Consultant will also collaborate with the Ministry of Water and Environment and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the model aligns to identified requirements of donors (e.g., legal, financial).

Details on the scope of work are outlined below.

Component 

Description/Objective

Outputs

Conduct an assessment of the DA’s financial modelling needs 

 

• Review relevant background documents, including the DA’s design, summary report, and financial data.
• Consult with the project team to understand the DA’s core components and objectives, including funding needs, disbursement mechanisms, and performance-based financing principles.

 

• Brief on the DA’s identified financial modelling gap, and recommendations on how to address the identified gap.
• Brief of addressable or un-addressable limitations based on the DA’s design and the government of Uganda’s financing regulatory framework.

 

Develop a Baseline Financial Model

• Develop a baseline financial model to outline capital requirements, projected cash flows, and disbursement plans over a ~15-year period.

• Baseline financial model that provides a clear projection of funding needs and potential returns.
• Records of all funder meetings and key follow-up actions; pipeline of potential funders with notes on funding interest, requirements, and next steps.

Refine model based on sensitivity analyses and risk assessment

 

• Lay out different financial scenarios that reflect different levels of potential funding (e.g., low, medium, high), timelines, and outcomes.
• Perform sensitivity analyses to identify key factors that could impact financial viability of the DA, such as changes in funding sources, variations in infrastructure costs, or shifts in district performance levels.
• Evaluate the financial implications of phased implementation versus full-scale deployment.
• Identify and assess financial and fiduciary risks associated with the DA, including potential funding gaps, operational risks, and external factors (e.g., economic conditions, regulatory changes).
• Propose risk mitigation strategies to address identified risks, such as structuring blended finance solutions or establishing contingency funds.

 

• Scenario-based financial models demonstrating different potential outcomes and associated risks.
• Sensitivity analysis brief identifying key financial drivers and risk factors.
• Risk assessment report detailing key risks and proposed mitigation strategies.

 

Align the Financial Model with Stakeholder Requirements

 

• Engage (supported and accompanied by Instiglio) government stakeholders and funders to validate assumptions, requirements, and priorities.
• Refine the financial model based on stakeholder feedback to align expectations for performance-based financing, flexibility, and transparency.
• Prepare and present a proposed financial model tailored for presentation to government stakeholders and funders.

• Final financial model with accompanying documentation ready for presentation to government stakeholders and funders.
• Draft proposals and concept notes (1-2) to attract the commitment of identified funders.

Provide Training and Handover Materials

 

• Conduct training session(s) with project team to explain the structure and functionality of the financial model.
• Develop user-friendly documentation, including a financial model guide and key assumptions sheet.
• Ensure a smooth handover of the financial model, with clear instructions on how to launch, update, and maintain it.

 

• Training session(s) delivered to the project team.
• Financial model guide and handover documentation.
• Final version of the financial model, along with all related files and notes.

 

The work will involve frequent engagement and check-ins with the Instiglio team involved in the Uganda Safe Water project who will act as the overall ‘client’ and will coordinate the Consultant’s inputs. The assignment can be conducted remotely via online calls, text and email inputs. Once the assignment begins, the ToR will likely be refined based on emerging information and decisions made by key stakeholders. Instiglio, led by the Consultant’s manager, will continually highlight priority areas and updates on ToR adaptation. Any expectations regarding the Consultant’s time will be based on tasks achievable within the maximum number of days highlighted. The Consultant will be required to update Instiglio on utilization of days and tasks achieved every month.

Timeline

Instiglio seeks a Consultant from February 1, 2024. The consultancy period is estimated to take five to seven months, with the opportunity to continue engagement based on project need and subject to the approval of project funding. The Consultant’s tasks are estimated to require about 30 days in total. It is expected that the Consultant’s effort will vary based on identified priorities. In line with this, the distribution of the Consultant’s effort will be determined by need. There will be an assessment of progress, needs, and responsibilities monthly to ensure continued alignment between Instiglio and the consultant. The Consultant may need to demonstrate flexibility on the days of the week that they are available, and this will be further discussed during check-ins with the Instiglio team.

Who you are 

As a Consultant for this role, you are expected to bring a unique combination of fundraising expertise, knowledge of the safe water and climate finance sectors, knowledge and experience within Uganda and the East African region, and a strong network within the philanthropic and development funding landscape. The successful candidate will have: 

• Strong Financial Modeling Expertise: Proven experience in developing complex financial models, with a focus on projects related to infrastructure, impact investments, or development finance. The ability to create robust financial projections, conduct scenario analyses, and assess risks is essential.
• Experience with Blended Finance and Results-Based Financing: Familiarity with structuring blended finance solutions that involve public, private, and philanthropic funding sources. Understanding of results-based financing mechanisms and performance-based funding approaches in development projects.
• Understanding of Development Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Demonstrated knowledge of development finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on sectors such as water, infrastructure, or public health. Familiarity with the financial challenges and funding landscape in the region is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Public Sector Financial Management: An understanding of government budgeting processes, financial transfers, and public sector financial management, especially in the context of developing countries, ideally Uganda and/or East Africa. Familiarity with the design of financial vehicles that align with government priorities and systems is a plus.
• Strong Analytical and Strategic Thinking Skills: Ability to analyze complex financial data, assess risks, and develop recommendations. Experience in aligning financial models with strategic objectives to maximize impact and ensure sustainability.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Ability to present complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, funders, and project partners. Skilled in developing visual aids, such as charts and graphs, to facilitate understanding of financial scenarios.
• Collaborative and Adaptable: Comfortable working with multidisciplinary teams and adapting to evolving project needs. Ability to get feedback from stakeholders and refine financial models to meet different requirements. Ability to thrive in environments with low data and/or frequent changes in direction as new concepts get up and running.
• At Least 7 Years’ Experience in Financial Modeling or Advisory for Development Projects: Significant experience working on development finance, social investment, or infrastructure projects, ideally in the water, sanitation, or public service delivery sectors.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications on Instiglio’s portal including a CV and a cover letter. Instiglio will consider applications on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.