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 since January 2024 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. In response to core barriers identified within the rural safe water sector in Uganda, Instiglio has proposed the Delivery Accelerator (DA), a financial vehicle with tailored results-based methods. The DA aims to i) bridge the finance gap in the rural safe water sub-sector through innovative financing, ii) support the operationalization and effectiveness of the O&M Framework, and iii) deliver more accountable results in the rural safe water sub-sector.

For the next phase of the project, Instiglio will design the early working model of the DA, through the following key activities:

1. Conduct financial mapping of potential funders and funding sources to quantify available funding for the Delivery Accelerator, while ensuring funding sources align with the objectives of the DA and the GoU. This involves engaging potential funders to explore this funding opportunity, assess their interest and appetite for collaboration, and understand their capacity, funding cycles, and availability to participate in the DA. We will assess how well funders’ interests and needs align with the DA’s partnership potential.
2. Developing and socializing a roadmap for achieving sustainable financial solutions. The financial strategy will be based on learnings from identified potential resources together with mapping of both current and future resources available from the GoU. We will conduct a detailed analysis of how resources align with the scope of the DA and conduct analyses, including, for example, costs associated with the service delivery model, assessment of required versus available subsidies needed to ensure long-term financial viability, and financial risks and mitigation strategies for the DA. This holistic approach will be based on a Ugandan political economy and will require document review, on-the-ground stakeholder engagement, data collection, and analysis to have a right-fit strategy for how the DA can be financially sustained for years to come. 
3. Construct a preliminary design of the financial vehicle. Instiglio will lead technical design components of the Delivery Accelerator with a keen understanding of both the legal and financial protocols 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. A prototype will be created based on feedback and collaborative co-design efforts with the GoU and other key Ministry of Water and Environment 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 (see #5 below). 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 developing a fundraising strategy for the Delivery Accelerator and engaging and mapping potential funders with a goal to bring multi-lateral, bilateral, climate and/or other philanthropic funders in the safe water space to the Delivery Accelerator. The Consultant will act as a thought partner to Instiglio, contributing to our strategy on how best to design, build, and implement the Delivery Accelerator that will best meet the needs and objectives of potential funders. Specifics of the proposed scope of work are outlined below.

Component 

Description/Objective

Outputs

Develop an Engagement and Fundraising Strategy for the DA 

 

• Assess the funding landscape for Uganda rural safe water financing and identify high-potential funders aligned with the DA’s objectives.
• Develop a tailored strategy to engage each funding category (multi-lateral, bilateral, climate, and philanthropic).

 

• Comprehensive engagement and fundraising strategy document, including funder profiles, targeted messaging, and engagement timelines.

 

Where relevant, Support and Participate in Engagements with Targeted Funders

• Initiate and sustain engagement with prospective funders, including conducting meetings, sharing relevant documentation, and presenting the DA’s potential impact.
• Engage stakeholders to build interest and build relationships that can lead to securing funding commitments.
• Understand funder needs, interests, appetites, planning cycles, etc. to prioritize engagements to target best potential partners.  

• Records of all funder meetings and key follow-up actions; pipeline of potential funders with notes on funding interest, requirements, and next steps.

Gauge Funder Interest and Shape the DA Model Based on Feedback

 

• Gather funder insights into the DA’s design, funding structure, and impact goals.
• Provide feedback to team to refine the DA model in alignment with funder requirements and expectations.

 

• Summary report of funder feedback and recommendations for refining the DA; revisions to the DA model based on stakeholder insights.

 

Develop and Manage Proposals

• Help Instiglio conduct research to identify potential funding opportunities from foundations, bilaterals, and multilaterals, particularly those aligned with safe water initiative (SDG 6).
• Craft compelling, targeted grant proposals and concept notes that align the DA with donor priorities, ensuring the achievement of specific fundraising targets.

• Draft proposals and concept notes (1-2) to attract the commitment of identified funders.

Participate in Fundraising Events 

• Identify and attend high-level networking (online) events, conferences, and forums relevant to the DA’s model mission, developing strategies for maximizing networking outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop and implement event marketing strategies, including digital campaigns and social media outreach to generate funder interest in the DA.

• A detailed workplan of strategic events to attend (2-3).
• Records of attendance at relevant events, along with strategies developed for maximizing networking opportunities.

Regular check-ins with Instiglio (approx. bi-weekly)

• Update Instiglio on progress.
• Recommend to Instiglio how to proceed based on experience, expertise, and stakeholders’ feedback.
• Promote and ensure ongoing alignment.

• Average of bi-weekly, 1 hour meeting during contracted engagement, with the exact schedule to be agreed by both parties.
• Provide short, monthly progress reports on the progress of all fundraising activities, including summary of funds applied for, donor engagement metrics, and any challenges or opportunities identified.

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 25 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: 

• Proven Experience in Fundraising for Development Projects: Demonstrated track record of successfully raising funds from multi-lateral, bilateral, and philanthropic sources for social impact projects. Familiarity with climate finance and water sector funding is strongly preferred.
• Strategic Engagement Skills: Ability to develop and execute comprehensive engagement strategies to initiate, sustain, and grow relationships with diverse funders to achieve identified outcomes. This includes providing step-by-step guidance on executing the strategy. Skilled in building rapport and gaining funder buy-in for ambitious development initiatives. This includes assessing funder preferences and interests and providing strategic guidance on the way forward.
• Extensive Network in Development and Philanthropic Funding: Well-established connections with key stakeholders in the development finance, climate, and safe water sectors. Access to decision-makers within multi-lateral, bilateral, and philanthropic organizations is a major asset.
• Sector Knowledge in Water, Climate, and/or Development Finance: Strong understanding of the funding landscape and priorities in the rural safe water and climate finance sectors, with the ability to leverage this knowledge to align the DA’s goals with funder expectations. Specific experience in Uganda and the larger East African region is preferred.
• Exceptional Communication and Presentation Skills: Skilled in articulating complex project goals and social impact potential to diverse audiences. Capable of adapting messages to resonate with different funding categories and of developing compelling materials to support engagements.
• Collaborative and Insightful Thought Partner: Ability to work effectively with the project team, provide constructive input, and adapt to evolving project needs. Experienced in advising and guiding teams to position large-scale funding initiatives successfully.
• At Least 7 Years’ Experience in Fundraising or Development Finance: Significant experience in fundraising for large-scale development projects, ideally within the water, sanitation, or climate sectors and ideally within Uganda and the larger East African region.

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.