Consultancy for WASH Finance and Financing Strategies Consultant to assess the feasibility of setting-up a national WASH Revolving Fund – Nationals only (6 months)

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Objective:

Objective of this task is to recommend actions to ensure sustainability of the revolving fund, both institutionally and financially, and to open opportunities for possible national scale-up and expansions to peri‐urban areas and slum areas, in order to support both women and children in both rural areas and peri‐urban area and support Egypt towards achieving 100 percent water access by the population by 2030.

In this respect, four key parameters should be considered

A. Efficient management of the Revolving Fund through establishing a proper system based on:

• An integrated approach that would ensure inter‐ministerial and inter‐sectorial coordination at both national level and local level and institutionalization of the RF within the water companies
• Propose any effective committees which aiming at maximizing the benefit of the system including selection of relevant beneficiaries, and collection of fees in due time.

B. Existence of the financial system which would ensure cost coverage, in that beneficiaries’ payments cover the cost and that in case a subsidy is required to address the poorest households, a sustainable funding mechanism is in place to cover the gap.

C. Expand the system to additional Governorates and to include peri‐urban and slum areas, therefore scaling up to national coverage.

D. Assess the potential  to include wastewater in the RF, in both rural areas and peri‐urban areas.

 

Scope, Methodology and Technical Approach:

The work will be implemented in collaboration with the Government of Egypt at the central level (Cairo), with in-depth case studies conducted in two selected governorates. The selection of these governorates will be finalized in consultation with UNICEF and relevant government counterparts, taking into consideration geographic diversity, vulnerability, and relevance for piloting or scaling a WASH Revolving Fund.

This assignment will cover the following areas:

 

3.1 Assessment of institutional, legal and structural factors for WASH financing and the Revolving Fund

• Executive and legislative WASH functions in financing and Revolving Fund mechanisms:

1. Identification of key stakeholders;
2. Analysis of roles and responsibilities in relation to priority setting, budget norms, resource mobilization, allocation, and management of revolving funds and micro-credit initiatives ;
3. Review of key laws, policies, strategies, and plans governing WASH financing and potential establishment/operation of revolving funds in Egypt.

Institutional arrangements and service delivery models, including private sector participation, with relevance to Revolving Fund applicability.

 

3.2 Assessment of funding, financing landscape, and feasibility of a WASH Revolving Fund

• Assessment of the overall WASH sector financing flows:
• Capital expenditures;
• Recurrent revenues and expenditures;
• Foreseen sustainability challenges, particularly financing of Operation and Maintenance (O&M), and implications for a revolving fund model.
• Public funding and financial systems:
• Mapping of potential financing sources, including climate finance and blended finance opportunities that could capitalize a revolving fund.
• Household and private sector contributions:

• Review of policies (including pro-poor considerations), affordability, and cost-sharing mechanisms;
• Analysis of willingness and ability to pay, especially among vulnerable populations;
• Assessment of private sector/local NGO/charity/community engagement, including financial institutions, microfinance, SMEs, and service providers relevant to a revolving fund mechanism.

• Specific assessment of Revolving Fund feasibility:

• Existing or similar financing mechanisms in Egypt (e.g., social funds, microfinance schemes);
• Institutional hosting options for the fund;
• Governance, fiduciary, and operational requirements;
• Potential pipeline of investments and repayment mechanisms;
• Risk analysis and mitigation measures.

 

3.3 Assessment of the existing RF to draw lessons for institutionalization and scaling-up

• Assess the performance and effectiveness of the current Revolving Fund, including whether expected results were achieved as planned (number of connections, timeliness, typology of beneficiaries, etc.)
• Undertake a detailed in-depth financial analysis of the model with particular focus on reimbursement rates, capital erosion rates, fund revolution, etc.
• Review stakeholder roles and coordination mechanisms
• Identify key success factors/enablers and bottlenecks/constraints, possible unintended impacts
• Identify lessons learned and risks to be taken into account for scaling up the model

3.4 Recommendations for WASH financing solutions and establishment of a Revolving Fund (10-year horizon)

• Provide strategic and operational recommendations for strengthening WASH financing in Egypt;
• Assess the needs that the RF would address (in terms of number of households to be connected disaggregated by geographical areas) and estimate the cost to reach the 100% coverage through this funding mechanism and the administrative costs of setting-up and operating the Fund
• Develop a detailed concept and implementation framework for a WASH Revolving Fund, including:
• Institutional setup and governance;
• Financial structuring and capitalization options;
• Eligibility criteria and targeting (including pro-poor mechanisms);
• Disbursement, repayment, and sustainability mechanisms;
• Monitoring, accountability, and performance indicators;
• Outline a roadmap for piloting and scaling the revolving fund to support Egypt’s progress toward SDG 6 targets.

Methodology

The task will employ a mixed-methods approach combining literature review, quantitative and qualitative tools.

• Desk Review:
  Comprehensive review of national policies, strategies, legal frameworks, financing instruments, and previous studies related to WASH and public financing in Egypt.
• Data Collection:
  • Key informant interviews (KIIs);
  • Focus group discussions (FGDs);
  • In-depth interviews with stakeholders.
• Secondary data analysis from government, Water Utilities and partner sources;
• Primary data collection through:
• Key national stakeholders to be consulted include:
• Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities (MHUUC) and affiliated agencies;
• Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) and its subsidiaries;
• Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI);
• Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP);
• Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE);
• Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MPED);
• Ministry of Finance (MoF);
• Ministry of Local Development (MoLD);
• Relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., Egypt Water Regulatory Agency – EWRA);
• NGOs, research institutions, and think tanks active in WASH and financing.
• Sub-national case studies:
  In-depth analysis in two selected governorates, including data collection from:
• Governorate-level authorities;
• Water and sanitation service providers;
• Local financial institutions;
• Sectoral directorates (health, education, housing, planning, finance).

This analysis will include in-depth assessment of the functioning of the existing RF in these 2 governorates, including analysis of financial data from the Water utilities, reimbursement rates, etc.  

• Development partners and private sector consultations:
  Engagement with key partners such as development banks, bilateral agencies, and private sector actors to assess investment plans and potential contributions to a revolving fund over the next 10 years.

ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES:

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

-Equivalent of university degree in finance, economy or relevant fields.

-Demonstrated experience (at least 8–10 years) in conducting sectoral assessments, public finance analysis, or economic studies in the WASH sector or closely related sectors (e.g., infrastructure, climate finance, public utilities).

-Proven track record in designing or assessing innovative financing mechanisms, including revolving funds, blended finance, or microfinance schemes, preferably in developing or middle-income country contexts.

-Experience working in Egypt or the MENA region is highly desirable, with strong understanding of public sector systems and institutional frameworks.

-Proven ability to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder assignments involving government, development partners, and private sector actors.

-Excellent analytical, report writing, and presentation skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable Male and Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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