Consultant - Resource Mobilization and IFI Engagement Specialist

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is an international non-profit, research-for-development organization that works with governments, civil society, and private sector organizations to address water-related challenges in developing countries and scale up solutions. IWMI is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and is a CGIAR research center with offices in 15 countries and a global network of researchers operating in approximately 56 countries.

IWMI oversees a portfolio of development projects, including Al Murunah, Al Murunah+, Jahez, and Wiqaya, which collectively form the PHENOMENAL program, along with linked CGIAR Science Programme Initiatives such as RENEW. This program focuses on strengthening climate resilience, social protection, livelihoods, and adaptive capacity in fragile and conflict-affected settings. To accelerate and scale impact, IWMI is seeking to mobilize substantial additional financing from a diverse range of international funding sources.

These sources include, but are not limited to, bilateral donors, philanthropies, multilateral development banks (MDBs), climate funds, and specialized financing windows. Securing this financing requires expert navigation of complex institutional processes, development of compelling investment narratives, and sustained stakeholder engagement across multiple funding ecosystems.

Against this backdrop, IWMI is recruiting a highly specialized consultant who is at the forefront of the evolving financial landscape for local climate solutions. We are seeking an individual who can partner with IWMI to navigate the transition from traditional funding sources and strengthen our approaches, skills, and procedures to engage with new financing mechanisms and international financial institutions (IFIs). This will enable IWMI to leverage its capacity to enhance the effectiveness of and de-risk water and climate investments.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

• Develop and operationalize a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy aligned with the priorities and programming cycles of key IFIs and climate funds. From a list of priority/potential funders, analyze funding mechanisms and procedures. (LOE: 10%)
• Build a robust, multi-year investment pipeline that packages project interventions attractively for diverse financiers. Develop funding scenarios over a five-year horizon outlining likely financing mechanisms and funding opportunities available for local, regional, and international water and climate solutions. (LOE: 30%)
• Strengthen organizational capacity to engage proactively and strategically with institutional donors, MDBs, and climate finance mechanisms. Review IWMI’s internal funding receipt mechanisms, procedures, and BDU processes against the requirements of potential funders. (LOE: 10%)
• Produce high-quality, funder-ready deliverables, including concept notes, full proposals, pitch decks, and investment briefs. (LOE: 40%)
• Leverage innovation and emerging financing instruments (e.g., blended finance, results-based finance, and green bonds) to maximize funding potential. Identify capacity, systems, and alignment gaps, and develop a pipeline document to support IWMI in transitioning its approaches, tools, and systems toward the evolving funding landscape. (LOE: 10%)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

3.1 Resource Mobilization Strategy & Investment Pipeline

• Produce a prioritized funding roadmap that identifies the highest-potential financing opportunities across the four projects, with clear recommendations on which funders to pursue, in what sequence, and why — based on an assessment of eligibility fit, funding cycles, and strategic alignment. Following the initial landscape and opportunity mapping, the Consultant will prioritize donors and opportunities based on inputs from the PHENOMENAL Team and IWMI’s Business Development Unit (BDU).
• Develop a multi-year Resource Mobilization Strategy covering, but not limited to, IsDB, GCF, GEF, OPEC Fund, Adaptation Fund, IFAD, IDA/World Bank, ADB, AfDB, EU, GCC, and bilateral donors.
• Build and maintain a live Investment Pipeline Dashboard tracking funding opportunities, proposal stages, decision timelines, and funding gaps across all four projects. This pipeline will feed into and align with the BDU pipeline and stage gates (Go/No-Go 1 and 2/FORT).
• Leverage existing networks and relationships within target IFIs, climate funds, and development banks to facilitate direct access to key decision-makers, including convening meetings and brokering introductions. The Consultant will support the PHENOMENAL Team by gathering intelligence and establishing connections while not representing IWMI directly.
• Identify and advise on portfolio bundling strategies to present Al Murunah, Al Murunah+, Jahez, and Wiqaya as a coherent and complementary funding portfolio.
  

3.2 Funder Process Navigation & Compliance Across IsDB, World Bank, AfDB, GCF, GEF, OPEC Fund, Adaptation Fund, and Regional/Bilateral DFIs

• Provide expert guidance on the end-to-end institutional processes of key IFIs, including project identification, concept review, appraisal, negotiation, and approval stages.
• Support the preparation of required institutional documentation, including Project Concept Notes, Project Appraisal Documents, Environmental and Social Frameworks, and Results Frameworks.
• Advise on compliance with IFI fiduciary standards, safeguard policies, gender mainstreaming requirements, and climate co-benefit accounting.
• Monitor policy updates, replenishment cycles, and strategic priorities across targeted institutions and proactively adapt the engagement strategy.
  

3.3 Proposal Development & Ad Hoc Support

• In close collaboration with IWMI’s Business Development Unit (BDU), the Consultant will:
• Lead the development of full proposals, concept notes, and expressions of interest for priority funding opportunities across the four projects.
• Provide rapid-turnaround ad hoc advisory support, including reviewing funder-specific requirements, preparing responses to requests for information, and supporting due diligence processes.
• Draft Letters of Intent, Endorsement Letters, and formal applications in line with funder templates and requirements.
• Coordinate with technical teams to integrate programmatic content, results evidence, and cost data into compelling funding narratives.
• Review and strengthen existing project documentation to enhance fundability and alignment with IFI standards.
  

3.4 Pitch Decks & Investor Communication Materials

• Develop professionally designed, funder-tailored pitch decks for each project and the consolidated portfolio.
• Produce concise investment briefs, one-pagers, and infographic-based project summaries for high-level stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare presentation materials for donor roundtables, pledging conferences, and bilateral meetings.
• Design messaging frameworks that articulate the theory of change, impact potential, innovation elements, and financial structuring of each project.
  

3.5 Innovation & Emerging Finance Instruments

• Identify and assess the applicability of innovative financing instruments, including blended finance facilities, development impact bonds, results-based financing, green/blue bonds, and diaspora bonds.
• Advise on opportunities for leveraging private sector co-financing and designing risk-sharing mechanisms to attract non-traditional funders.
• Develop a position paper on the application of climate finance innovations relevant to the project portfolio.
• Liaise with relevant MDB innovation teams, GCF private sector windows, and GEF blended finance facilities to explore viable options.
  

3.6 Capacity Strengthening

• Conduct targeted capacity-building sessions for relevant staff on IFI engagement, proposal writing, resource mobilization, and funder relationship management.
• Develop a Resource Mobilization Toolkit, including templates, process guides, funder profiles, and a proposal quality checklist.
• Mentor and coach internal staff involved in resource mobilization activities.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Inception Report - Landscape analysis, funder mapping, stakeholder interviews, and proposed work plan.
2. Resource Mobilization Strategy - Comprehensive multi-year strategy covering all four projects and target funders.
3. Investment Pipeline Dashboard - Live tracker of funding opportunities, proposal status, and decision timelines.
4. Funder Engagement Calendar - 12-month engagement plan with tailored outreach and relationship management plan.
5. Pitch Decks (x4 + consolidated) - Professional, funder-tailored decks for each project, plus a consolidated portfolio deck.
6. Concept Notes / Expressions of Interest (minimum 3) - Ready-to-submit concept notes for priority funding windows.
7. Full Proposals (minimum 2) - Complete grant applications for selected IFIs or climate funds.
8. Innovation Position Paper - Assessment of applicable innovative finance instruments for the portfolio.
9. Resource Mobilization Toolkit - Templates, funder profiles, quality checklists, and process guides.
10. Capacity-Building Sessions - At least three training/coaching sessions with relevant staff.
11. Investment Briefs & One-Pagers - Communication materials for each project for high-level stakeholder events.
12. Quarterly Progress Reports - Updates on pipeline status, engagements, and deliverable progress.
13. Final Report - Consolidated end-of-assignment report with lessons learned and recommendations.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Finance, Economics, International Development, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a closely related field. An MBA from a recognized institution will be considered a strong advantage.
• Supplementary certifications in climate finance, development banking, or project management will be considered an asset.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilization, development finance, or international fundraising for multilateral programs.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully mobilizing funding from two or more of the following: IsDB, GCF, GEF, OPEC Fund, Adaptation Fund, IDA, ADB, IFAD, EBRD, AfDB, private sector entities, EU, GCC, or bilateral donors.
• Proven experience in proposal development, from concept development through full submission and approval, for complex, multi-country programs.
• Experience working in or with fragile, conflict-affected, or post-crisis environments is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in developing blended finance structures, results-based financing mechanisms, or accessing private sector co-financing windows.
• Experience designing and delivering institutional capacity-building programs in resource mobilization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Expert knowledge of funder project cycles, fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards, and procurement frameworks across multiple institutions.
• Strong understanding of climate finance architecture, including the Paris Agreement’s Article 6, NDC financing, and adaptation finance mechanisms.
• Proficiency in logical framework design, theory of change development, and results-based management.
• Ability to produce high-quality, publishable written materials (proposals, strategy documents, and investment briefs) with minimal supervision.
• Strong data analysis and financial modelling skills to support investment case development.
• Proficiency in design and presentation tools (PowerPoint, Canva, Pitch, or equivalent) to produce professional pitch materials.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and networking skills across funder, government, and civil society ecosystems.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify, synthesize, and communicate complex investment opportunities concisely.
• Self-directed, results-oriented, and able to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and commitment to development effectiveness principles.

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited consultancy position, therefore individuals with relevant qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply. The contract duration is five (05) months.

HOW TO APPLY:
Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. Applications will be accepted until 24:00 IST on August 05, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Your application must include the following:

1. CV (max 5 pages) with details of education, professional experience, and key achievements.
2. Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining relevant experience, motivation, and proposed approach to the assignment.
3. Technical Proposal (max 5 pages) describing methodology, workplan, and understanding of the assignment.
4. Financial Proposal specifying daily/monthly consultancy rate and estimated total cost.
5. Two writing samples of comparable work (proposals, strategy documents, or pitch materials) submitted to any IFI or climate fund.
6. Contact details for three professional references with knowledge of the candidate's resource mobilization experience, who may be contacted if you are shortlisted.

Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multicolored, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary working environment. We are committed to building an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and prioritizes gender equity. We therefore strongly encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities.