WWF Blue Heart of Africa Seeks Expert Consultancy to Develop Africa Water Resilience Fund (AWRF) Architecture & Governance – Apply by June 5, 2026 @Apply by June 5, 2026

WWF Blue Heart of Africa Job Summary

Job Title: Consultancy Team for Africa Water Resilience Fund (AWRF) Architecture, Governance, and Capitalization
Location: Remote / Africa-based preferred
Closing Date: 5th June 2026
Contract: Phase 1 consultancy (Design & Alignment)

Job Summary

WWF Blue Heart of Africa Initiative is seeking a consultancy team to help define the architecture, governance, and capitalization of the Africa Water Resilience Fund (AWRF), a flagship platform to mobilize blended finance for water security, climate adaptation, and ecosystem restoration across Africa.

Key Expertise Required

• Blended finance and climate adaptation finance
• Fund architecture, governance, and institutional design
• Water resources management and basin-scale resilience in Africa
• Outcome-based finance and MRV systems
• Engaging multilateral development banks and corporate investors

Assignment Highlights

• Shape a pan-African fund targeting USD 2 billion by 2028
• Design institutional and operational frameworks, governance, and financial structuring

• Align with continental bodies (AUC, AMCOW, AfDB) and private sector partners
• Develop innovative Adaptation Benefits Mechanisms (ABM) and measurable KPIs
• Lead stakeholder consultations and strategic positioning

Requirements for Submission

• Technical approach & methodology
• Stakeholder engagement plan
• Relevant experience summary
• CVs of key team members
• Itemized budget

Timeline

Phase 1 (Design & Alignment) begins June 2026, with deliverables due before the UN Water Conference in the UAE.

Application Deadline

Proposals must be submitted by COB, 5th June 2026.

About the Africa Water Resilience Fund (AWRF)

The AWRF is conceived as a continental platform to address Africa’s water insecurity and climate resilience challenges through a coordinated, basin-scale, finance-driven approach.

It aims to mobilize large-scale blended finance, catalyze systemic transformation in water stewardship, and deliver measurable outcomes for water security, ecosystem integrity, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

The Fund will incorporate innovative financing instruments, including Adaptation Benefits Mechanisms (ABM), aligned with continental frameworks such as Africa Water Vision 2063.

Scope of Work Overview

The consultancy will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, including:

• Strategic analysis of water and climate finance instruments
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation
• Institutional architecture and governance design
• Financial structuring and capitalization strategy

• Programmatic, operational, and pipeline development
• Designing ABM and MRV frameworks
• Policy alignment and strategic positioning
• Implementation roadmap and operational plan

Expected Deliverables

• Inception report with methodology and stakeholder plan
• Institutional architecture and governance paper
• Capitalization and investor entry framework

• ABM architecture note
• Operational roadmap
• Final synthesis report and executive presentation

Governance and Collaboration

The consultancy will be coordinated by WWF Blue Heart of Africa, in collaboration with:

• Continental institutions (AUC, AMCOW, AfDB)
• Private sector partners (The Coca-Cola Company, AB InBev)
• Technical NGOs and civil society partners

Application and Selection Process

Proposals should be in English, not exceeding 20 pages, including: approach, methodology, stakeholder plan, key deliverables, CVs, relevant experience, and budget.

Evaluation criteria include technical approach (40%), experience (30%), value for money (20%), and team availability (10%).

Contact

Eric Oyare
Email: eoyare@wwfint.org

For full Terms of Reference and application details

This opportunity offers a unique chance to contribute to Africa’s water resilience and climate adaptation strategies through innovative financing and institutional design.