Consultant - Business Model- Water ATM

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to develop a financially, operationally, socially and institutionally sustainable business model for newly established Water Kiosks with ATM technology in Karachi, ensuring that the model is affordable and accessible to users while enabling reliable operation, maintenance and long-term service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

The consultant will:

• Develop an appropriate and context-specific business and revenue model for sustainable Water Kiosk operations in Karachi considering for community-led model, based on 10 year and 20 year periods and explore the feasibility of models other than community-owned and operated (public-private, public, private, etc).
• Document and assess capital and recurrent costs of five Water Kiosks in Karachi, installed by UNICEF in 2023and upgraded in 2026 to include the water ATM technology. Additional data may be sourced from the other sites where UNICEF installed Water Kiosks between 2023-2026.
• Assess the costs associated with consultation, design, installation, operations, and maintenance – including water treatment, energy, staffing, repairs, monitoring and other recurrent expenses.
• Assess demand, user preferences, willingness and ability to pay, and barriers to access.
• Identify minimum operational and sales levels required for financial sustainability.
• Assess institutional, operational and community-management requirements.
• Develop practical financial and management tools for Water ATM management committees.
• Define key financial and operational indicators.
• Define and design requirements for integration of financial management functions into the digital platform.
• Strengthen monitoring of financial inflows and outflows.
• Consult community, public, private and development partner stakeholders to understand other similar models or models to learn from.
• Generate evidence-based recommendations for potential replication and scale-up.
• Provide recommendations for relevance of suggested Karachi model to rural areas of Sindh.

Required Qualification

• Qualification: An advanced university degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Social Enterprise Development, Development Studies, or related disciplines.
• Additional Advantage: Candidates with a strong background in financial and business modelling, infrastructure finance, social enterprise development, or related fields will be preferred.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in financial/business modelling, infrastructure finance, social enterprise or related areas. Experience with utilities and/or water services is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing sustainable business models and business plans. Experience in developing business models for infrastructure or community-based service delivery is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in CAPEX/OPEX analysis, cost-recovery analysis, and financial sustainability assessment. Experience with tariff modelling is highly desirable.
• Experience in the water sector is an advantage.
• Experience in developing financial management tools, MIS or digital management systems is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, quantitative and report-writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience conducting stakeholder consultations and translating findings into practical recommendations.
• Strong computer skills, including advanced use of Excel or equivalent financial modelling software.
• Experience working with UN agencies, government, international organizations or development partners is desirable.

 Location

• Karachi, Sindh

 Contract Type:

•  Deliverable

 Travel Requirement

• The consultant will be required to conduct field visits to pilot Water ATM sites and other locations across Sindh, as needed, while also undertaking remote work for data analysis, financial modelling, report preparation, and coordination with UNICEF and implementing partners. 

Note

• Female professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.

• MicroMerger is an equal-opportunity and female-friendly employer. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Selection will be based on merit, qualifications, experience, and job requirements, without discrimination.
• Only eligible and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for tests or interviews.
• Incomplete, inaccurate, or late applications may not be considered.
• Any attempt to influence the recruitment process, including bribery, favoritism, pressure, or personal references, will result in immediate disqualification.
• MicroMerger has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, corruption, fraud, discrimination, and workplace misconduct.
• Positions may be offered on a contract basis and extended according to performance, project needs, and funding availability.
• MicroMerger reserves the right to change the number of positions, close the vacancy early, reject applications, or cancel the recruitment process at any stage.
• By applying, candidates consent to the use of their application information in MicroMerger’s internal recruitment and applicant tracking system.