Independent Expert Group for the ARISE Program (CIF): Global Call for Climate Finance and Resilience Experts

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF), established in 2008, is one of the world’s leading multilateral climate finance initiatives supporting developing countries in their transition toward low-emission, climate-resilient development. Through its collaboration with multilateral development banks (MDBs) and partner governments, CIF has pioneered large-scale concessional financing aimed at driving systemic change in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, water, and social resilience systems.

Building on 17 years of implementation experience under the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), CIF has launched a transformative initiative known as the Accelerating Resilience Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Economies (ARISE) program. ARISE is designed to help developing countries convert national resilience priorities into structured, investable, and scalable climate solutions.

To support the technical integrity, fairness, and strategic direction of this program, CIF is now recruiting an Independent Expert Group (IEG) composed of globally recognized professionals in climate change, finance, and development economics.

A critical milestone in this initiative is the submission of Expressions of Interest (EoIs) by participating countries, with a deadline set for June 8th, 2026.

About the ARISE Program

The ARISE program is a forward-looking climate resilience financing framework that focuses on turning climate adaptation needs into actionable investment pipelines.

It prioritizes critical systems that are most vulnerable to climate risks, including:

1. Food systems and agricultural resilience
2. Water security and resource management
3. Climate-resilient infrastructure development
4. Sustainable and low-carbon energy systems

The program seeks to ensure that climate finance is not only accessible but also strategically deployed to generate long-term resilience outcomes and unlock private sector participation.

Role of the Independent Expert Group (IEG)

The Independent Expert Group (IEG) will consist of six internationally selected experts with deep technical and strategic experience in climate adaptation, development finance, and economic systems transformation.

The group will include balanced representation from both contributing and recipient countries, ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and technical rigor in decision-making. From among the six members, two co-chairs will be appointed.

Key Responsibilities

The Independent Expert Group will undertake the following core functions:

1. Evaluation of Country Submissions

• Review Expressions of Interest (EoIs) submitted by eligible countries
• Assess proposals against established CIF and ARISE evaluation criteria
• Ensure alignment with resilience investment priorities

2. Technical Research and Review

• Analyze annexed project and policy documents
• Conduct supplementary desk research using the Integrated Results Framework (IRF)
• Validate technical feasibility and investment readiness

3. Stakeholder Consultation

• Conduct structured interviews with country representatives
• Engage with multilateral development banks (MDBs)
• Confirm compliance with MDB partnership standards and coordination frameworks

4. Reporting and Recommendations

• Produce a ranked list of countries based on evaluation outcomes
• Submit formal recommendations to the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee (TFC)
• Provide methodological notes detailing evaluation approaches
• Document limitations, challenges, and gaps identified during assessment
• Include a full list of consulted stakeholders for transparency and accountability

Selection Criteria for Applicants

Applicants interested in serving on the Independent Expert Group must meet the following requirements:

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD in fields relevant to climate change, development economics, environmental science, finance, or related disciplines

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience
• Proven work in climate resilience, development finance, or related sectors
• Experience in developing country contexts is highly preferred

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with multilateral institutions, international organizations, or global development agencies is an advantage but not mandatory

Timeline and Availability

Selected experts must be available for engagement between June and October 2026.

• Primary workload duration: approximately 6 to 8 weeks
• Work will include review cycles, consultations, and report drafting phases
• Flexibility and responsiveness during peak evaluation periods will be essential

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants are required to submit their applications directly via email:

CIF Secretariat Email: CIFSecretariat@cif.org

Application Requirements:

• Full name and contact information
• Detailed area of expertise
• Updated curriculum vitae (CV/resume)
• Disclosure of any conflicts of interest (including current or past employment with CIF partner MDBs or related institutions)

Important Deadline:

• Application submission deadline: May 21st, 2026
• Submissions through any channel other than the official email will not be considered

Compensation

Selected experts will be remunerated in accordance with World Bank consultant procurement rules and regulations, ensuring standardized and competitive international compensation structures for technical experts.

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

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