About this scholarship
<p data-start="133" data-end="630">The <strong data-start="137" data-end="171">Climate Investment Funds (CIF)</strong>, 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 <strong data-start="400" data-end="441">multilateral development banks (MDBs)</strong> and partner governments, CIF has pioneered large-scale concessional financing aimed at driving systemic change in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, water, and social resilience systems.</p>
<p data-start="632" data-end="1044">Building on 17 years of implementation experience under the <strong data-start="692" data-end="739">Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR)</strong>, CIF has launched a transformative initiative known as the <strong data-start="799" data-end="888">Accelerating Resilience Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Economies (ARISE)</strong> program. ARISE is designed to help developing countries convert national resilience priorities into structured, investable, and scalable climate solutions.</p>
<p data-start="1046" data-end="1293">To support the technical integrity, fairness, and strategic direction of this program, CIF is now recruiting an <strong data-start="1158" data-end="1192">Independent Expert Group (IEG)</strong> composed of globally recognized professionals in climate change, finance, and development economics.</p>
<p data-start="1295" data-end="1458">A critical milestone in this initiative is the submission of Expressions of Interest (EoIs) by participating countries, with a deadline set for <strong data-start="1439" data-end="1457">June 8th, 2026</strong>.</p>
<h2 data-section-id="18q7udl" data-start="1465" data-end="1491">About the ARISE Program</h2>
<p data-start="1493" data-end="1657">The ARISE program is a forward-looking climate resilience financing framework that focuses on turning climate adaptation needs into actionable investment pipelines.</p>
<p data-start="1659" data-end="1744">It prioritizes critical systems that are most vulnerable to climate risks, including:</p>
<ol data-start="1746" data-end="1932">
<li data-section-id="ec5w49" data-start="1746" data-end="1791">Food systems and agricultural resilience</li>
<li data-section-id="19frhs8" data-start="1792" data-end="1835">Water security and resource management</li>
<li data-section-id="cpzwwd" data-start="1836" data-end="1885">Climate-resilient infrastructure development</li>
<li data-section-id="ufvpl3" data-start="1886" data-end="1932">Sustainable and low-carbon energy systems</li>
</ol>
<p data-start="1934" data-end="2120">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.</p>
<h2 data-section-id="t60vek" data-start="2127" data-end="2172">Role of the Independent Expert Group (IEG)</h2>
<p data-start="2174" data-end="2391">The <strong data-start="2178" data-end="2212">Independent Expert Group (IEG)</strong> will consist of six internationally selected experts with deep technical and strategic experience in climate adaptation, development finance, and economic systems transformation.</p>
<p data-start="2393" data-end="2620">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.</p>
<h3 data-section-id="164ueu3" data-start="2622" data-end="2646">Key Responsibilities</h3>
<p data-start="2648" data-end="2721">The Independent Expert Group will undertake the following core functions:</p>
<h4 data-start="2723" data-end="2764">1. Evaluation of Country Submissions</h4>
<ul data-start="2765" data-end="2972">
<li data-section-id="1j7epa4" data-start="2765" data-end="2838">Review Expressions of Interest (EoIs) submitted by eligible countries</li>
<li data-section-id="183m5wk" data-start="2839" data-end="2913">Assess proposals against established CIF and ARISE evaluation criteria</li>
<li data-section-id="r8o273" data-start="2914" data-end="2972">Ensure alignment with resilience investment priorities</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="2974" data-end="3011">2. Technical Research and Review</h4>
<ul data-start="3012" data-end="3205">
<li data-section-id="1gi54wj" data-start="3012" data-end="3060">Analyze annexed project and policy documents</li>
<li data-section-id="1tx524p" data-start="3061" data-end="3145">Conduct supplementary desk research using the Integrated Results Framework (IRF)</li>
<li data-section-id="1vh7j30" data-start="3146" data-end="3205">Validate technical feasibility and investment readiness</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="3207" data-end="3239">3. Stakeholder Consultation</h4>
<ul data-start="3240" data-end="3438">
<li data-section-id="1v7rxfx" data-start="3240" data-end="3302">Conduct structured interviews with country representatives</li>
<li data-section-id="fiizao" data-start="3303" data-end="3356">Engage with multilateral development banks (MDBs)</li>
<li data-section-id="18762o1" data-start="3357" data-end="3438">Confirm compliance with MDB partnership standards and coordination frameworks</li>
</ul>
<h4 data-start="3440" data-end="3477">4. Reporting and Recommendations</h4>
<ul data-start="3478" data-end="3873">
<li data-section-id="s90wri" data-start="3478" data-end="3545">Produce a ranked list of countries based on evaluation outcomes</li>
<li data-section-id="14e5gca" data-start="3546" data-end="3646">Submit formal recommendations to the <strong data-start="3585" data-end="3644">Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) Trust Fund Committee (TFC)</strong></li>
<li data-section-id="bvnzu4" data-start="3647" data-end="3711">Provide methodological notes detailing evaluation approaches</li>
<li data-section-id="1fl5cn6" data-start="3712" data-end="3787">Document limitations, challenges, and gaps identified during assessment</li>
<li data-section-id="upg5wo" data-start="3788" data-end="3873">Include a full list of consulted stakeholders for transparency and accountability</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-section-id="gl9sy" data-start="3880" data-end="3916">Selection Criteria for Applicants</h2>
<p data-start="3918" data-end="4020">Applicants interested in serving on the Independent Expert Group must meet the following requirements:</p>
<h3 data-section-id="pjrdkx" data-start="4022" data-end="4049">Academic Qualifications</h3>
<ul data-start="4050" data-end="4194">
<li data-section-id="1vsou21" data-start="4050" data-end="4194">A Master’s degree or PhD in fields relevant to climate change, development economics, environmental science, finance, or related disciplines</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-section-id="qo1z6b" data-start="4196" data-end="4223">Professional Experience</h3>
<ul data-start="4224" data-end="4428">
<li data-section-id="t3e84n" data-start="4224" data-end="4283">Minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience</li>
<li data-section-id="epk952" data-start="4284" data-end="4362">Proven work in climate resilience, development finance, or related sectors</li>
<li data-section-id="q3ffo0" data-start="4363" data-end="4428">Experience in developing country contexts is highly preferred</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-section-id="ukrw9k" data-start="4430" data-end="4469">Additional Preferred Qualifications</h3>
<ul data-start="4470" data-end="4624">
<li data-section-id="1kd8n6f" data-start="4470" data-end="4624">Prior experience working with multilateral institutions, international organizations, or global development agencies is an advantage but not mandatory</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-section-id="12rsmf8" data-start="4631" data-end="4659">Timeline and Availability</h2>
<p data-start="4661" data-end="4745">Selected experts must be available for engagement between <strong data-start="4719" data-end="4744">June and October 2026</strong>.</p>
<ul data-start="4747" data-end="4971">
<li data-section-id="jlp17c" data-start="4747" data-end="4808">Primary workload duration: approximately <strong data-start="4790" data-end="4806">6 to 8 weeks</strong></li>
<li data-section-id="v0jpb0" data-start="4809" data-end="4887">Work will include review cycles, consultations, and report drafting phases</li>
<li data-section-id="14anoia" data-start="4888" data-end="4971">Flexibility and responsiveness during peak evaluation periods will be essential</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-section-id="newgyb" data-start="4978" data-end="5017">Application Process and Requirements</h2>
<p data-start="5019" data-end="5091">Applicants are required to submit their applications directly via email:</p>
<p data-start="5093" data-end="5144"><strong data-start="5093" data-end="5119">CIF Secretariat Email: <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer" rel="noopener" data-start="5120" data-end="5142">CIFSecretariat@cif.org</a></strong></p>
<h3 data-section-id="21bl0q" data-start="5146" data-end="5175">Application Requirements:</h3>
<ul data-start="5176" data-end="5414">
<li data-section-id="wb1me3" data-start="5176" data-end="5213">Full name and contact information</li>
<li data-section-id="2vrahj" data-start="5214" data-end="5244">Detailed area of expertise</li>
<li data-section-id="1o3nogd" data-start="5245" data-end="5285">Updated curriculum vitae (CV/resume)</li>
<li data-section-id="sblyqd" data-start="5286" data-end="5414">Disclosure of any conflicts of interest (including current or past employment with CIF partner MDBs or related institutions)</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-section-id="bbu4eo" data-start="5416" data-end="5439">Important Deadline:</h3>
<ul data-start="5440" data-end="5584">
<li data-section-id="xwqk41" data-start="5440" data-end="5495">Application submission deadline: <strong>June 19, 2026</strong></li>
<li data-section-id="1xytr3s" data-start="5496" data-end="5584">Submissions through any channel other than the official email will not be considered</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-section-id="1y6prn5" data-start="5591" data-end="5606">Compensation</h2>
<p data-start="5608" data-end="5823">Selected experts will be remunerated in accordance with <strong data-start="5664" data-end="5723">World Bank consultant procurement rules and regulations</strong>, ensuring standardized and competitive international compensation structures for technical experts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For more information about this opportunity, visit <a href="https://www.cif.org/ariseeoi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>
<p data-start="5608" data-end="5823">Discover more Global Consultancy Opportunities on OFY <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=consultancy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/06/08/independent-expert-group-for-the-arise-program-cif-global-call-for-climate-finance-and-resilience-experts/">Independent Expert Group for the ARISE Program (CIF): Global Call for Climate Finance and Resilience Experts</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>