Expression of Interest for CIF Strategic Communications Support. CIF Strategic Communications Consultancy 1. Introduction CIF operates in an increasingly complex and rapidly shifting global environment. The current geopolitical and policy landscape including evolving positions among major donor governments, ongoing debates around the role of multilateral institutions, and growing scrutiny of development finance demands that CIF communicate its value, impact, and positioning with greater precision, clarity, and strategic intent than ever before. As the global community approaches the 2026 climate season including key UNFCCC milestones, COP31, and associated ministerial and high-level events CIF requires expert strategic communications support to refine its core messaging, strengthen its narrative, and ensure it is well-positioned to engage effectively with key audiences across the policy and finance. 2. Purpose CIF seeks to engage an experienced strategic communications consultancy (firm or individual) to provide high-level advisory and hands-on support in refining CIFs messaging architecture and communications strategy for the current period and through the 2026 climate season. The consultant will help CIF navigate the current climate both geopolitical and environmental by ensuring its communications are sharp, timely, audience-appropriate, and strategically coherent. 1. Scope of Work 1.1 Climate Season Positioning and Engagement Strategy The consultant will develop a strategic communications plan for the 2026 climate season, covering the period from and including London Climate Action Week, leading up to and including COP31 and key associated events through to December 2026. This plan will identify priority moments, audiences, and channels, and include identification of opportunities for media engagement, proposals for media angles and story hooks based on media/journalists interests, positioning briefs, and recommended communications actions to ensure CIF has a visible, consistent, and impactful presence during this critical period. 1.2 Messaging and Narrative Refinement The consultant will work closely with CIFs communications and leadership teams to refine and strengthen core messages and narratives, building on work completed over the past two years and taking into account the evolving international aid environment. This will include: Developing a clear, compelling, and resilient overarching narrative that articulates CIFs unique value proposition, its role within the multilateral climate finance architecture, and its impact on the ground. Tailoring messaging for key stakeholder audiences, including: Contributor governments: refining narratives that provide a strong rationale for additional contributions in the context of declining ODA, clearly demonstrating CIFs value proposition and the impact of donor funding. Partner countries: clarifying CIFs value proposition for engagement, including how to access CIF funding, why to engage, and the benefits delivered to countries. Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) partners: aligning messaging on collaboration, comparative advantage, and joint impact. Media: developing messaging aligned to agreed communications objectives and priority storylines. · Providing targeted guidance and tools for engaging priority stakeholders, including: o contributor and partner governments navigating shifting political priorities, and o media ensuring messaging is responsive to the current context while remaining consistent with CIFs long-term strategy and mandate. 1.3 Announcement Specific Communications Plans The consultant shall develop announcement specific communications plans and materials for a maximum of five announcements, including pitching to media. 1.4 Op-Ed Placement The Consultant shall define the strategic framing, key messages, and target audience for an op-ed, and shall provide editorial guidance throughout its development to the CIF team to ensure alignment with the clients communication objectives. The Consultant shall lead the placement of the op-ed in a relevant and high-visibility publication, managing all outreach and coordination with editorial contacts required to secure publication. For clarity, the CIF team will draft the Op-Ed. 1.5 Media Pitching and Leadership Support The Consultant shall: Test and refine key messages with selected media contacts, with a short summary of insights and recommended adjustments prepared Pitch CIF to key agreed media outlets to secure message-led coverage to assist with solidifying CIFs position in the wider climate finance architecture Support the preparation of CIFs leadership and designated spokespersons for high-profile media engagements, and a number of high-level appearances connected to announcements. 2. Deliverables & Timeframe The deliverables for this commission include: · Climate Season 2026 Positioning and Engagement Strategy · A clear and structured overarching narrative for CIF, including core positioning, key messages, proof points, and guidance on tone and voice. This will articulate CIFs value proposition, role in the multilateral climate finance architecture, and demonstrated impact. · Tailored messaging frameworks for priority stakeholder groups for use for Climate Season, including: Contributor governments Partner countries Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) partners Media Each brief will include key messages, supporting evidence, recommended framing, and dos and donts for engagement. · Workshops and Internal Alignment Sessions: Facilitation of two workshops with CIF leadership to validate and socialize the narrative and messaging, and to support internal alignment. · Media pitching and briefs as required to support CIF leadership to deliver on the Climate Season 2026 Positioning and Engagement Strategy. · Message-led coverage for CIF through strategic media pitching to reach CIF target audiences. · Op-Ed placed in a relevant and high-visibility publication. · Final summary report and recommendations for advancing in 2027. All of the above should be delivered by mid December 2026, with the exact dates for each deliverable confirmed on contract award. 3. Reporting & Coordination The Consultant will report to the Head of Communications or designate. Regular check-in calls will be held to track progress. Consultation and coordination with the wider CIF team, including partnerships, strategy, etc will be essential. 4. Qualifications & Experience The Consultant shall have: Demonstrated experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or advocacy, ideally within the international development, climate, or finance sectors. Strong understanding of the multilateral development and climate finance landscape, including familiarity with UNFCCC processes, COP dynamics, and relevant institutional actors. Proven track record of developing messaging frameworks and communications strategies for complex, multi-stakeholder organizations. Experience supporting senior leadership on positioning, media engagement, and high-stakes communications environments. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to translate complex technical and policy content into clear, compelling narratives. Experience working with or within international organizations, multilateral institutions, or comparable entities is an advantage. Ability to work with agility and responsiveness in a fast-moving policy and communications environment. 5. Use of AI Any AI-assisted work for this commission must be transparently disclosed with each deliverable (tools used, tasks performed by AI, and validation steps) and be reviewed and validated by qualified humans; the Consultant remains fully responsible for accuracy, quality, ethics, IP compliance, and data protection. The Consultant must use secure, lawful AI practices (no input of confidential/sensitive data into unmanaged systems), keep an auditable log of AI use, and remedy any non-compliant outputs at no additional cost upon the Clients request. 6. Submission Requirements The Consultant proposal shall detail: · A brief technical proposal (no more than four (A4) pages) outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed approach, and relevant experience. · A current firm profile (no more than eight (A4) pages, including examples of comparable work or relevant client references and conflict of interest disclosures. · Up to two samples of relevant work (e.g., messaging frameworks, communications strategies, or written content). · A financial proposal including daily/monthly rates and total cost. Publication Date: 05/14/2026 12:00 AM EDT EOI Deadline: 05/26/2026 11:59 PM EDT Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6896/view.html
