Private Sector Observers to the CIFs

The term for the current observers to the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Trust Fund Committees and Sub-Committees will expire at the end of 2011.The next group of private sector observers should be selected before the current observers’ service term has expired. The CIF Administrative Unit has commissioned BSR, which has a good understanding of the characteristics of the private sector constituency, to manage a transparent and participatory process through which observers can be selected.

About the CIF

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) is a source of funding through which Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) provide additional grants and concessional financing to developing countries to address urgent climate change challenges.

The CIF has two Trust Funds, which each have a specific scope and objectives:

• The Clean Technology Fund (CTF) promotes investments to initiate a shift towards clean technologies.
• The Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) is an overarching fund to support targeted programs with dedicated funding to pilot new responses to climate change. Investments are focused on three areas: forest investment, climate resilience, and renewable energies in low income countries.

The Role of Observers

Observers representing civil society organizations, private sector groups, and representatives from indigenous communities are invited to participate in meetings of the Trust Fund Committees and Sub-Committees as active participants to ensure good linkages between the CIF and key partners and sound and transparent decision making. Observers are chosen through a self-selection process and are expected to shape the CIF’s decisions.

Private Sector Observers

The CIF Trust Fund Committee and Sub-Committees will each have two representatives from the private sector, making a total of eight Private Sector Observers. Private Sector Observers will be selected for the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and for the three Sub-Committees of the SCF (the Forest Investment Program [FIP], the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience [PPCR], and the Program for Scaling-up Renewable Energy [SREP]).

Private Sector Observers are expected to serve in the role for a total of 24 months (January 2012 to December 2013). Observers are expected to attend two in-person CIF meetings in 2012 and two more in 2013.

For general information on the role of private sector observers, please view the Private Sector Observers Information document.

Selection Criteria

Private Sector Observers are expected to:

1. Represent business umbrella organizations or associations with verifiable connections to networks that are actively engaged on issues relevant to the CIF. These organisations must be committed to open and transparent communication;
2. Have knowledge of the CIF and have expertise in sectors such as renewable energy, clean technology, sustainable forestry businesses, or in financing climate-related projects;
3. Fairly represent the needs and concerns of the larger business community and not only their own members and networks;
4. Prepare, attend, participate, and report back on CIF meetings;
5. Be proficient in English as meetings are held in English.

For the selection criteria, please view the Private Sector Observers Selection Criteria document.

Selection Process

The CIF Administrative Unit has commissioned BSR to design and implement a transparent and participatory selection process.

Private Sector Observers will be selected according to the following process:

1. Establishment of an independent Steering Committee to oversee the selection process, agree on selection criteria, and maintain integrity throughout the process
2. Contacting a wide range of business-related organizations and external observers and inviting them to nominate suitable Private Sector Observers. Private Sector Observers will be nominated from business/private sector-focused umbrella organizations, especially regional and international networks. This inclusive process will encourage applications from a range of suitable organizations
3. Receiving nominations and working with the independent Steering Committee to screen against objective selection criteria
4. Publication of a shortlist of candidates and invitation of external stakeholders to comment on the shortlist of candidates through a public consultative process
5. Confirmation of the Private Sector Observers, ensuring a balance of expertise, gender, and geographical interests