I. Opportunity
LIFE-AR (the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience) is the only Least Developed Countries (LDC)-owned and LDC-led platform for political and financial transformation in climate adaptation. It is designed to shift global climate action from short-term, externally driven, projectised approaches to long-term, country-driven, locally led climate-resilient development. Working across 10 countries, LIFE-AR supports LDCs to strengthen national systems, unlock climate finance, and implement Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) at scale.
LIFE-AR is at a critical point as the initiative transitions from its current hosting arrangement under IIED to an independent, LDC-owned, led and managed LIFE-AR Facility; a trusted mechanism to channel climate finance efficiently, reduce intermediation, and strengthen national capabilities for direct access. This transition must be secured against the current landscape of shrinking ODA, shifting donor priorities, and increasing climate vulnerability in LDCs, making it one of the most consequential resource mobilisation challenges in the climate adaptation space today.
Since its inception, LIFE-AR has built a strong track record of financial support with Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Irish Aid as the longest-standing development partners (previously included US Department of State) later joined by Canada (ECCC), Quadrature Climate Foundation, and Climate Works Foundation. This consultancy comes at a moment when that support base must be expanded and diversified to secure long-term sustainability and continued political relevance.
To deliver the transition and scale the initiative across existing and potentially new countries, LIFE-AR requires strategic resource mobilisation to secure £33 million over five years, including an immediate annual budget (£5.41m) to March 2027.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior fundraiser to shape the future of a transformational initiative, one that offers direct engagement with LDC Ministers, senior representatives of major funding organisations, and the chance to support how climate finance is delivered to the world’s most vulnerable countries.
II. Purpose
The consultant will serve as a Senior Strategic Adviser to the Director of the LIFE-AR Interim Secretariat, leading and coordinating resource mobilisation for the LIFE-AR transition and ongoing sustainable operations. The consultant will work closely with LDC Group leadership, the LIFE-AR Board, existing Development Partners (UK, Ireland, Canada, Climate Works Foundation, and Quadrature Climate Foundation), and National Focal Points across LIFE-AR countries.
The consultant will design and execute a targeted fundraising strategy that secures new commitments and expands the funder base, ensuring alignment with LIFE-AR’s established Standard Operating Procedures and complementarity across donors.
This role requires a strategic thought partner, not solely a deliverer of products. The consultant will be expected to shape the political narrative, identify windows of opportunity, and broker relationships that lead to transformational financing outcomes.
III. Objectives
- Secure new funding commitments from bilateral donors, philanthropies, climate finance institutions, and non-traditional funders to meet LIFE-AR’s immediate and medium-term financing needs, in line with existing LIFE-AR Standard Operating Procedures.
- Strengthen and expand high-level funder relationships, ensuring coordinated engagement with LDC leadership and alignment across the donor base.
- Support and secure financing for the new LIFE-AR Facility, positioning it as a credible, LDC-led mechanism for direct access to multilateral climate funds.
- Develop compelling pitches, briefs, and funder engagement materials aligned with the LIFE-AR Strategy, transition plan, and implementation results, evidence and learning.
- Coordinate donor dialogues, country visits, and virtual engagements that maximise fundraising opportunities through increased visibility of actions and results, leading to direct funder engagement and funding.
- Explore opportunities with funders supporting sister initiatives (e.g. LoCAL) to identify potential for co-funding or complementary financing approaches.
IV. Profile
The consultant must be a senior-level fundraising and climate/development finance expert with the credibility, networks, and political acumen to operate at the highest levels of international climate finance.
Essential qualifications
- Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in climate finance, international development, or philanthropic fundraising, with demonstrated success mobilising multi-million pound/dollar commitments.
- Advanced understanding of the evolving international public finance landscape, including declining ODA, shifts in donor priorities, and the implications for climate and development finance in LDCs.
- Proven ability to navigate politically complex environments, including multilateral processes, COP politics, and funder dynamics to unlock opportunities amidst constrained funding.
- Experience developing narratives that elevate programmes from ‘niche’ to ‘transformational’, ensuring high-level political resonance and strategic visibility.
- Deep networks across climate finance institutions, bilateral donors, philanthropies, multilateral funds, and familiarity with non-traditional funding sources including impact investors and the private sector.
- Track record of designing blended finance or partnership models or creatively leveraging multi-stakeholder coalitions to mobilise resources.
- Ability to work across diverse stakeholders (LDC governments, philanthropies, CFIs, MDBs, private sector, civil society) and build coalitions that shift political and financing incentives.
- Proven capability to advise senior political leaders and craft engagement strategies that lead to concrete, high-level commitments.
- Comfort operating in fast-shifting geopolitical contexts, adapting strategies quickly to capitalise on windows of opportunity.
- Experience identifying and shaping new funding windows, rather than waiting for established calls or pipelines.
- Strong understanding of LDC priorities, climate-resilient development, Locally Led Adaptation, and the global climate finance architecture.
- Exceptional writing, pitch development, and communication skills.
V. Duration & Level of Effort
- 6 months, with an estimated up to 10–15 days per month, depending on deliverables.
- Travel may be required for donor dialogues and key events.
VI. Application Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
- CV demonstrating relevant experience
- A short technical proposal outlining approach, networks, and how you would prioritise action within the 6-month timeframe
- Daily rate and availability
- Two references from similar assignments
Send applications to: LIFE-AR Governance Senior Project Manager, Ranak Maher.
