Adaptation Fund short-term consultancy: Developing Innovation Strategy Directions
The Adaptation Fund is seeking an experienced consultant to develop an Innovation Directions document that will shape how the Fund approaches climate innovation within its next Medium-Term Strategy (provisionally 2027–2031). Since 2010, the Fund has committed over US$1,5 billion to climate adaptation and resilience, supporting more than 217 locally driven projects that benefit over 50 million people in vulnerable developing-country communities, and has played a pioneering role in Direct Access, locally led adaptation and its dedicated Innovation Facility.
The Innovation Facility operates under the Fund’s innovation pillar and provides small and large grants across several funding windows to accelerate, replicate and scale innovative adaptation practices, tools and technologies. Under Medium-Term Strategy II (2023–2027), this pillar focuses on: encouraging and accelerating new high‑impact innovations; replicating and scaling successful solutions; strengthening access and capacity for innovation design and implementation; and generating and sharing evidence to inform learning and adaptive management. As the Fund prepares for Medium-Term Strategy III (2027–2031), it will use the Innovation Directions document to clarify its strategic positioning in the global adaptation innovation landscape and to guide the future of its innovation work.
Objectives of the assignment
The primary objective is to produce a comprehensive Innovation Directions document that will guide the Fund’s future engagement in climate adaptation innovation. Specifically, the document will:
- Map the global innovation and adaptation finance landscape and outline options for the Fund’s strategic positioning.
- Define how the Fund can leverage its strengths and comparative advantages to finance innovation more effectively.
- Identify key innovation priorities and emerging opportunities in climate adaptation.
- Provide actionable recommendations for integrating innovation into Medium-Term Strategy III.
- Ensure alignment with global best practices, adaptation priorities and the Fund’s overarching mission and goals.
Scope of work
The consultant will adopt a research‑ and consultation‑driven approach to develop the Innovation Directions. Core tasks include:
- Desk-based research on global trends, practices, actors and gaps in adaptation innovation and finance.
- Design and administration of a stakeholder survey and interviews with Adaptation Fund staff, implementing entities and partners, and external experts across the innovation ecosystem.
- Analysis of findings to identify the Fund’s comparative advantages, positioning options and strategic priorities.
- Drafting a structured Innovation Directions document that outlines vision, mission, priorities, positioning options and strategic approaches.
- Refining and finalising the document based on structured feedback from the Fund and key stakeholders.
Approach and methodology
The Fund expects a systematic, analytical and participatory methodology. This includes:
- Comprehensive desk research to identify global best practices, lessons and innovation models relevant to climate adaptation.
- Inclusive stakeholder consultations to capture diverse perspectives from internal teams, implementing entities, and external experts.
- Development of a draft strategy grounded in evidence and stakeholder inputs.
- Iterative refinement through feedback loops with the Adaptation Fund and stakeholders.
- Clear articulation of the Fund’s current and potential role along the adaptation innovation “value chain”, and its relationships with other actors in the landscape.
Key deliverables
The consultant will be responsible for three main outputs:
- Stakeholder Viewpoints Summary – a concise report synthesising survey and interview findings, key insights, challenges and recommendations.
- Draft Innovation Directions document – a preliminary strategy document outlining innovation priorities, positioning, opportunities and proposed approaches.
- Final Innovation Directions document – a refined, comprehensive document incorporating feedback from the Adaptation Fund and stakeholders, suitable for informing Medium-Term Strategy III.
Required expertise
The assignment is targeted at a senior specialist with a strong track record in climate adaptation and innovation. Minimum requirements include:
- At least 12 years of experience in innovation for climate change adaptation.
- Proven expertise in innovative financing instruments for adaptation projects (e.g. blended finance, guarantees, innovative grant mechanisms).
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to synthesise complex technical, financial and policy information.
- Demonstrated experience engaging diverse stakeholders and facilitating consultations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Timeline and duration
The consultancy will run for approximately five months, from February 2026 to June 2026, with an indicative schedule:
- February 2026: Assignment commencement.
- March 2026: Submission of the Stakeholder Viewpoints summary report.
- May 2026: Submission of the draft Innovation Directions (Innovation Pre‑Strategy) document.
- June 2026: Submission of the final Innovation Directions document.
The ToR also notes a specified number of working days within this period, potentially extending activity through July 2026 for administrative closure.
Roles, responsibilities and reporting
The consultant will conduct research, manage stakeholder consultations, draft and finalise the Innovation Directions, and ensure all deliverables are submitted on time while maintaining regular communication with the Fund. The Adaptation Fund will provide strategic guidance, facilitate stakeholder engagement, review deliverables, and ensure access to relevant documents and resources. The consultant will report directly to the Lead for Programming and Innovation at the Adaptation Fund, providing regular progress updates via email, virtual meetings and consultations as required.
Application process
Interested candidates should submit their CV by 18 January 2026 to: sdobardzic@adaptation-fund.org and ahollander@adaptation-fund.org. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Adaptation Fund’s mandate, Medium‑Term Strategies and Innovation Facility through the Fund’s official website before applying.
International (Open to qualified consultants worldwide)
Click HERE to visit the official website.