Bell will be joined by ex-Kiwis coach Frank Endacott, former Warriors skipper Monty Betham and ex-Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu.
The panel will interview candidates and make a recommendation to the NZRL board, which will finalise the appointment.
The position is open to allcomers, not just New Zealand-based coaches, and applications close on April 6.
NZRL chairman Reon Edwards said a key recommendation of the post 2017 World Cup review was that there should be more transparency and rigour around various appointments.
The Kiwis' 2017 tournament ended in a shock 4-2 defeat to Fiji in the quarterfinals, following an earlier 28-22 loss to Tonga.
"This independent panel is a great step forward for what is going to be a busy year for the game," Edwards said.
The first challenge for the Kiwis is a one-off test against England in Denver, Colorado, on June 23.
This will be followed by a home test against Australia later in the year and a tour of England and France in October and November.
