Director Resilience & Climate Action Department📣 Job Ad

About the Role

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is seeking a Director to lead its Resilience & Climate Action Department. This contract position is based in Makkah, with responsibilities extending to Jeddah and Makkah. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of experience and offers a unique opportunity to shape strategic direction in critical thematic areas.

Departmental Leadership and Strategic Direction

The Director will provide leadership, set strategic direction, ensure resource availability, and coordinate activities across key thematic areas including Climate Change, Environment and Social Safeguards, Fragility, Conflict, and Resilience (FCR) affected situations, Disaster Risk Management, Emergency Relief, NGOs/CSOs and third sector, Women Empowerment, and Youth Development in Member Countries (MCs). This involves leading the Climate Change & Environment Division, Fragility and Resilience Division, and Women & Youth Empowerment Division, reporting to the Director-General GPP. The role is responsible for annual planning, achieving Key Performance Indicators, and aligning departmental results with the Bank's strategy.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Serve as a high-level focal point and resource center for all departmental thematic areas within the Bank and IsDB Group.
• Provide thematic leadership for the preparation of Member Countries Partnership Strategies.
• Contribute essential inputs to the management, coordination, and implementation of the Bank's Corporate Strategy focus areas.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and oversee portfolio monitoring teams, integrating relevant indicators and metrics.
• Lead the Bank’s external partnerships related to the Resilience and Social Action Department to enhance visibility and develop networks.
• Oversee collaboration with other teams to ensure the dissemination of knowledge and expertise, addressing crosscutting issues.
• Ensure the sharing of key knowledge and learning outcomes from the department's thematic areas.
• Lead the development of short and medium-term global plans and programs for MCs.
• Direct the preparation of policy briefs and notes, staying abreast of international developments in Resilience and Climate Action.
• Oversee the development of key results targets and performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure the department's strategic contribution to the Bank’s annual budgeting process and resource allocation.
• Identify business process improvements and oversee updates to the Operations Manual.
• Represent IsDB in local and international forums on relevant thematic topics.
• Coordinate the work of all RCA Divisions and collaborate with other internal units and the Directorate.
• Collaborate with other Sectorial Units to support project preparation and implementation.
• Review annual and multi-year plans and oversee the execution of annual programs for Resilience and Climate Action.
• Coordinate with IsDB Group entities on major group-wide programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate the development and contribution of thematic units in relevant Sukuk programs.

Leadership and Team Management

The Director will supervise the Department with high standards of integrity and excellence, aligning with the Director-General on overall direction. This includes ensuring strong collaboration with other Global Practices and Country Programming, developing partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and acting as a spokesperson. The role involves supporting Division Heads in team development and recruitment, providing thought leadership on impact measurement and monitoring, and managing the work program delivery of the department's three Divisions. The Director will provide motivational and inspirational leadership, communicate clear performance expectations, and manage performance through regular feedback, coaching, and development actions. This includes assessing staff capabilities, supporting recruitment efforts, and acting as a role model for IsDB values and leadership competencies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in environmental sciences, social sciences, conflict and development, social development, economics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in relevant development thematic areas, including climate change, women empowerment, youth development, fragility, conflict, resilience, social development, and NGO practice.
• A minimum of 7 years of managerial/supervisory experience, with at least 5 years in a Developmental Institution.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Expertise in Climate Change, Women and Youth Empowerment, Fragility, Conflict, Resilience (FCR), and Civil Society and NGOs Engagement.
• Proficiency in Project Design for Impact and Sustainability, and Project Management.
• Strong capabilities in Thematic Policy and Strategy Formulation and Advisory.
• Understanding of Policies and Procedures, Thematic/Country Dialogue and Work, and IsDB Financing Instruments.
• Skills in Partnership Management and Economic Analysis and Assessment.
• Ability to adapt to changing business circumstances and draw actionable steps from IsDB's overall strategy.
• High degree of integrity, ethics, confidentiality, and the ability to protect sensitive information.
• Capacity to maintain a rational and objective demeanor under stress.
• Proficiency in carrying out performance evaluations and prioritizing work tasks.
• Ability to influence others, identify basis for compromise, and reach agreement.
• Skill in identifying risks and implementing necessary mitigation measures.
• A commitment to consistently working to a high standard and seeking improvements in working practices and processes.