Director, Innovative Financing Solutions Unit at the OPEC Fund for International Development

The OPEC Fund for International Development is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1976. Our 12 Member Countries are:  Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director, Innovative Financing Solutions Unit

Location: Austria
Employment type: Fixed Term Contract
Department / Unit: Strategy Department / Innovative Financing Solutions Unit

Job Profile

• The Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight to the Innovative Financing Solutions unit, ensuring the development and successful implementation of innovative financing solutions and partnerships, aligned with sectoral or thematic strategies of the OPEC Fund.
• The primary objective is to mobilize external resources, support operational growth, and strengthen the OPEC Fund’s position as a Project Developer and Catalyzer.

Duties and Responsibilities
Innovative Financing Solutions Leadership and Development

• Provides strategic leadership to the Innovative Financing Solutions Unit, including the development of implementation plans and annual work plan of activities that align with the organization's objectives and the OPEC Fund Strategic Framework 2030.
• Drives the development and implementation of thematic or sectoral innovative financing solutions, including grant-based initiatives, to mobilize external resources for organizational operations and program outcomes.
• Contributes to the development of innovative financing vehicles in coordination with the Private and Public Sector Departments and other internal stakeholders.

Functional Strategy:

• Coordinates the Strategy Department’s efforts to design innovative financing strategies aligned with the OPEC Fund’s long-term strategic objectives.
• Assesses the progress of implementing innovative financing plans and evaluates their strategic implications.
• Develops a capacity building plan for building knowledge of the OPEC Fund’s Employees on innovative finance approaches for sectoral, regional or thematic activities.

Horizon Planning:

• Leads the analysis of external trends to determine their impact on the organization's innovative financing strategies.
• Assists the Vice-President, Strategy, in responding to emerging international issues within the context of Innovative Financing Solutions.

Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Shapes the OPEC Fund’s relationships with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), international organizations, philanthropic institutions, and bilateral agencies at an institutional level, focusing on innovative financing collaborations.
• Establishes partnerships with MDBs, UN agencies, philanthropies, and other institutions, expanding collaborations for innovative financing.
• Represents the Innovative Financing Solutions Unit at external events, meetings and on missions, enhancing institutional knowledge management aligned with strategic objectives, and building relationships with counterparts from potential partner institutions.

Portfolio Management and Oversight:

• Oversees the origination, development, and management of innovative financing solutions, ensuring compliance with agreements and the Strategic Framework 2030.
• Manages partner and internal reporting processes, ensuring quality and timeliness.
• Coordinates resource allocation in collaboration with Operations departments.

Advice:

• Provides advice, recommendations, and suggestions for improving the efficiency and productivity of the Innovative Financing Solutions Unit.
• Carries out tasks assigned by the Vice-President, Strategy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's Degree in Economics, Finance, Strategy, Business Management or a related field. 
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant professional experience in the finance sector with large international development finance institutions or international organisations, including at least 5 years at a managerial level developing innovative finance or blended finance solutions for projects in emerging market economies.  
• Strong understanding of the development finance space.
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Subject Matter Knowledge - The in-depth understanding and expertise in specific fields relevant to the OPEC Fund's operations and the individual's role.
• Collaboration and Teamwork - The ability to effectively work with colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve shared goals.
• Communication - The ability to relay ideas, information and messages effectively and succinctly to a variety of audiences.
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity - The ability to take into account the variety of the human experience and how it contributes to the workplace and to demonstrate  respect for diverse cultures and viewpoints.
• Decision making - The ability to analyze information comprehensively to make well-informed decisions; assess both immediate and long-term ramifications. 
• Problem Solving Ability - The ability to identify issues adeptly, delve into root causes, and devise pragmatic solutions; demonstrate ingenuity and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. 
• Sense of Responsibility - The ability to demonstrate ownership and accountability in tasks and outcomes; uphold reliability and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities.

Technical Competencies:

• Client/Partner relationship management - The ability identify opportunities to cultivate and manage relationship with potential financial and knowledge partners.
• Project Management - Proficiency in leading projects from inception to completion, including planning, execution and monitoring.

Application Closing Date
10th April, 2024.