IDB2863 - Director General, Global Practices & Partnerships (DG-GPP)

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  • Business Unit
    Operations Complex
  • Division
    Not Applicable
  • Department
    Not Applicable
  • Country
    Saudi Arabia
  • Location
    Saudi Arabia - Jeddah
  • Job Grade
    13
  • Closing Date
    30-Sep-2022
Job Purpose:

The role of the Director-General, Global Practice and Partnership (DG-GPP) is to strategically steer the development and implementation of the annual work programs for the GPP Directorate to contribute effectively in realizing the strategy of the Bank. S/he leads the provision of technical thematic/sectoral expertise to support the development of Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS), programs and projects during preparation, implementation and completion stages. S/he is responsible for guiding the development of programs and initiatives in areas of economic and social infrastructure, human development, economic empowerment, climate action, capacity development, regional cooperation and integration, sciences, technologies and innovation (STI), community outreach, scholarships, resilience, fragility, disasters, women empowerment, youth development and Islamic economics and finance (via CoE).  

The DG-GPP plays the role of IsDB Sherpa and leads the Bank’s global advocacy agenda to position the institution as a credible development partner worldwide. The DG-GPP represents IsDB at high level international fora providing the Bank’s perspectives on the key development sectors and themes. The DG GPP leads the development, updating, and mainstreaming policies and strategies covering priority thematic/sectoral areas and ensuring their effective implementation. The role also provides thought leadership in boosting the knowledge generation and dissemination, and development and implementation of innovative products/programs/initiatives. S/he leads the drafting and issuance of IsDB’s position on emerging development issues/challenges and contributes to the flagship reports published by the Bank as well as to drafting Management speeches.

The DG-GPP leads the development and implementation of resource mobilization and co-financing strategy and plans of the Bank, for the various operational programs, in line with priorities of MCs. S/he leads the development of concrete and strategic partnerships aiming at leveraging financial resources and technical expertise from development partners, in line with the priorities of MCs and clients. 

Roles and Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Performance Management

  • Steer the formulation and development of GPP Directorate’s strategy, Budget, and contribution to the operations work program (OWP) of the operations complex, and the Integrated Work Program (IWP) of the Bank.
  •  Provide oversight to the effective implementation and contribute to the achievement of IsDB Strategy and Work Programs.
  • Set and deliver the strategic direction and objectives of the units managed by DG-GPP and guide the targets setting on key performance indicators (KPIs) for all units and submit regular progress reports to the senior Management.

Policy and Strategy

  • Lead the development and implementation IsDB’s global advocacy, partnership, and resource mobilization policies and strategies with clear goals, objectives and targets.
  • Lead the development and implementation of IsDB’s sector and thematic strategies to ensure addressing the MCs’ needs.
  • Ensure the sector and thematic policies are updated and implemented to address the MCs’ development challenges.
  • Assess the adequacy, alignment and effectiveness of the operations policies and guidelines with respect to the Bank’s overall Strategic Priorities, and best practices, within the emerging international development context.
  • Lead the provision of technical expertise and advice regarding the improvement of operational policies, guidelines, and procedures.
  • Steer the work for preparation/updating and implementation of sectoral and thematic policies and strategies for key thematic areas and core sectors.
  • Ensure that the thematic/sector-level strategies are aligned with and mainstreamed in the overall strategic direction of IsDB and these are implemented through the Bank’s Operational Interventions in MCs.
  • Strategically contribute to the preparation and implementation of MCPS projects and programs and in undertaking sectoral/thematic portfolio reviews.

Operational Support and Program Management

  • Guide the development of various programs and initiatives in line with the needs of MCs athe nd Strategic Priorities of the Bank.
  • Guide the development and implementation of Programs, Projects and Initiatives in areas of: of economic and social infrastructure, human development, economic empowerment, climate action, capacity development, regional cooperation and integration, sciences, technologies and innovation (STI), community outreach, scholarships, resilience, fragility, disasters, women empowerment, youth development and Islamic economics and finance (via CoE).
  • Ensure substantial contribution of all DG-GPP departments to the core operations of the Bank during various phases of the operations cycle.
  • Lead work on sectoral/thematic portfolio review and strategically guide the Bank’s interventions. 

Partnerships and Resource mobilization

  • Ensure close coordination and cooperation with all entities (ITFC, ICD, ICIEC, IsDBi) in line with the “One Group - One Goal” objective of the Bank’s strategy.
  •  Set annual targets for DG-GPP for contributing to co-financing and resource mobilization for Bank interventions.
  • Ensure synergies and provision of integrated solutions in MCPSs, projects, and programs that materialize the co-financing opportunities.
  • Ensure that DG-GPP programs and initiatives have the component of synergies within the Operations Complex and with the IsDB Group entities.
  • Build upon the existing relationships with major developmental partners, including OIC institutions, and seek to establish a new network of collaborative alliances with private and public entities.
  • Organize project or program level fundraising through roadshows and networking events that lead to partnership development.
  • Enhance IsDB’s position in the international development finance community for improving resource mobilization.
  • Explore ways and means to expand and deepen the engagement of partnerships through forging closer cooperation and coordination with international institutions, inter-governmental organizations, as well as regional and national organizations, NGOs, and Philanthropists.
  • Monitor and follow up on pledges made and catalyze new pledges from traditional (member countries), non-traditional and emerging sources (e.g., private sector, third sector), in close coordination with the different funds set up by the Bank. This will include identifying opportunities for launching new specialized sector-level platforms.
  • Initiate new focused strategic partnerships and global alliances with public and private entities/institutions to tap their technical and financial resources for the achievement of the common objectives in Member Countries and non-Member Countries.
  • Monitor the implementation of the MOUs and co-financing agreements signed by the IsDB with bilateral/regional/international organizations and other strategic partnership arrangements (e.g., Cooperation MOUs, Co-financing Agreements) focusing on product-level engagements.
  • Build and leverage on IsDB’s reputation and financial credibility to mobilize official development assistance and donations for deployment in socio-economic developmental projects in MCs. 

Organization’s Visibility

  • Act as IsDB Sherpa and lead its global development advocacy
  • Position the Bank globally as a key global actor on all areas covered under the DG-GPP sector/thematic units.
  • Represent the Bank in external fora regarding topics related to key priority areas and present the Bank’s perspective in these fora.
  • Promote a positive brand image and increase its global visibility and leverage upon global influencers to act as ambassadors for the Bank’s developmental work.
  • Support enhancement of IsDB’s position within the International Development Financing Community.
  • Strategically guide the ’marketing’ of partnership opportunities with existing as well as prospective development partners for country, regional and thematic programs 

Alignment of Operations with Country Needs and Global Best Practices

  • Set Strategic Priorities in Global Practices Areas with the aim of ensuring that operational activities are better designed and impactful for MCs.
  • Ensure that the Strategy of the Bank is translated into Operational Polices and Strategies to achieve the Strategic Aspirations of the Bank.
  • Keep track of emerging trends and latest development themes that will have implications on IsDB MCs demands.
  • Support the Management of the Bank in formulating views and adopting positions on key development challenges facing MCs.
  • Guide the directorate to become a knowledge-based function for global practice areas and build knowledge expertise in key thematic/sectoral areas.
  • Cascade the Bank’s strategy in various programs and projects and making transition toward Green, Inclusive and Sustainable Development.
  • Ensure smooth collaboration with the IsDB Group entities, DG-CP and Regional Hubs to materialize high quality of entry and implementation of projects and programs.
  • Ensure that MCPS Programs are designed in a way to maximize development impact in MCs by helping prepare suitable pipeline of projects and interventions.
  • Oversee cooperation across global practice areas and consult stakeholders in order to understand and obtain feedback on IsDB products and services for continuous improvement purposes.
  • Strategically advise top leadership of the Bank in formulating views and adopting positions on key development challenges facing Member Countries and beyond.

Leadership, People, and organization development

  • Develop individual targets for sub-complexes based on IsDB Strategy & Management Targets.
  • Set yearly and quarterly targets for sub-complexes.
  • Conduct performance evaluations of direct reports.
  • Develop Directors and Division Managers of sub-directorate units and guide them in the management of their functions.
  • Resolve conflicts and mediate disputes at sub-directorate level.
  • Provide motivational and inspirational leadership for the unit and communicate to direct reports clear performance expectations.
  • Manage the performance and resources of the unit through delegation of responsibility, setting stretch objectives and providing regular feedback on results at a unit level, promptly addressing areas of underperformance.
  • Monitor and assess the skills and capabilities of the directorate, and determine the actions needed to increase the complex's impact.
  • Support filling in key capability gaps of teams through capacity development and recruiting efforts.
  • Coach, mentor, and develop the direct reports and the top talent/high potential staff.
  • Act as a role model to communicate to the directorate’s staff IsDB's values and leadership competencies; provide direction and support in times of change.
  • Create a work environment that ensures continuous learning and staff encouragement to suggest, participate and contribute to initiatives of improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
  • Create an environment that promotes responsibility, accountability, and positive morale. 

 

Qualifications / Experience
  • Master's Degree in economics, business administration, (e.g., MBA), finance, engineering, international relations, political science, or any other related discipline.
  • Minimum 13 years of prior relevant experience, preferably in the international/ multilateral development Bank, handling similar multi-discipline functions.
  • Minimum 10 years of managerial experience.
  • An outstanding track record of achievement demonstrated through business results. 
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and develop a high-performance culture in organizations.
  • A substantial experience in project planning, development, management, or evaluation.
  • A proven ability to engage effectively at the most senior levels across the public, private, and civil society sectors and mobilize partners for transformative action.
  • Excellent understanding of multilateral development institutions, strategies, and operational issues.
  • Highly developed negotiation skills to yield positive outcomes with both internal and external senior counterparts.
  • Highly developed strategic thinking skills to translate strategic concepts and direction into implementing workable and sustainable projects and programs.
  • Demonstrated ability to take prudent business risks and make effective, timely, and well-thought-out decisions.
  • Capacity to strengthen and build partnerships and synergies internally across functions and geographies and externally with key institutions to drive integration and development.
  • Develop constructive working relationships at the highest management level within the Bank and externally to effectively deal with critical, sometimes contentious, issues.
  • Ability to listen and communicate effectively with stakeholders at the highest levels across sectors.
Job Location
  • Job will be based in IsDB’s headquarters in Jeddah, KSA
  • □Masters degree in economics, engineering, business administration or in any areas of Global Practices or related field. PhD will be preferred.
  • □15 years of work experience in the field of development, including at least 10 years in operations of international development institutions (design and implementation of projects, policies and strategies, quality assurance systems, operations results management, analytical and advisory work etc).
  • □Substantial exposure to the tenets of the IsDB's mission, including experience and track record in dealing with policy-formulation and execution.
  • □The last 5 years of the experience should be at a senior management position in a large or medium sized organization, preferably multinational development organization.
  • □Demonstrated skills and experience in developing innovative, strategic and high impact development solutions, international knowledge work or development financing products.
  • □Track record of working in demanding and complex environments of introducing ideas and innovation and of following through their implementation.
  • □Good grasp of the developing countries development issues, and solid experience in sector issues and the economics of development.
  • □Strong experience in policy dialogue and
  • □Experience of working in large multicultural organizations in the public or private sector with diversified workforce.
  • □Ability to communicate effectively and building relationships with oversight bodies such as boards of executive directors, board of governors and other senior government officials.
  • □Familiarity with the IsDB member countries as well as the work of multilateral development banks will be an  added advantage.
  • □Fluency in English is mandatory. Good knowledge of Arabic and/or French will be and added advantage.
  • □Proven intellectual leadership in managing and maintaining an efficient and transparent work environment.
  • □Demonstrated leadership ability and experience in strategy formulation and implementation.
  • □Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing organizational and cultural change to enhance performance and results.
  • □Ability to inspire and motivate staff and work across boundaries.
  • □Established reputation as an influencer with high integrity standards. 
  • □Masters degree in economics, engineering, business administration or in any areas of Global Practices or related field. PhD will be preferred.
  • □15 years of work experience in the field of development, including at least 10 years in operations of international development institutions (design and implementation of projects, policies and strategies, quality assurance systems, operations results management, analytical and advisory work etc).
  • □Substantial exposure to the tenets of the IsDB's mission, including experience and track record in dealing with policy-formulation and execution.
  • □The last 5 years of the experience should be at a senior management position in a large or medium sized organization, preferably multinational development organization.
  • □Demonstrated skills and experience in developing innovative, strategic and high impact development solutions, international knowledge work or development financing products.
  • □Track record of working in demanding and complex environments of introducing ideas and innovation and of following through their implementation.
  • □Good grasp of the developing countries development issues, and solid experience in sector issues and the economics of development.
  • □Strong experience in policy dialogue and
  • □Experience of working in large multicultural organizations in the public or private sector with diversified workforce.
  • □Ability to communicate effectively and building relationships with oversight bodies such as boards of executive directors, board of governors and other senior government officials.
  • □Familiarity with the IsDB member countries as well as the work of multilateral development banks will be an  added advantage.
  • □Fluency in English is mandatory. Good knowledge of Arabic and/or French will be and added advantage.
  • □Proven intellectual leadership in managing and maintaining an efficient and transparent work environment.
  • □Demonstrated leadership ability and experience in strategy formulation and implementation.
  • □Demonstrated experience in managing and implementing organizational and cultural change to enhance performance and results.
  • □Ability to inspire and motivate staff and work across boundaries.
  • □Established reputation as an influencer with high integrity standards. 
    • Travel Requirements
    • Travel as needed


    About Application Process

    If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):

    1. Resume/CV
    2. Passport-size photograph