Senior Partnerships Specialist

Role Overview

Senior Partnerships Specialist at the Islamic Development Bank, based at the headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Company Overview

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development institution. This role is within the Operations Business Unit, specifically in the Partnerships, Global Advocacy & Resource Mobilization Department, Partnerships Division.

Role Purpose

To provide senior-level technical and professional support in the preparation and implementation of the Bank's partnership strategy, operational plans, and work programs. The role identifies partnership opportunities with key Global, Regional and National organizations to enhance economic cooperation among IsDB Member Countries, and collaborates with strategic partners including Multilateral Development Banks, the United Nations, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its institutions to achieve the Bank's Development Agenda.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development

• Contribute to the development and support implementation of the Partnership Strategic Framework to achieve the Bank's Strategies and Objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain meaningful partnerships with development partners to boost cofinancing, synergy and impact for economic growth of Member Countries.
• Identify and support the development of new partnerships including non-financing related partnerships such as Civil Society Organizations, Academia, UN, and EU to meet Member Countries and Communities development needs.
• Analyze and recommend opportunities to expand and deepen existing partnerships with international institutions, intergovernmental organizations, and regional and national organizations to deliver new channels for developmental activities.
• Participate in the initiation of new focused strategic partnership arrangements with partners to foster the role of IsDB as a developer-focused institution in alignment with new strategy.
• Support and promote strategic partnerships and alliances, and introduce innovative practices and methodologies for effective mobilization of resources both on and off-balance sheet.
• Support the development of a comprehensive strategy for strengthening partnerships and resource mobilization to achieve the Bank's corporate objectives.

Partnership Operations and Negotiation

• Work with traditional and new donors in mobilization of funds and concessional resources as per requirement of the Annual Plan of the Bank.
• Assist in the preparation and negotiation of Memorandums of Understanding between international institutions, intergovernmental organizations, regional and national organizations, NGOs, and developmental organizations and companies in Member Countries and non-Member Countries with close coordination with concerned Departments.
• Support and coordinate strategic dialogues with Multilateral Development Banks and strategic donors for Partnerships.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with public and private entities to tap their technical and financial resources for achievement of common objectives in Member Countries.
• Support, in coordination with concerned departments, the expansion of co-financing where IsDB is the lead financier and other syndication initiatives to keep aligned with set strategies and priorities.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the development of operational and action plans to implement the new Partnership Strategic Framework.
• Monitor and evaluate Memorandum of Understanding implementation to ensure effective implementation in development financing landscape and identify new potential areas for partnership including green, sustainable, social, impact and results-based financing.
• Support the development of Partner Intelligence Reports and inventory of best practices in the area of partnerships to research and conceptualize latest trends in partnership activities and initiatives.
• Support the development of a system or platform to monitor progress on partnership efforts of the bank and include global best practices.
• Contribute to the development of key results targets and performance indicators related to Partnership.
• Prepare and contribute to progress reports on Partnership and resource mobilization matters in compliance with the Bank's rules and procedures.

Knowledge Management and Advocacy

• Support the development of comprehensive plans and collaborate with relevant departments to support operations in Member and Non-Member Countries.
• Collaborate with other Multilateral Development Banks, International Financial Institutions and development partners to exchange knowledge and best practices for partnerships.
• Contribute to the development of Knowledge Management and Institutional Learning materials in areas related to Partnership including development of best practices.
• Represent the Bank, as delegated, in international events on development issues related to Partnership, Global Advocacy and Resource Mobilization to position IsDB as a key development player in international forums.
• Promote and market partnership opportunities with existing and prospective development partners for country, regional and thematic operations and programs to support development and branding of existing and new initiatives and products.
• Work closely with the Global Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Teams for coordinating Bank's engagement with various global partners.
• Identify new partnership opportunities and introduce measures to enable the Bank to diversify and meet concessional financing needs of Least Developed Member Countries and countries facing fragile situations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in development studies or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in development work, including formulation and implementation of development programs and projects and partnership-related activities.

Skills & Competencies

• Communication and partnership management.
• Donor relationship management.
• Program development and implementation.
• Project management.
• Policies and procedures.
• Development effectiveness.
• IsDB financing instruments.
• Ability to adapt to changing business circumstances to maintain effective performance of complex issues.
• Ability to identify common ground and reach agreement.
• Ability to draw actionable steps from IsDB overall strategy.
• High degree of confidentiality and protection of sensitive information.
• Ability to maintain a rational and objective demeanor when faced with stressful or emotional situations.
• Ability to carry out performance evaluations.
• Plans and prioritizes work tasks appropriately.
• Influences others using rational arguments.
• Consistently works to a high standard and looks for ways to improve current working practices and processes.
• Ability to identify risks and implement necessary mitigation measures.

Additional Information

Languages

• English: Mandatory
• Arabic: Preferred
• French: Preferred

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Fixed Term
• Job Grade: E3
• Closing Date: 27 October 2026

Application Requirements

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of passport
• Academic certificate

Important Notes

If you are currently an IsDB Regular staff member applying for this role and are selected through the competitive selection process, your current contract type and other terms and conditions will remain unchanged.

The Islamic Development Bank does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process. The Bank does not request information on applicants' bank accounts. The IsDB declines all responsibility for fraudulent publications of job posts or job offers in its name or fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.