Lead Communities Outreach Specialist

IDB3402 - Lead Communities Outreach Specialist

Business Unit: Operations- Global Practice & Partnership

Division: Special Assistance

Department: Cooperation & Capacity Development

Country: Saudi Arabia

Location: Saudi Arabia - Jeddah

Job Grade: E4

Closing Date: 01-Feb-2025

Job Purpose

To lead the team in planning, implementing, and supervising the development and management of the communities outreach programs of IsDB (development and relief operations). This role advises and supports the Division manager in the execution of programs, activities, and initiatives of the division and provides technical and professional guidance to other Division staff to achieve its strategic objectives.

To act as a technical authority on communities outreach programs internally for the IsDB and externally for non-member countries. To lead the design and implementation of the Bank's policy, strategy, operational plan, work programs, and interventions relating to communities outreach programs for Muslim communities in non-member countries and partnership building with stakeholders.

Lead the inclusion of innovative solutions through communities outreach program, mobilize financial resources to supplement existing internal resources, advise Global Practices to mainstream communities outreach program within all related activities of the Bank, and position IsDB in the global landscape of non-member countries, sharing knowledge and expertise relevant to Muslim communities in non-member countries.

Advise on general strategic orientations related to communities outreach program and cooperation with partners and build the IsDB's enabling environment for special assistance initiatives.

Lead the formulation and updating of the IsDB policies and strategies related to communities outreach program and partnerships with stakeholders. Ensure effective mainstreaming of capacity development in communities outreach programs and benefiting the experience from the IsDB's sector policies to benefit Muslim communities in NMCs.

Improve the partnership and collaboration with partners in NMCs in line with the strategic orientations of the Bank. Ensure that communities outreach programs are well positioned within the corporate results framework, identify and select the relevant indicators based on the strategy objectives, and report on them.

Undertake the capacity gaps analysis in the development projects for Muslim communities in NMCs. Lead the preparation of the work plan, programs, and activities and ensure timely achievement.

Undertake sector/analytical work and studies in relation to special assistance/ communities outreach and capacity development to examine issues, assess the needs and identify required priority interventions, and prepare related policy briefs/notes.

Collect inputs from partners, Global Practices, and Regional Hubs to prepare and regularly update Bank's special assistance and capacity development approaches.

Identify business process improvements and suggest changes to the quality team to update the operations manuals. Provide overall leadership on cascading down the IsDB's strategic plans and policies related to special assistance/ communities outreach programs at the operational level.

Assess the overall risk of the portfolio of special assistance and undertake required preventive/corrective measures. Lead the piloting of innovative approaches for operationalizing capacity development within and across regions and enable cross-regional knowledge fertilization and exchanges among partners in close cooperation with internal stakeholders of the Bank.

Lead resource mobilization efforts to raise funds to supplement existing internal resources and support capacity development projects and activities through the communities outreach programs. Map the global available development solutions and link them to the demand expressed by the communities through communities outreach program.

Conceptualize regional and cross-regional special assistance programs and pilot new initiatives that encourage sharing expertise and best practices among partners in Non-member countries. Ensure high quality at entry of all communities outreach programs and capacity development components and projects, as well as partnership building for Muslim communities in non-member countries.

Ensure adequate consideration of cross-cutting issues, such as capacity development, youth empowerment, Islamic finance and social/environmental issues in special assistance interventions. Enhance the global perception of the Ummah by engaging with key international partners.

Position community outreach initiatives as essential tools for empowering Muslim communities to contribute meaningfully to their societies. Establish new collaborative efforts in non-member countries, leveraging knowledge exchange and reverse linkage mechanism to support Muslim communities.

Develop and sustain a diverse network of strategic partners in non-member countries to foster synergy and co-financing opportunities for community outreach programs, in coordination with the Partnership Development Unit.

Promote strong connections between partners in non-member countries and international development organizations for mutual learning and shared benefits that uplift Muslim communities globally.

Policy and Strategy Planning and Input:

Program and Portfolio Management:

Strategic Collaboration for Community Development:

Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination:

Guide, advise, and coach team members in special assistance. Contribute to the transfer of knowledge of communities outreach programs to other employees within IsDB Group and externally to non-member countries to ensure awareness.

Increase stakeholders' awareness of IsDB's initiatives, particularly, and general best practices of special assistance programs. Develop knowledge products, papers and publications on special assistance programs.

Keep abreast of international developments/advancements related to challenges faced by marginalized communities, with emphasis on non-member countries.

Reporting:

Establish a mechanism to collect and analyze data on the mainstreaming of special assistance within the Bank's other operations. Prepare regular internal status reports of all activities of the Division within the IsDB Group, highlighting any concern areas and success stories on special assistance.

Prepare reports for external use to demonstrate and provide required information regarding special assistance projects in non-member countries. Contribute to the establishment of a robust feedback system for capturing information and lessons from various internal and external stakeholders on the operations of the Division.

Academic and professional qualifications

Master's degree in social sciences, community development, Business Administration, International Development or related discipline.

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in community development programs, project and program design, technical cooperation and capacity development, ideally in similar types of multilateral organizations.

Skills & Necessary Knowledge

Strategic Partnerships and Advanced Program Management for Community Development

Advanced Project Management & Design (Highly skilled in designing and managing comprehensive community development programs)

Quantitative & Analytical Skills

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Policy & Strategy Development

Partnership Management & Special Assistance

Planning & Organizing

Advanced Problem-Solving & Results-Oriented

Teamwork & Passion for Excellence

If you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application.