Director, Innovative Financing Solutions

Job Profile:

The Director, Innovative Financing Solutions is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight to the Innovative Financing Solutions Unit. The Innovative Financing Solutions Unit is in charge of managing the OPEC Fund’s grant and trust fund resources, as well of developing and implementing innovative financing solutions to enhance the OPEC Fund’s product offerings through blended finance and similar solutions. Director is expected to provide leadership and oversight to the Unit’s activities, including the mobilization of new trust fund and other third-party resources and partnerships, and the development and implementation of initiatives and financing projects using grant and innovative financing solutions, to support OPEC Fund operations and operational priorities. The role will be expected to include the development of new and enhancement and deepening of existing partnerships with external partners, as well as close coordination and cooperation with the Operations and Strategy Departments within the OPEC Fund. Primary objectives include the mobilization of external resources, supporting operational growth, enhancing the OPEC Fund’s product offering and operations quality, 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 objective
• Assesses the progress of implementing innovative financing projects and 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

Management and Oversight

• Oversees the origination, development, implementation and management of innovative financing solutions, including grant and blended finance projects, 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
• Ensures that all outputs of the Innovative Financing Units are of consistently high quality.

Advice 

• Provides advice, recommendations, and suggestions for improving the efficiency and productivity of the Innovative Financing Solutions Unit.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in economics, finance, strategy, business management or a closely related field
• A minimum of at least 15 years in relevant professional experience in the finance sector including at least five (5) years at a managerial level; out of which at least 10 years’ with large international development finance institutions or international organisations, and at least five (5) years of experience developing innovative finance or blended finance solutions for projects in emerging market economies. 
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.

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.
• Ability to Work Under Pressure - The capacity to remain composed, focused and productive when facing tight deadlines, high-stakes situations and demanding workloads.
• 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.
• Customer Centricity  - The ability to focus on comprehending and addressing customer needs; consistently deliver exceptional service and foster strong, lasting customer relationships. 
• 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. 
• Effective Planning and Follow Up - The ability to set clear goals and priorities; skillfully organize tasks for efficiency; consistently follow through on commitments and plans. 
• 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. 

Leadership Competencies:

• Leadership & People Management - The ability to guide and empower team members effectively; cultivate a positive work climate; delegate tasks skillfully and nurture team members' growth. 
• Results Orientation - The ability to set ambitious targets for self and the team; drive progress toward objectives; initiate actions to achieve desired outcome, 
• Creativity, Initiative & Innovation - The ability to nurture novel concepts and inventive approaches; take calculated risks to foster innovation; identify chances for process enhancements and expansion. 
• Trustworthiness, Ethics & Governance -The ability to act with integrity and transparency; safeguard confidentiality; demonstrate ethical decision-making and interactions; to adhere to organizational regulations and ethical benchmarks, foster a culture of compliance and strong governance; ensure team members understand and adhere to protocols. 
• Business Alignment - The ability to align team objectives and undertakings with broader organizational aims; make decisions contributing to the organization's strategic direction.