Special Envoy to Middle East and Arab Funds - Co-Terminus 3 Years

Position details

• Job ID: 38534
• Organizational unit: Office of President & VP
• Grade: D-1
• Appointment: Regular
• Schedule: Full-Time
• Assignment duration: 2 Years
• Application deadline: 11/02/2026 (Rome time)

Organizational Setting

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The External Relations Department (ERD) leads IFADs external engagement through public and political advocacy, global policy engagement, partnership building, resource mobilization and strategic communications. ERD also leads IFADs Replenishment, which is the process through which IFAD mobilizes core funding from Member States and agrees on priorities and targets for the Funds work during each three-year replenishment period. ERD is led by an Associate Vice President and is comprised of two divisions: Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Communications Division (COM) and one initiative: The Food Systems Coordination (FSC).

The Special Envoy to the Middle East and Arab Funds position is located in the External Relations Department (ERD) and reports to the AVP ERD, with a dotted line to the President, and works in close coordination with the Office of The President and Vice-President (OPV). 

Job Role

The Special Envoy serves as a senior strategic adviser to the President on the Fund"s engagement in the Middle East. The position provides high-level strategic and diplomatic leadership to deepen IFAD's engagement with Gulf and Middle East Member States, regional institutions, sovereign and development finance partners, philanthropic foundations and other influential stakeholders. Working under the direct authority of the President, and in close coordination with OPV, ERD and relevant technical and regional divisions, the Special Envoy advances IFAD"s mandate by building trusted relationships, identifying opportunities for resource mobilization and co-financing, and positioning IFAD as a strategic partner for food security, rural transformation, climate resilience and stability. The position ensures that the President is fully informed of political, institutional and financing developments in the region that may affect IFAD"s strategic priorities, partnerships and resource base.

Key Functions and Results

1.    STRATEGIC ADVISORY ROLE: The Special Envoy provides strategic direction in the development and interpretation of major policies, regulations and rules, and systems that govern agreed goals and objectives within the Middle East and Arab funds scope. Directors also serve as trusted business/programme advisors with a significant role in authoritative policy advice within the Fund at the management level as well as in policy dialogue in their representational activities. 
 

2.    REPRESENTATION AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS: Directors serve as designated representatives of the Fund. They catalyse effective partnerships with a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, international financial institutions (IFls), non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. Directors represent the Fund in official United Nations committees and networks, and in IFls, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and Global conferences upon request of the President, and build organizational networks with peers in major private, public and international institutions. 
 

3. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES: Directors are responsible for ensuring the transparent, equitable, and efficient management of IFAD's resources, including human, financial, and material resources. This includes managing staff through workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and career development. Directors are also responsible for managing allocated budget, ensuring accountability and fiduciary integrity. Additionally, they are responsible for managing material resources and promoting knowledge and content management to achieve innovative outcomes and cost-effective processes. Directors also leverage information technology to improve business results, reporting processes, and client services. 

In particular, the Special Envoy for the Middle East plays a critical advisory role in shaping and advancing IFAD¿s strategic engagement with Gulf and Middle East partners, with a view to strengthening political support, expanding financial contributions, mobilizing co-financing and deepening partnerships that advance IFAD¿s mandate. This includes but is not limited to:

1. Develop and lead in coordination with ERD and OPV a coherent engagement strategy for Gulf and Middle East Member States and partners, aligned with IFAD¿s corporate priorities and replenishment objectives, to support the resource mobilization strategy and programme of work;
2. Cultivate and maintain trusted relationships with senior government interlocutors, ministries of finance and foreign affairs, development funds, sovereign and investment institutions, regional organizations, philanthropic foundations and other strategic actors in the Middle East;
3. Co -Lead with ERD and OPV, high-level diplomatic engagement, dialogue and negotiations aimed at supporting the increase of financial contributions to IFAD, including replenishment pledges, supplementary contributions, concessional partner loans, co-financing arrangements and other forms of partnership financing;
4. Support the positioning of IFAD¿s value proposition with Middle East partners by articulating the Fund¿s impact on rural poverty reduction, food security, climate adaptation, youth employment, resilience and regional stability, and by identifying areas of mutual strategic interest;
5. Serve as IFAD's senior focal point and interlocutor with selected Middle East stakeholders, representing the Fund in high-level engagements as delegated by the President, and ensuring that engagement is politically astute, consistent, coordinated and responsive to evolving regional dynamics;
6. Brief and Advise the President, and senior management on political, institutional and financing developments in the Middle East, recommending engagement options, risk mitigation measures and opportunities for strategic partnership;
7. Coordinate closely with OPV, ERD, regional divisions, technical teams and country offices to ensure that engagement with Middle East partners is supported by high-quality policy, programme, financial and communication materials;
8. Identify and pursue opportunities for strategic collaboration and cofinancing opportunities between IFAD and Middle East partners in areas such as climate resilience, water-efficient agriculture, food systems transformation, fragile contexts, South-South and triangular cooperation, innovation and private sector engagement
9. Represent IFAD and OPV in high-level meetings, missions, conferences and consultations involving Middle East stakeholders, including events related to replenishment, resource mobilization, food security, development finance and rural transformation, in coordination with ERD and OPV;
10. Ensure systematic follow-up on commitments, pledges, partnership opportunities and engagement plans with Middle East partners, maintaining an overview of progress, risks, next steps and strategic priorities for the President, in coordination with ERD and OPV.

Key Performance Indicators

Directors establish IFAD's priorities and provide leadership to programmes and operational management activities, ensuring a results-based approach to meeting assigned goals and objectives. Leadership activities include the optimal utilization of human, financial, technology, and material resources for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Specifically, the Special Envoy is accountable for IFAD¿s engagement with Middle East, GCC and Arab Fund partners. Success in the role is reflected in strengthened political and institutional relationships with Gulf and Middle East partners; increased visibility of IFAD¿s mandate and value proposition; concrete progress in resource mobilization, replenishment pledges, co-financing and partnership opportunities; timely and politically sound advice to the President and senior management; and effective coordination across OPV, ERD and relevant technical and regional teams. The role contributes to the expansion and diversification of IFAD¿s resource base and to the positioning of IFAD as a trusted partner for rural transformation, food security, climate resilience and stability.

Working Relationships

Directors are responsible for building and maintaining strong working relationships both within and outside of IFAD. Internally, Directors provide strategic advice to senior management and collaborate with other divisions to ensure effective coordination of programme planning and activities. Externally, Directors develop strategic partnerships with a range of institutions, including borrowers, development agencies, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations, for the purpose of programme cooperation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and resource mobilization. Directors also represents IFAD in official committees, meetings, and conferences, and build organizational networks with peers in major private, public, and international financial institutions. 

Internally, the Special Envoy for the Middle East works in close coordination with OPV, ERD, DCO, technical teams, legal and financial functions, and relevant country and liaison offices to ensure a coherent institutional approach to engagement with Gulf and Middle East partners. Externally, s/he maintains high-level relationships with government authorities, development funds, sovereign and investment institutions, regional organizations, private sector actors, philanthropic foundations and other partners whose support can advance IFAD¿s mandate. S/he provides strategic and intellectual leadership to the President on sensitive and confidential matters affecting IFAD¿s relations with Middle East partners and ensures that engagement is coordinated, politically informed and oriented towards concrete institutional results. The Special Envoy delivers institutional results through influence rather than direct authority and working as part of multidisciplinary teams.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) Areas - Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, International Law, International Development, Middle East Studies or any other relevant field from an accredited institution.
• A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive senior-level diplomatic experience is highly desirable.
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.ph

(*) Note:  For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD¿s Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

•  At least fifteen (15) years of progressively senior leadership experience in an international financial institution or multilateral organisation and/ or government entity, with a demonstrated track record of providing strategic leadership, advising senior decision-makers, building high-level partnerships, managing sensitive external relationships, mobilizing political support, and engaging effectively with senior government officials, heads of international organizations, and other senior stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated experience of not less than ten (10) years working directly on or with Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at senior levels, including engagement with Ministries, sovereign and development finance institutions, regional organizations and senior political leadership.
• Demonstrated track record of leading and concluding high-value resource mobilization, replenishment, partnership financing, co-financing, sovereign financing, or strategic fundraising initiatives within a multilateral, international financial institution, government, or regional development context.
• Proven experience in international affairs, diplomacy, in integrating political, financial, operational and partnership work streams and fostering collaboration across diverse institutions, and shaping policy dialogue.  
• Demonstrated experience and ability to lead and manage multicultural teams, preferably in an international financial institution, through a combination of corporate and field-based experience; and capacity for managing development and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated understanding of the political, institutional and financing landscape of the region and extensive experience and ability to leverage an existing regional network through high-level diplomatic engagements, partnership building and resource mobilization with governments, development finance institutions, regional organizations, investment institutions, foundations and other strategic partners in the Middle East. Candidates must demonstrate an established network of senior-level relationships across governments, development funds, regional institutions, sovereign investment entities, and strategic partners in the Middle East and GCC region.
   

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish

Skills:

• Budgeting, resource management: Know-how in budget administration and accounting, resource allocation and planning at divisional level
• Advocacy:  Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`¿s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• Resource mobilization and partnership financing support: Ability to identify, cultivate and convert strategic relationships into financial contributions, co-financing opportunities, concessional partner loans, special contributions and other partnership arrangements that support IFAD¿s mandate. within the agreed scope.
• Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.)
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.
• Planning: Know-how in the planning of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner, advocating and promoting IFAD's mandate and vision; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.
• Corporate approach: Ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one's area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities)
• Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all.
• Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management

Other Information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

In accordance with IFAD¿s provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD¿s remuneration package, please visit IFAD¿s compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements. See here.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its IFAD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and IFAD policy to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse .

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org