Special Envoy to Middle East and Arab Funds

About this opportunity

This position is based in Rome, Italy. 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. Minimum Requirements: 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 listed on https://www.whed.net/home.ph. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive senior-level diplomatic experience is highly desirable. 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. Fluency in English and Arabic (4 - Excellent), desirable to have French and 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. 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) How to Apply for this job at IFAD: 1⃣ Visit our careers portal: https://job.ifad.org 2⃣ Search by Vacancy ID (enter only the number: 38534) or Job Title Special Envoy to Middle East and Arab Funds - Co-Terminus 3 Years 3⃣ Click the arrow () to view full job details 4⃣ Select Apply to begin your application Deadline to apply: 2 November 2026 23.59 CET