Lead Climate Change Specialist

Title: Lead Climate Change SpecialistRequisition ID: 5615OverviewBusiness Unit Operations Complex – Global Practices and Partnerships Division Climate Change and Environment Department Resilience & Climate Action Country Saudi Arabia Location IsDB HQ, Jeddah Job Grade E4 Contract Type Fixed Term Closing Date 21-Nov-2025Job PurposeLead the formulation, development and effective implementation of IsDB’s activities and strategies related to climate change adaptation initiatives (projects, knowledge reports, capacity building activities, resource mobilization, partnership building, policy and planning support, etc.) and provide expert level advisory, guidance and tools to the Regional Hubs and Member Countries to assess the technical viability of projects and ensure high quality by applying appropriate quality standards during the project identification, design and appraisal stages. Coordinate the work and review the deliverables of less experienced team members as well as coach, guide and mentor them.Key AccountabilitiesStrategic and Operational Planning: Lead the development of strategic plans, analytics and other products related to climate adaptation within the Climate Change and Environment Division and with other Global Practices in Operations Complex. Take part in project appraisal, design as well as processing and approval process as team member along with relevant regional hub. Lead provision of input on climate change aspects (including climate risk screening, GHG accounting and co-benefits identification). Take part in MCPS formulation with relevant departments at HQ and regional hub. Lead on the Bank’s Paris alignment in relation to climate adaptation and mitigation, i.e. Building blocks 1 and 2 of the joint MDB Paris Alignment framework. Contributing to GPs work on climate change, identifying staff and learning needs and setting competencies and standards for their global, regional and country-specific solution areas. Lead on implementing and building capacity on the Bank GHG Accounting System, as well as involvement of the Bank in supporting its member countries in accessing carbon market mechanisms. Lead in supporting Bank ESG efforts including green finance tracking and reporting, support to Green/Thematic Sukuk issuance through the Bank Sustainable Finance Framework, and sustainable reporting. Lead delivery of selected global engagement products on Climate Adaptation, and when needed, directly lead and participate in country dialogues and deliverables (such as NDC support, NAPs, LTSs, etc.), in addition to capacity building workshops in Member Countries. Lead various Communities of Practice (CoP) in different sectors with regards to climate adaptation or mitigation, which entails providing intellectual leadership on positioning the Global Practice (GP) internally and externally in various sectors in relation to climate adaptation or mitigation.Climate Finance Lead on the operationalization and management of the physical climate risks management system (PCRMS) of the Bank, for various sectors. With support from the division and regional focal points, ensure the implementation of the best practices in terms of climate adaptation and resilience measures in projects in different sectors including on nature-based solutions. In addition, develop additional operational guidance notes, where relevant, for project teams to incorporate appropriate adaptation and resilience measures in their projects. Support the development and implementation of the climate finance target, including adaptation finance, for different GPs and Regional Hubs. With the Global Practice and Task Managers in the Regional Hubs, keep track of the commitment and report to/advise the Bank on the progress in meeting the target and adjustments required in the portfolio. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with other leading works on sustainability and climate change within the IsDB and Academia, MDBs and other key partners, outside IsDB, on relevant research/analysis, events and outreach.Capacity Development Identify, assess, and monitor overall capacity development needs of internal stakeholders in the IsDB Group, the hubs as well as relevant external partners on the subject with the aim to design and administer relevant capacity development interventions. Develop and administer as needed technical assistance (TA) grants and other training programs for capacity development.Strategic Partnership Co-lead on the engagement with international bilateral and multilateral climate finance institutions, such as International Climate Initiative (IKI), Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) and coordinate fundraising for the relevant IsDB climate change projects. In addition, prepare approach papers, reports and statements on rationale and activities to be supported by donor funds.Knowledge Sharing & Innovation Track external issues and processes relevant to the best practices in Climate Adaptation in various sectors. Keep abreast of external developments and provide technical support to management on engagement in key external processes on issues of Climate Change and Sustainability. This includes, but not limited to, IsDB partnership with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), other specialized UN agencies, multilateral development banks, and bilateral finance institutions. Lead and coordinate forums for knowledge generation, exchange and dissemination on issues of sustainability and climate change mitigation across the bank functions (with relevant GPs and Regional Hubs). Lead and coordinate knowledge generation and advisory on climate change mitigation with external stakeholders of relevance to IsDB’s climate action including, but not limited to, Member Country agencies, IFIs, think tanks and consultants.Reporting & Communication Oversee the preparation of progress reports on all project cycle related activities in compliance with the Bank rules and procedures.Academic And Professional Qualifications Minimum Master’s Degree in Climate Change, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Engineering or any related field. Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in implementing large-scale environmental and climate change projects, of which 5 years in development operations and climate advisory services work in a developing country context. At least 6 years of experience in climate change adaptation and resilience including work on climate risk screening tools. Languages: English: Mandatory l Arabic: Preferred l French: PreferredSkills & Necessary Knowledge Experience with climate resilience metrics, and the development of climate adaptation measures. Experience with UNFCCC engagements and negotiations, including Knowledge of carbon market mechanisms. Experience working with IFIs/Development Agencies/Multilateral Development Banks preferred Sound knowledge of international climate negotiations (Conference of the Parties), policy and the current state of best practice among International Finance Institutions and the UN organizations. Sound knowledge of Environment/Climate Finance. Demonstrated ability to lead or contribute to high-level analytical work and policy dialogue in IsDB Member Countries. Planning & organizing / project management skills Problem solvingAbout Application ProcessIf you meet the criteria and you are enthusiastic about the role, we would welcome your application. To complete the application you would need the following document(s):Resume/CVCopy of passportAcademic certificateIf you are currently an IsDB Regular staff applying for this role and get selected through the competitive selection process; your current contract type and other terms and conditions will remain unchanged.The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the IsDB does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The IsDB declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job posts or job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.