IDB3365 – Senior Halal Development Specialist

Job Purpose:

To support the preparation and implementation of the Center’s strategy in the field of Halal Industry, develop new initiatives, operational plans, work programs, and identify partnership opportunities with key local, regional, and global organizations to deliver impactful initiatives for Malaysia and other the IsDB Member Countries.

To assist the KL CoE efforts to mobilize financial and human resources and strengthen synergies and collaboration with other GPP departments as well as other Bank business units.

Key Accountabilities:

Halal Industry Leadership and Capacity Building:

• Contribute to the development of Halal Initiative Strategies by keeping track of the latest and innovative trends in the field of Halal developments.
• Support in conducting halal sector analysis to identify developmental opportunities for Member Countries.
• Keep track of new Halal-based projects of the Bank and support in the incubation of innovative initiatives in partnership with the relevant IsDB departments, entities and Regional Hubs.
• Assist in managing the full cycle of initiative portfolios; starting from concept development, concept review and appraisal, implementation, monitoring success, lesson learnt, improvements identified and reporting
• Coordinate the facilitation of collaborative initiatives between KLCoE with Malaysian stakeholders as well as Member Countries to develop pioneering Halal industry development solutions.
• Manage the full cycle of Center’s initiative portfolios; starting from concept development, concept review and appraisal, implementation, monitoring success, lesson learnt, improvements identified and reporting.
• Contribute to policy dialogues with the Member Countries for the development of Halal industry.
• Support the development of Halal industry globally and undertake activities required to create an enabling environment.
• Provide capacity building support to relevant partners in Malaysia, other Member Countries and Muslim Communities in Non-member Countries.
• Contribute to the capacity development of SMEs.

Strategic and Operational Planning:

• Lead the development/improvement and implementation of the Center’s mandate and initiatives in Halal industry ecosystem to raise awareness and increase visibility of partnership and interagency coordination work both internally and externally.
• Provide inputs to the development of the annual work plans and budget allocation for the Center.
• Provide expert level inputs in the development of strategic objectives and annual business plan for the Halal Industry Ecosystem pillar of the Center.

Market Research:

• Conduct extensive market research within Halal Industry.
• Develop and execute strategy for discovering and securing new business opportunities either locally, regionally, or globally.
• Develop negotiation strategies by evaluating risks and potentials.
• Lead the development of the knowledge products, reviews, briefs and updates related to halal and the projects undertaken by the Center, independently and in coordination with other departments and entities of IsDB.
• Search for innovative halal solutions and services based on the market and stakeholders’ needs, at multilateral, national, institutional or organizational level.

Partnership Development and Stakeholders Management:

• Explore ways and means to expand and deepen partnerships with the Malaysian organizations, international institutions and intergovernmental organizations, as well as regional and to deliver new delivery channels for developmental activities.
• Build a network of collaborative alliances with public and private entities to tap their technical and financial resources for the achievement of the common objectives in member countries.
• Assist in the preparation and negotiation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between international institutions, intergovernmental organizations, as well as regional and local organizations and NGOs and developmental organizations and companies in MC and non-MCs with close co-ordination with the concerned Departments.
• Manage the relationship with IsDB’s resource mobilization partners, i.e., contributors including coordination of activities to mobilize funds from the resource contributors and also inform and report on the developmental operations undertaken through the deployment of the funds.
• Monitor the implementation of the MoUs signed by the Center and IsDB with international institutions and other strategic partnership arrangements (e.g., Cooperation MoUs, Co-financing Agreements) to ensure mainstreaming into daily operations.
• Develop and disseminate partner intelligence reports and inventory of best practices in the area of partnerships in-order to research and conceptualize latest trends in partnership activities and initiatives.
• Supervise and coordinate the relationships with the external stakeholders such as partners and sponsors to ensure timely and proactive coordination, monitoring and facilitation of the Center.
• Coordinate the organization of events KLCoE participates.

Implementation, Monitoring and Closure of Center’s initiatives:

• Coordinate with respective internal stakeholders for receiving technical assistance in all aspects across the entire project lifecycle.
• Maintain project plans to ensure ongoing monitoring of project progress, proactive identification of issues and implementation of action plans to resolve issues promptly.
• Liaise with the relevant internal stakeholders during the operational cycle of projects to ensure necessary operational policies and procedures are being followed and suggestions for improvements are implemented.
• Review disbursement requests and advise on clearance to ensure timely resolution of procurement and other related issues.
• Contribute to the development of project completion reports, on completion of each project, ensuring that all elements of the project charter have been incorporated in the report.
• Provide inputs to the relevant internal stakeholders ensuring that the problems and issues faced, remedial actions taken, and the lessons learned are well documented for reference in future projects.

Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Economics, Islamic Finance, Economics, Public Policy or in relevant field.
• Any qualification in halal related studies would be an advantage.
• 8 years of experience in Halal industry development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing partnership strategies with diverse stakeholders.
• Master’s degree is highly preferable.

Skills & Necessary Knowledge:

• Advanced Halal Industry Knowledge.
• Strong Quantitative and Analytical Skills.
• Proficiency in professional written communication including drafting concepts, memos, letters, reports, and other documentation related to Halal Industry.
• Advanced Marketing and Public Relations Knowledge.
• Proven track-record in interagency coordination work in a multilateral setting.

Languages:

• English – Mandatory
• Arabic – Preferred
• French – Preferred