The OPEC Fund for International Development, widely known as the OPEC Fund, is
an international development finance institution created by member states of OPEC to strengthen cooperation and support sustainable growth in developing countries. Since its establishment in 1976, the organisation has financed projects in areas such as energy, infrastructure, health, education, water, agriculture, and public sector development.
With headquarters in Vienna and operations spanning more than 120 developing nations, the OPEC Fund focuses on reducing poverty and promoting inclusive development. The institution supports governments, private-sector initiatives, and community-based programs through loans, grants, technical assistance, and capacity-building efforts.
As part of its mandate, the OPEC Fund regularly recruits skilled professionals, young graduates, and interns who want to contribute to global development.
Current Career Opportunities at OPEC Fund
Paralegal
Department/Unit: Legal Services / Private Sector – Legal
Duties and Responsibilities
- Drafts legal instruments (including loan and grant agreements or equivalent), as well as amendments to legal instruments
- Conducts legal research on a diverse range of policy and legal issues using varied research sources
- Presents findings/recommendations on policy issues and procedures; prepares background papers, written records of proceedings, memoranda summarizing documents, other legal source material, or equivalent
- Assists in drafting and reviewing draft documents, highlighting issues, inconsistencies, etc.
- Responds to inquiries ranging in complexity and takes decisions, subject to approved authority, with the guidance of Legal Counsels
Participates in task/project teams as assigned required - Serves as the project assistant for projects under the management of the private sector legal team
- Organizes project and departmental documents and records in accordance with appropriate standards and files in the appropriate document management system
- Works with external stakeholders (authorized legal officials of partner countries/institutions) and internal stakeholders (e.g. all OPEC Fund departments/units) on the subject of legal services and advice on an ongoing basis
Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in law or; Bachelor’s degree in law with an additional two years of experience
- A minimum of two (2) years relevant professional experience, with a (Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with a Bachelor’s degree)
- A minimum of one (1) year at an international development finance institution is highly desirable
- Experience in human resources management, with a focus on employee relations is an added advantage
- 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.
- 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.
- Decision making – The ability to analyse information comprehensively to make well-informed decisions; assess both immediate and long-term ramifications.
- Sense of Responsibility – The ability to demonstrate ownership and accountability in tasks and outcomes; uphold reliability and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities.
Head, HR Business Partnering and Talent Intelligence
Department/Unit: Corporate Services / Human Resources Unit
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides expert guidance and advice on a wide range of HR operational matters
- Advises on the development and design of job descriptions to ensure alignment with organizational needs and oversees the job evaluation process
- Workforce Planning: Leads the analysis of business needs and labor market trends, collaborating with departments to determine staffing requirements and selection criteria
- Succession Planning: Develops and implements succession plans to ensure leadership continuity and address future talent needs
- Develops and executes a comprehensive L&D strategy aligned with organizational goals to ensure continuous employee development, focusing on skills enhancement, leadership growth, and performance improvement
- Collaborates with senior leadership to identify organizational skills gaps and future talent needs, designing targeted development programs to address these requirements
- Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring clear communication and alignment
- Fosters relationships with stakeholders and strategic partners, to enhance the talent pipeline, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Leverages these relationships to strengthen employer branding, ensuring the organization attracts a broad, globally diverse talent pool
Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or a related field.
- A minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience in institutional, management, and human resource processes, of which five (5) years should have been from an international development institution. Experience in a multilateral development bank is an asset.
- Relevant professional certifications such as SHRM-SCP, CIPD, or PHR/SPHR and/or conflict resolution training is desirable.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement, including partnerships with member countries, external partners, and internal stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience in talent acquisition, workforce planning, HR strategy development, and organizational development
- Proven track record in managing HR technology tools and leveraging data analytics for decision-making
- Experience with SAP SuccessFactors is an added advantage
- Significant experience working in HR business operations in large, complex organizations, preferably in multilateral development banks, international organizations, or similar settings is highly desirable
- Experience in diversity and inclusion initiatives, particularly in an international and multicultural environment is highly desirable
- Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.
Competencies
- Communication – The ability to relay ideas, information and messages effectively and succinctly to a variety of audiences.
- 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.
- Sense of Responsibility – The ability to demonstrate ownership and accountability in tasks and outcomes; uphold reliability and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities
Director of Information Technology
Department/Unit: Corporate Services Department / Information Technology Unit
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the OPEC Fund’s Information Technology and digital strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and business priorities.
- Lead the organization’s digital transformation journey, positioning the OPEC Fund as a Smart institution through innovative, scalable, and secure technology solutions
- Lead the planning, design, configuration, and deployment of systems and business solutions that support core organisational functions and processes.
- Oversee the full Solution Development Life Cycle (SDLC), from requirements gathering and architecture design through development, testing, and deployment
- Establish, develop, and regularly update IT policies and procedures to ensure alignment with institutional objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate the implementation of IT policies to achieve effective, timely, and secure outcomes across the organisation.
- Ensure the continuity of OPEC Fund operations through the development and maintenance of systems that support emergency and disaster recovery scenarios.
- Collaborate with the Head of IT Security to define and execute the OPEC Fund’s information security strategy and related programs
Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in Computer Programming or other IT-related fields
- A minimum of 15 years relevant professional experience, of which 7 years should have been in a management level
- Preferably a minimum of five years at an international development institution
- Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.
Competencies
- Inclusive Leadership & People Management – Demonstrates the ability to lead and manage diverse teams effectively, fostering an inclusive culture where all team members feel valued, empowered, and engaged. Promotes collaboration, drives team performance, and supports professional growth through mentorship and equitable opportunities.
- Strategic Planning & Execution – Exhibits strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities, aligning initiatives with the OPEC Fund’s long-term goals. Utilizes planning tools to set clear objectives, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor progress to ensure successful delivery of strategic priorities and sustainable growth.
How to Apply for OPEC Fund Jobs
Visit the OPEC Fund Career Portal
All applications are submitted online through their official career portal. You must create an account to begin.Choose the Position You Want to Apply For
Review the job requirements carefully—education, experience, language skills, and sometimes nationality preferences.Prepare Your Application Documents
- Submit Before the Deadline
Pro Tips
Most applicants meet the qualifications. What sets successful candidates apart is how they position themselves.
1. Show You Understand Development Realities
OPEC Fund deals with real-world development challenges: energy access, water scarcity, transport gaps, and economic inclusion. Refer to specific trends or challenges in your field. Show that you think beyond classroom theory.
2. Align Your Motivation with Their Mission
Explain why you care about sustainable development. Connect your experience, small or big to real impact.
The OPEC Fund for International Development offers rare opportunities for professionals and young graduates who want to build a meaningful, globally relevant career. If you’re serious about pursuing a career in international development, keep an eye on the OPEC Fund careers page for new vacancies.
A single posting could be the opening that changes your career trajectory.
