Job Opportunity: Senior Fellow, Rihla Initiative
Key Details:
Title: Senior Fellow, Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth
Type: Part-Time Consultancy Contract
Consultancy Period: September 2026 - May 2027 (9 months, with potential extension to 12 months)
Application Deadline: August 10, 2026
Location: Remote, with periodic travel to the Gulf and partner regions
About the Opportunity:
The Bourse & Bazaar Foundation is seeking a part-time Senior Fellow to support the next phase of the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth. The Senior Fellow will play a central role in advancing the Initiative’s work on green industrial policy, Gulf climate finance, and sustainable economic development across the Global South.
The role is tied to Phase 3 of the Rihla Initiative, which focuses on consolidating the ecosystem built during the first two phases and developing practical resources to support Gulf–Global South cooperation. This includes work on the Gulf Green Outward Investment Tracker, Gulf–Global South Green Transition Stakeholder Maps, and the Gulf–Global South Green Industrial Policy Platform.
The Senior Fellow will lead and contribute to research, convening, stakeholder engagement, and policy development focused on how Gulf capital, technology, and expertise can support green industrial development in partner countries. This includes examining the role of sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, state-linked companies, private investors, and national champion firms in shaping green investment strategies across sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen, water, agriculture, infrastructure, and green manufacturing.
The role requires analytical depth, policy judgment, and the ability to work across disciplines. The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to both the intellectual direction and practical development of the Rihla Initiative. They will be encouraged to define their own research agenda within the Initiative’s broader priorities, while supporting the development of tools, frameworks, and outputs that can be used by policymakers, investors, development institutions, and practitioners.
The ideal candidate is an established researcher and communicator with strong knowledge of green industrial policy, climate finance, development economics, investment policy, or Gulf economic strategy. They should be able to produce high-quality written analysis, engage senior stakeholders, and translate complex policy questions into practical outputs.
About the Rihla Initiative:
Launched in 2025, the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth advances cooperation between the Gulf and the Global South on climate finance, sustainable economic development, and green industrial policy. The Initiative brings together policymakers, investors, industry practitioners, researchers, and civil society representatives from the Gulf and four regions across the Global South: the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus, South and Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Across its first two phases, Rihla established a network of approximately 100 experts and practitioners through its Policy Council, Implementation Council, Gulf Committee, regional councils, and thematic focus groups. The Initiative has organized workshops, simulation exercises, public panels, policy forums, and high-level convenings, while producing research and analysis on the role of Gulf capital in supporting green economic growth across the Global South.
Phase 3 of the Initiative will develop practical resources that help stakeholders better understand where Gulf capital is going, how it is deployed, who is involved in implementation, and how investments can better support long-term green economic development outcomes.
Responsibilities:
The Senior Fellow will be engaged as a part-time consultant with flexibility in managing their schedule. The role requires a regular time commitment over the contract period and periodic travel for convenings, consultations, and stakeholder meetings.
Research
Conduct original research on green industrial policy, Gulf climate finance, and Gulf–Global South investment relations.
Produce policy briefs, analytical articles, case studies, and longer-form reports on Gulf-supported green industrial development.
Support the development of the Rihla Initiative’s Phase 3 resources, including the Gulf Green Outward Investment Tracker, the Gulf–Global South Green Transition Stakeholder Maps, and the Gulf–Global South Green Industrial Policy Platform.
Convening
Design and contribute to high-level convenings, expert roundtables, focus group meetings, and public events.
Support the structuring of discussions for the Rihla regional councils and thematic focus groups.
Synthesize discussions into practical insights, policy outputs, and recommendations.
Engagement
Contribute to the Initiative’s research agenda, grant development, partnership strategy, and long-term institutional sustainability.
Represent the Foundation and the Rihla Initiative in conferences, workshops, policy briefings, and stakeholder meetings.
Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions, think tanks, industry actors, civil society organizations, and institutional partners.
Engage with stakeholders in the Gulf and partner regions to understand investment priorities, implementation challenges, and opportunities for cooperation.
Support the Initiative’s partnerships with regional and international institutions.
Work closely with the Rihla team, fellows, coordinators, council members, and institutional partners.
Eligibility:
Applications are open to individuals with a Master’s degree, doctoral degree, or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field, including public policy, economics, political economy, climate finance, development studies, industrial policy, or energy policy.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
Strong experience in policy research and analytical writing
Expertise in green industrial policy, climate finance, development finance, or sustainable economic development
Familiarity with the Gulf states and their investment, economic diversification, or climate strategies
Understanding of Global South development priorities and the political economy of investment
Experience engaging expert, policy, or investment audiences through convenings, briefings, or public speaking
At least seven years of experience in think tanks, research institutions, international organizations, policy environments, development institutions, or relevant roles
Excellent written English
Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset
There are no citizenship restrictions. The position is remote. Candidates based in the Gulf region or with extensive professional experience in the Gulf will enjoy preference.
How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted through August 10, 2026.
Candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, letter of recommendation, and three writing samples. Applicants should submit original materials that reflect their own writing and analysis. Please refrain from using artificial intelligence in preparing your cover letter and application material.
Applications should be addressed to the Rihla Initiative Team and emailed to coordinator [at] bourseandbazaar [dot] org.
Please include the words SENIOR FELLOW – RIHLA – LAST NAME in all caps in the subject line of your email. Applications will be acknowledged when received.
