Call for Interest for Temporary Assignment - Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D), RIA - Re-Advertisement

This Call for Interest is for a Temporary Professional Officer (TPO) for the duration of 12 month position, which is a short-term contract. The appointment of a short-term staff member carries no expectation of continuous employment or conversion to any other type of appointment with IFAD.

The Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD's strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness by generating and disseminating IFAD’s development knowledge and evidence on strategic themes, and encouraging innovative application of cutting-edge global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments to help countries tackle their most complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. SKD is composed of the: (i) Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG); (ii) Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI); and (iii) Research and Impact Assessment Division (RIA).

Within SKD, RIA is the research, data, knowledge and evidence generation arm of IFAD. By systematically assessing the impact of IFAD investments and through research, RIA produces evidence and knowledge to support the design of new projects/programs, and to inform advice and strategies aimed at achieving low emission climate resilient rural development and food system transformations. It also focuses on strengthening IFAD's capacity to influence dialogue on rural development globally by systematically assessing the impact of IFAD investments and through analysing the context in which IFAD operates. Working with partners inside and outside IFAD, RIA conducts research on relevant themes, such as agricultural and rural transformation, economic mobility and social inclusion, climate and environment and resilience.  It also supports innovative agricultural research topics through the Agriculture Research for
Development (AR4D) financing window.
 
RIA provides advice and support services throughout the data cycle to:

The Senior Technical Specialist works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Director, RIA and under the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Specialist 

Job Role  

The Senior Technical Specialist serves as IFAD’s technical expert in his/her area of expertise. S/he supports country/regional programs by providing state-of-the-art global technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational), as well as contributes to the corporate agenda, in his/her technical area of expertise. 
Within his/her areas of responsibility, the Senior Technical Specialist exercises a high degree of independence in providing reliable programme delivery. The incumbent at this level performs the full complexity range of work independently, including the analysis and approval of complex and/or precedent setting cases with the aim to ensure cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support. S/he works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Heads of Multi-country Offices (MCO) and other staff to ensure consistency.

The Senior Technical Specialist is an expert and knowledge builder in her/his thematic specialization. S/he provides technical expertise and guidance on generating and using new ideas to enrich the knowledge base that supports the Fund's policy agenda. With corporate, rather than country or regional specific focus, s/he provides substantive contribution to understanding future trends in rural development strengthening IFAD's strategic planning perspective and pro-actively fostering innovative and effective solutions to rural poverty within country programmes, IFAD policy, member governments, the academic community, and public opinion in the international development community. Work at this level is characterized by technical leadership in field of specialization in collaboration with professional and support staff of a unit or by the provision of authoritative technical advice. S/he works collaboratively with SKD technical specialists (both in PMI and ECG) to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support facilitating knowledge flows and building of communities of practices. 

Position specifics: 
The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D) is responsible for management of AR4D Grants portfolio (currently worth USD 70m). Specifically this role provides the oversight and coordination of all aspects of AR4D delivery including: (i) development of AR4D grants management strategy; (ii) working  closely with the AR4D team, PMI/ECG/PMD/FCD to review lessons from the overall AR4D programme and incorporate lessons learned as appropriate in setting progressive priorities and in new operations; (iii) provide operational leadership to IFAD in the development of AR4D grant operations;  and (iv) play a key role in the design of future AR4D programmes and ensuring that all activities are executed to a high standard, on time and on budget. This role also represents SKD and IFAD with external audiences and positions the Fund in relation potential AR4D grant opportunities. 

Under the supervision of the Director of RIA, the Senior Technical Specialist(AR4D)will work closely with ECG, PMI and other IFAD departments (PMD, GPR) to support resource mobilization opportunities for AR4D. In addition, s/he  works closely with FCD/FMD/LEG in management of AR4D supplementary funds mobilized for AR4D initiatives to ensure prudent utilization of funds disbursed to grant recipients. 
 

Key Functions and Results  

1. SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE: The Senior Technical Specialist provides technically authoritative advice to improve the IFAD’s capacity to position itself as an influential global player in these domains, and to improve related national government policies and programmes, ensuring IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to: (a) providing IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date professional advice on policy, institutional and technical issues; (b) contributing to ensuring that IFAD senior management is regularly and adequately briefed to engage effectively in high-level fora with policy implications for rural transformation; and (c) providing senior-level technical expertise to the preparation of knowledge products aimed at advancing IFAD’s voice in the global debate on rural transformation, in close collaboration within SKD and other IFAD departments.

2. KNOWLEDGE AND ADVISORY SERVICES: The Senior Technical Specialist enhances the development of viable and sustainable policies, and supports regional and global thematic input, through authoritative technical knowledge sharing for her/his area of specialization. S/he will ensure access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthening of technical capacity, and establishment of new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to: (i) supporting intelligence gathering and analysis of debates relevant to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation in the global debate and facilitating knowledge sharing and experiences in this area within SKD, IFAD and among other stakeholders in the global arena; (ii) supporting the coordination of relevant knowledge development and dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned with external partners and stakeholders (including regional and national institutions) through seminars, workshops and the publication of Occasional Papers, journal articles, and electronic media, as well as the development of new knowledge products and operational tools informed by learning from the field; (iii) participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to country/divisional strategies and programmes; and (iv) planning and leading learning events to strengthen IFAD’s knowledge and capacity to engage in global debates with policy implications for rural transformation.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: The Senior Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships that can help advance IFAD’s mandate and messages around rural transformation in the global debate. S/he develops peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at country and regional levels, support joint advocacy, and share knowledge to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Accountabilities may include: (a) building strategic partnerships with centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations, and specialized departments of other development institutions (including United Nations agencies, International Financial Institutions, bilateral cooperation agencies, non-governmental organizations, etc.); (b) strengthening IFAD’s representation and communication in policy processes, including representing IFAD at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences; and (c) developing and cultivating alliances in key global policy fora to strengthen IFAD's influence over time, with a strategic focus on specific themes.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes, among others, people management through support to recruitment of technical specialists and technical leadership/capacity development, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, supervisory role and evaluation of performance of professionals and general service staff under his/her purview.

5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Senior Technical Specialist supports the Director/Lead Technical Specialists in knowledge management and other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance country level programme and funding decisions

6. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D) accountabilities may include:

7. STAFF MANAGEMENT The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D) accountabilities may include:

8. PARNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION

The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D) develops and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on AR4D, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund's profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. 
Accountabilities may include:

9. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D)  enhances the development of viable and sustainable policy and project development at the country-level and supports regional and global thematic programmes. S/He will ensure country-level specialists access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen national/partners capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include:

10. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING 

The Senior Technical Specialist (AR4D) supports the Director and RIA in knowledge management and other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance IFAD programme and funding decisions as well improved results and impact monitoring.
 
Accountabilities may include:

Key Performance Indicators  

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the field of specialization. The impact of work by the incumbent directly affects the overall country programme and contributes to regional and corporate policy and strategy. Senior Technical Specialists design and contribute to the delivery of a country programme. The impact on the overall IFAD country and regional programmes is significant in projecting the Fund’s role/capacity as a reliable, viable partner in development. Work is intricate in that it requires consideration of a wide range of technical factors and related data, and national policies relevant for the economic policy concerns of the international organization. Senior Technical Specialists also monitor and guide the work of external consultants and participate as experts in field missions and intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. Senior Technical Specialists thus exercise independence and initiative in assessing needs and advising governments when on field mission. Decisions are made on the research or analytical strategies to be followed in resolving problems of concern in the technical area. Established methods and procedures are adapted as necessary in order to achieve desired results.

Position specifics: Assignments require the provision of professional expertise and technical experience at the global, regional and national levels. Senior Technical Specialists support the development of programmes or policies for the Fund and represent the position of IFAD in national, regional as well as global fora and conferences. Innovation is required in the adaptation and development of approaches and methods to evolving technical and programmatic contexts. Work at this level is considered as substantially complex and of critical concern to the Fund. In particular, analytical and advisory work requires in depth identification and consideration of a full range of factors relevant to the examination and discussion of programme problems and policies in the solution of methodological problems or in the formulation of policy proposals and project recommendations.
The Senior Technical Specialist contribute to AR4D resource mobilization and the design and delivery of programmes.  The impact on the overall IFAD country and regional programmes is significant in projecting the Fund’s role/capacity as a   reliable, viable partner in development.  Senior Technical Specialists also monitor and guide the work of external consultants and participate as experts in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Working Relationships  

The work relationships of the Senior Technical Specialist involve providing technical advice, and negotiating and resolving problems that arise in technical project design and appraisal, supervision/implementation support and in preparing studies and reports. S/he serves as an expert in rural infrastructure and renewable energy and works with full technical independence in providing technical expertise and methodological guidance at the country level, as well as regionally, as required. Contacts are with counterparts and senior officials within other United Nations organizations having related programmes, and with officials of governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, research institutes and academia. At intergovernmental bodies, expert groups and other meetings, the Senior Technical Specialist (Research) provides technical expertise and recommendations for policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and specialist capacity; s/he may also provide information regarding the organization's policies, and act as the representative of the organization, maintaining contacts to identify and evaluate emerging developments.

Position specifics: In participating in CGIAR and other related intergovernmental bodies, expert groups and other meetings, the Senior Technical Specialist provides technical expertise and recommendations for policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and advisory capacity; 

Job Profile Requirements  

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2: