Global Technical Specialist (Rural Infrastructure and Renewable Energy)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes. It advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD's strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD’s 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 support 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); the (ii) Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI); and the (iii) Research and Impact Assessment Division (RIA).

PMI provides technical support to IFAD Country Programs to ensure the proper application of corporate quality standards required for achieving development results and impact in key thematic areas, including food production systems (i.e. fisheries, livestock, and agronomy), land, natural resources management, water and rural infrastructure, renewable energy, financial services, rural markets and enterprises, ICT4D and rural institutions. It contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD projects and activities. PMI also leads IFAD’s non sovereign private sector investment activities. 

Position specifics: 
The Global Technical Specialist - Rural infrastructure and Renewable Energy works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the Lead Global Technical Specialist for Water and Rural Infrastructure. The incumbentworks collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CDs) and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Job Role  

The Global Technical Specialist serves as IFAD’s technical expert in their area of expertise. The incumbent 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 their technical area of expertise. 
Within their areas of responsibility, the Global 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. The incumbentworks collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Heads of Multi-country Offices (MCO) and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specifics:  
The Global Technical Specialist serves as IFAD’s technical expert in the areas of Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure. The incumbent supports country/regional programs globally by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle,  and contributes to the corporate agenda, knowledge building and dissemination as well as strategy and policy setting. Within the fields of renewable energy and rural infrastructure, the Global Technical Specialist exercises a high degree of independence in providing technical support to the design and implementation of country programme and/or investment projects. 

Key Functions and Results  

1.TECHNICAL ADVICE: On the basis of seasoned technical knowledge and analysis of current thematic conditions, emerging development challenges and the state of rural poverty at the country, regional and global levels, the Technical Specialist provides sound technical advice to improve IFAD’s s capacity to address rural poverty, to support national programmes and to enhance IFAD’s reputation as a trusted and valued partner. Accountabilities may include: 

• Providing technical expertise in the Identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development projects and programmes and monitoring their execution; 
• Participating in country programme management teams (CPMTs) and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD country strategic opportunity papers (COSOPs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; and 
• Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects Review proposals for small and large grants as required.

  2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Technical Specialist enhances the development of viable and sustainable policy and project development at the country-level and supports regional thematic input through seasoned technical knowledge sharing for their area of specialization. The incumbentwill ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen national technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include: 

  • Sharing knowledge and experiences generated through activities such as analytical studies and regional grants with colleagues in the country programme as well as the division; 
  • Conducting relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD within the region concerned and national Institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with peers, counterparts and stakeholders through drafting of of Occasional Papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media (e.g. web resource platforms and social media) and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field; and 
  • Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes. 

    3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION The Technical Specialist establishes and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at the country and regional levels, 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: 

    • Building partnerships with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as potential operational and strategic partners at regional and country levels; 
    • Strengthening IFAD’s representation and communication in technical issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences fora); and 
    • Mobilising new resources for IFAD, in collaboration with the RBMO, through partnerships and outreach activities. 

      4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING The Technical Specialist contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of technical activities and components of programs/projects in order to enhance country level programme and funding decisions based on accurate technical data. 

      5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: 

      • People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under their purview. 
      • Resource Management by providing technical expertise for programme development, and Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring that (1) knowledge content within specialty/ thematic area is continuously updated and available through the intranet, that (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net and that (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.

        Position specifics: 

        📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

        ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

        6 .TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES: The Global Technical Specialist (Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure) provides technically authoritative advice to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in the area of Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure and sustainable production. Accountabilities may include: 

        Providing Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure expertise in the identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development investment projects and programmes and supporting and overseeing their execution; 

      • Participating in country programme, management teams and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD’s country strategic opportunity programmes (COSOPs) and Country Strategic Notes (CSNs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; the position has a global mandate.
      • Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects
      • Review proposals for small and large grants and sponsor or co-sponsor grants in infrastructure and renewable energy applications for rural transformation as required
      • Preparation of project designs, to ensure renewable energy options are considered and used.
      • Organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities related to   infrastructure and renewable energy  
      • Promote inclusion of renewable energy technologies in ongoing projects, promotion of public-private-partnerships and innovative financing and management models in renewable energy

        7. RENEWABLE ENERGY & RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE: The Global Technical Specialist – Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure leads IFAD’s work and performs the above listed activities in the area of renewable energy & rural infrastructure, with specific emphasis on providing targeted technical advice and support to selected country programmes across the globe; developing knowledge and technical capacities of IFAD’s partners; providing technical guidance throughout IFAD’s project cycle; Strengthening the technical capacities to deliver quality results and impacts from IFAD’s programmes; Supporting country-level renewable energy & rural infrastructure policies, institutions and enabling frameworks and in the mainstreaming of climate, nutrition, gender and youth; Strengthening IFAD’s participation and visibility in global policy processes and networks relating to sustainable, profitable and climate resilient infrastructure. 
        Through participation as Project Technical Lead (PTL) and member of Project Delivery Teams, the incumbentprovides state of art highly specialized technical advice in the area of renewable energy & rural infrastructure to deliver strong project design and development results during implementation, and assists in resolving technical challenges. She/he acts also as IFAD’s leading renewable energy authority in regional and global debates and events, policy fora and policy dialogue, knowledge generation, and partnership building and networking-all related to renewable energy. The incumbentprovides technical leadership and advice in renewable energy as part of rural development approaches for the preparation of country project, programmes, country strategies and country strategic notes. The incumbentprovides concrete guidance and actions to improve project delivery and achievement of impacts. The Global Technical Specialist-Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure supervises other professional staff in this thematic area, general service staff assigned to him/her, as well as consultants hired to deliver specific activities and/or outputs. The incumbentis responsible for providing them with technical leadership/capacity development, coaching and mentoring, as well a review and evaluation of their performance on a regular basis. The incumbentis also involved in the recruitment process of the team. 

        Key Performance Indicators  

        Assignments require the provision of seasoned technical expertise and input for the full programme/project cycle as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to project methodology and design of projects, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a technical specialist at the country or regional levels, the Technical Specialist’s work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

        Position specifics: The The Global Technical Specialist (Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure) is responsible for the technical quality of IFAD’s key outputs and deliverables for renewable energy, and guides the organization’s policy, partnerships, and knowledge management on this topic. The incumbentleads IFAD’s strategies/policies, tools, guidelines and databases/evidence on renewable energy. Particular key performance indicators are linked to: Improved internal understanding of renewable energy applications; improved knowledge and technical capacities of IFAD’s targets groups to increase benefits from productive uses of renewable energy and climate resilient infrastructure technologies; increase in development and uptake of pro-poor technologies and cutting edge technical innovations in renewable energy and climate resilient infrastructure space; Improved performance of IFAD’s  supported programmes through the introduction of renewable energy technologies and climate resilient infrastructure; Increase IFAD’s visibility in global policy processes and networks relating to renewable energy; High quality management of  programmes, grants and supplementary resources; Supporting the mainstreaming of climate, nutrition, gender and youth into IFAD’s programmes; collaborating with other experts in PMI to identify and support the development of appropriate instruments and technologies related to rural transformation, including, ICT4D applications, partnerships with private scetor and non-sovereign private sector operations; etc.; and use IFAD’s technical guidelines and related technical tools to support design and implementation of projects  

        Working Relationships  

        The work relationships of Technical Specialists at this level are primarily for the exchange of information regarding development projects. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information on national and sub-regional; conditions and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.

        Position specifics: The Global Technical Specialist (Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure) works directly with IFAD’s country teams (Coutry Directors, Country Programme Officers, regional economists, portfolio advisors, etc. ), other technical experts from PMI, ECG, and RIA, as well as other specialists, to lead and deliver IFAD’s programme of loans and grants, non sovereign private sector operations, reimbursable technical assistance, as well as policies/strategies, studies, guiding notes, toolkits, stocktakes, etc., related to Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure. The incumbentalso develops working relationships and networks with other IFIs, bilateral agencies, UN organizations, private sector, NGOs, research/academia, and other development partners working in the field of Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure. The incumbentleads and maintains these working relationships as IFAD’s main representative and leading authority in the area of Renewable Energy, and is expected to work at the highest level of representation with government and non-government officials. The incumbentwould also guide his/her team in building these working relationships with internal and external partners.   

        Job Profile Requirements  

        Organizational Competencies:

        Level 1:

      • Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
      • Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
      • Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
      • Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
      • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
      • Managing performance and developing staff -
      • Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
      • Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
      • Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
      • Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

        Education:

      • Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution.
      • Area – Renewable energy and/or Agriculture engineering, Rural or Civil Engineering, Mechanical/electrical Engineering or related fields.
      • Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .

        Experience:

      • At least eight (5) years of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing  development initiatives and investment projects in the field of Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure and sustainable production that are relevant to IFAD’s mandate.  
      • Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scale.
      • Position-specific experience:  Proven track record of field-based experience in designing and implementing Renewable Energy & Rural Infrastructure projects in the context of rural development initiatives.nProven technical expertise and field experience in the area of renewable energy, with focus on the following themes: Strong technical experience in RETs applied in agriculture and rural development sector, proven experience analyzing best practices and developing case studies and training, authoritative technical expertise at the country and global level in area of specialization, skill in the design and coordination of technical research and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues, ability to translate, share and communicate technical guidance/knowledge at the governmental and peer levels as well as to inspire more junior specialists and programme staff in the development of viable programme activities.Demonstrated ability to work with multiple teams and projects, to engage in high level discussions and to provide verbal and written technical input and recommendations in a succinct and clear manner is required. Experience in quality agronomic monitoring, innovative extension systems, including use of ICT and public-private partnerships is an asset; 

        Languages:

      • Required English (4 – Excellent) and French/or Spanish (3 – Good)  
      • Desirable: Arabic 
      • Position-specific requirement: Ability to travel up to 50 percent of the time and to be mobile as part of IFADs mobility framework

        Skills: