Lead Global Technical Specialist (ICT4D)

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, and advocates at local, national and international levels 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 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).

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, financial services, rural markets and enterprises and rural institutions. It contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD funded projects and activities.

The Lead Global Technical Specialist ICT4D works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the division Director.

Job Role  

The Lead Technical Specialist, technically supports country/regional programmes as well as the corporate agenda by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational) on issues related to Rural Institutions. Within her/his areas of responsibility, the Lead 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 analysis and approval of complex and/or precedent-setting cases, with the aim of ensuring cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specific: The Lead Global Technical Specialist ICT4D acts as the global anchor in this discipline, leading in information and communication technologies for development with strong experience in implementing ICT solutions in the area of agriculture, markets/value chains, rural finance and agritech. The incumbent manages key programs and initiatives related to ICT4D, 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 the technical area of ICT4D. The incumbent works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists covering other areas in PMI, 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. The Lead Global Technical Specialist- ICT4D also represents IFAD at the global level within thier area of expertise (ICT4D), and ensures knowledge flows among the regionally-mapped technical staff within thier area of expertise.

Key Functions and Results  

1. POLICY AND STRATEGY ADVICE AND DEVELOPMENT: The Lead Technical Specialist, provides technically authoritative advice informed by empirical evidence to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in agricultural and rural development with particular emphasis on social inclusion themes. S/he ensures that IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner of national governments and farmers’ organizations in policy dialogues and fora. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Providing IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date, evidence-based advice on relevant investment and policy interventions related to  Youth and Social Inclusion, development, strengthening and empowerment to promote inclusive and sustainable food system transformation, value chain development, collaboration with the private sector, and rural market creation and development, among others;
(b) Providing evidence-informed recommendations to IFAD management on IFAD's rural development agenda using a wide range of data sources and analytical tools;
(c) Providing substantive support to IFAD senior management participation in high-level fora with policy implications for Youth and Social Inclusion and rural transformation, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documents and presentations;
(d) Leading the preparation of technical products (e.g. complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies) to advance IFAD’s voice in the global debate on rural transformation, social inclusion, youth empowerment, and strengthening of their role in promoting inclusive and sustainable food system transformation, greater and better collaboration with the private sector, and rural market creation and development, among others, in close collaboration within PMD and other SKD divisions.
(e) Assist the ESG Director in coordinating the activities of the division’s Social Inclusion cluster to ensure delivery of IFAD’s mainstreaming topics related to gender, nutrition, indigenous peoples, peoples with disabilities, and youth.

2. KNOWLEDGE ADVISORY LEADERSHIP: The Lead Technical Specialist, leads and contributes to 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 (Youth and Social Inclusion). S/he ensures access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthens technical capacity, and establishes new knowledge and advisory partnerships on how rural institutions should be leveraged, empowered and strengthened to promote change in the rural economies and food systems in which they operate, as well as strengthens partnerships with the private sector. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Leading processes related to intelligence gathering and analysis of debates relevant to Youth and Social Inclusion, inclusive and sustainable rural transformation in the global debate, and facilitating knowledge sharing and experiences in this area within SKD, IFAD, and other stakeholders in the global arena;
(b) Coordinating relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside IFAD, within the region concerned, and national institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with external partners and stakeholders through publication of Occasional Papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media, and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field;
(c) Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operational approaches of relevance to country/divisional strategies and programmes;
(d) 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 Lead Technical Specialist, develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships to help advance IFAD's mandate and messages around inclusive and sustainable rural transformation in the global debate. S/he develops peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to develop new products and services, 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 reliable partner in development. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to: 
(a) Building partnerships with farmers’, producers’, and youth’ organizations, centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations, and specialized departments of other development agencies as strategic partner;
(b) Promoting greater partnerships between farmers’, producers’, and youth’ organizations, and private sector and other value chain actors, including with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in rural systems, with particular focus on social inclusion themes;
(c) Strengthening IFAD’s representation and communication in policy processes (including representing IFAD at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences);
(d) Generating new resources for IFAD through partnerships and outreach activities;
(e) Identifying major opportunities, as well as serving as focal point, for strategic collaboration with centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations, private sector, MSMEs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as strategic partners;
(f) Leading wider IFAD and Rome-based discussions on the development of sustainable and inclusive approaches to rural transformation as requested.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Lead Technical Specialist, supports the Director, in monitoring and corporate reporting activities to enhance knowledge creation, country-level programmes, and funding decisions. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Supporting the Director and Cluster technical leads in setting up systems to monitor the use of research output and knowledge products; and
(b) Advising on all aspects of the planning and reporting associated with research and impact assessments as well as donor reporting in the case of supplementary funding.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Lead Technical Specialist, is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. S/he acts as global anchor in charge of the overall oversight of the  Social Inclusion cluster as well as youthexpertise in IFAD. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Contributing to the supervision of key divisional programme activities, including key missions and other initiatives, leading and directing a team of staff, overseeing research and impact assessment activities, planning and allocating work assignments, coaching, mentoring and evaluating staff, and participating in recruitment, selection and training of new staff and in the development of training programmes;
(b) Contributing to the personnel and financial management of the work unit, including the development and implementation of work plans and budgets.

Position specifics:

6. TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES AND CURRENT ICT4D INITIATIVES: The Lead Global Technical Specialist (ICT4D) provides technically authoritative advice to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in the area of ICT4D in agriculture, markets/value chain, rural finance and agritech. Accountabilities may include:  
a. Providing ICT4D 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; 
b. The incumbent will provide technical support and propose an offering of new technologies and/or identify the tools and technologies that can be incorporated in IFAD projects/programmes. This would involve drafting technical content contributing to the project concept note and project design report, participating in design and implementation support missions to provide technical advice and input, drafting terms of reference, selecting and providing over-sight of qualified ICT4D consultants, facilitating technical inputs from other IFAD staff and/or others (e.g. centers of excellence, research institutions). The incumbent also provides and/or coordinates targeted technical support and peer review to other select project designs.
c. 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.
d. Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects;
e. Review proposals for small and large grants and sponsor or co-sponsor grants in ICT4D applications for rural transformation as required 
f. Preparation of project designs, to ensure ICT4D options are considered and used, provide technical support and propose an offering of new technologies and/or identify the tools and technologies that can be incorporated in IFAD projects/programmes.
g. Organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities related to ICT4D.
h. Promote inclusion of private sector lead ICT4D technologies in ongoing projects, promotion of public-private-partnerships and innovative financing and management models information and communication technologies for development.
i. The incumbent will also support country programme teams and HQ staff that are implementing ICT4D initiatives in their portfolio (e.g. in the area of e-market platform, financial inclusion, digitization of business plans, etc.). The incumbent will also organize and/or contribute to training and/or capacity building activities. 

7. IFAD ICT4D STRATEGY PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: IFAD’s ICT4D Strategy was approved by its Executive Board in December 2019. The Lead Global Technical Specialist will be guided by the Strategy action plan and lead implementation of prioritized activities in coordination with other relevant IFAD divisions and units, including the regional hubs. The incumbent will carry forward PMI’s planned initiatives in the ICT4D sector (e.g. digitization of project data to attract private co-financing; potential partnerships with agricultural market platform players; etc.), and will propose new initiatives and ICT4D projects that are aligned with the ICT4D strategy in the area of rural finance, markets and enterprises, as well as partnerships with the private sector.
The incumbent will provide technical advice on various ICT4D project proposals and initiatives that may come-up and support the corporate agenda in this sector field.

8. POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D  (a) develops and maintains a network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to keep abreast of recent developments and trends and supports brokering of partnerships to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Specifically, on the basis of their thematic expertise and skills in ICT4D and working closely with the CDs, the Lead Global Technical Specialist at headquarters, the Lead Regional Economists and other relevant colleagues; (b) contributes to the development of relevant technical policies and strategies in the thematic area of ICT4D, building on the knowledge generated from IFAD’s loans and grants;   (c) follows-up on existing partnership discussions with ICT companies interested in working with IFAD, as well as initiate new partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including in both the public and private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, etc.; (d)  supports strategic technical partnerships with relevant organizations, centres of excellence, research institutions, and thematic platforms around the world.  

9. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D contributes to knowledge management activities related to the thematic area of -ICT4D. This includes systematizing and disseminating knowledge, good practices and innovations generated through loans and grants across the globe, through specific knowledge products, toolkits, guidelines and learning events. The incumbent maintains a global network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to facilitate brokering of information and knowledge exchanges. The incumbent also builds and/or maintains communities of practice as well as a roster of qualified/certified consultants with ICT4D  area of expertise. 

10. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D provides targeted advise in ICT4D for the development of corporate initiatives/instruments, policies, procedures, including leading corporate task forces as required, particularly relating to their area of technical expertise, including contributing to shaping operational policies, IFAD position papers and technical working groups as required.

Key Performance Indicators  

Assignments require the provision of authoritative professional expertise and technical leadership at global, regional and national levels on rural institutions issues. Lead Global Technical Specialists define, propose, revise and/or develop programmes or policies for the Fund, as well as represent the position of IFAD in national, regional and 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 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.

It also requires capacity to engage with, listen to, respect and mediate with organisations of rural poor people, in particular with smallholder and family farmers organizations across the world. 

Position specific:
Assignments require the provision of specialized technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to ICT4D. The impact of work by the incumbent directly affects country programmes and contributes to regional and corporate policy and strategy. 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. Lead Global Technical Specialists also select and provide oversight of external consultants, 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 Lead Technical Specialists involves the provision of authoritative technical advice  for policy, programme and strategy development, resource mobilization,and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in mission planning, technical project appraisal or the preparation of studies and reports. The position typically serves as the Fund’s senior technical advisor in the field of specialization and exercises wide professional latitude in contacts in her/his field(s), providing technical leadership and methodological guidance to management, Regional Directors/CDs/Heads MCO, national governments, development partners and other country programme staff in the technical area of specialization.

Position specific: The incumbent represents IFAD at the global level within their area of expertise – ICT4D.

Job Profile Requirements  

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

Education:

Experience:

Languages:

Skills: