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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 IFADโs 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).
Job Role ย
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 Youth and other Social Inclusion themes. Within her/his areas of responsibility, the Lead Technical Specialist, exercises a high degree of independence in providing reliable programme delivery and strategic advice to the ECG Director. 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.
Key Functions and Results ย
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. The incumbent ensures that IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner of national governments and farmersโ 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 ย 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 IFADโs 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 divisionโs Social Inclusion cluster to ensure delivery of IFADโs 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). The incumbentย ensures access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthens technical capacity, and establishes new knowledge and advisory partnerships on how youthย should be leveraged, empowered and strengthened to promote change in the rural economies and food systems. 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 IFADโs 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. The incumbent 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 Fundโs profile as a highly competent and reliable partner in development. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:ย
(a) Building partnerships with farmersโ, producersโ, and youthโ organizations, centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations, and specialized departments of other development agencies as strategic partner;
(b) Promoting greater partnerships between farmersโ, producersโ, and youthโ 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 IFADโs 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. The incumbentย acts as global anchor in charge of the overall oversight of the ย 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:ย
The Lead Technical Specialist ensures appropriate and up-to-date technical advice to youth sensitive country programming and project designs, implementation and monitoring to optimize positive programme results, enhancements to youth employment and for the mainstreaming themes (gender, nutrition, youth, indigenous peoples, People with disabilities) into IFAD country programmes and operations. Accountabilities may include:
Key Performance Indicators ย
Assignments require the provision of authoritative professional expertise and technical leadership at global, regional and national levels on youth and social inclusion 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.
Working Relationships ย
The work relationships of Lead Technical Specialists involves the provision of authoritative technical advice ย 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 Fundโs 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.
Job Profile Requirements ย
Organizational Competencies:
Level 2:
Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environmentEducation:
Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) Areas - Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, Social Science or related field.Experience:
At least 10 years progressively responsible experience in the field of specialization, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to development programmes;ย Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope. Position specifics: Access to a network of technical and professional resources and expertise which can be brought to bear to improve portfolio programming is desirable. Experience in international policy frameworks related to global issues is an asset. Project management and resource mobilization experience relevant to the Social Inclusion is an asset.Languages:
Required English (4 โ Excellent)ย Desirable: Arabic, French, or Spanish (3 โ Good)ยSkills:
Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation) Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-ร -vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.) Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions Resources management: Know-how in the management of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants) Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; Ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD's core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD's goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all. Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.) Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, managementPosition specific skills:
Cross-cutting themes โ Gender equality and womenโs empowerment, youth employment, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, poverty targeting and social inclusion, Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, nutrition and poverty targeting strategies) Knowledge strategy & management, Extensive expertise in knowledge management & dissemination strategies; Technical expertise related to roles in Knowledge management (e.g. conceptualization, development and dissemination of knowledge products and learning) Advocacy, Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFADโs vision to external actors IFAD governance & mandate, In depth knowledge of IFADโs governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical workOther Information ย
Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.
In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful. Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.
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