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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).
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 IFADโs non sovereign private sector investment activities.ย
The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the Lead Global Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions), with dual reporting to the Regional Director, LAC.
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Job Role ย
The Senior Technical Specialist serves as IFADโs technical expert in their area of expertise. The position 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.ย
Within their 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. The incumbent works 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 specific: The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) serves as IFADโs technical expert in the area of rural institutions. The position supports country/regional programs globally, but with a focus on Latic America and Caribbean region (LAC), by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle, ย and contributes to the corporate agenda, knowledge building and dissemination as well as strategy and policy setting. Within the field of rural institutions, the Senior Regional 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 ย
1.SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE: The Senior Technical Specialist provides technically authoritative advice on their area of specialization to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in these domains, and to improve related national government policies and programmes and ensure 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 ensure that IFAD senior management is regularly and adequately briefed to engage effectively in high level fora with policy implications for rural transformation. (c) Providing senior level technical expertise to the preparation of knowledge products aiming to advance IFADโs voice in the global debate on rural transformation, in close collaboration within SKD and IFAD.ย
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 their area of specialization. The position will ensure access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen technical capacity and establish 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 other stakeholders in the global arena; (ii) Supporting the coordination of the relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of 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; (iii) Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes; (iv) Planning and leading learning events to strengthen IFADโs knowledge and capacity to engage in global debates with policy implications for rural transformation.ย
3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: Senior Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships that can help advance IFADโs mandate and messages around rural transformation in the global debate. The position develops 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 Fundโs profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Accountabilities may include: (a) Building 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, and others) as strategic partners; (b) Strengthening IFADโs representation and communication in policy processes (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences); (c) Developing and cultivating alliances in key global policy forums to strengthen IFAD's influence over time, with a strategic focus on specific themes in their area of specialization.ย
4. 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.
5. 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 their purview.
Position specifics:
6. TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES IN RURAL INSTITUTIONS: Based on a planning exercise undertaken jointly between PMD and SKD, and working in close collaboration with the CDs/Head MCOs, particularly in LAC, the Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) provides technical advice to selected country programmes across the LAC region. The position provides technical advice in their area of technical expertise for the preparation of selected Results-based Country Strategic Opportunities Programmes (COSOP) and Country Strategy Notes (CSN). The position serves as Technical Lead for select project designs in the Region, ensuring the overall technical quality of the assigned project design across all technical areas, including drafting terms of reference for technical team members, selecting and providing over-sight of qualified technical consultants, facilitating technical inputs from other IFAD staff and/or others (e.g. centers of excellence, research institutions), ensuring the technical quality of the project design report, leading selected missions, and ensuring that comments provided through corporate quality enhancement and assurance processes are adequately addressed. On the basis of their thematic expertise and skills, the incumbent also provides and/or coordinates targeted technical support and peer review to other select project designs in the respective Region, particularly as member of Project Delivery Teams. The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) also provides technical support in their thematic area for selected ongoing projects in the Region, with priority given to projects for which the incumbent was the Technical Lead in rural institutions during design and/or projects requiring implementation support (e.g. projects-at-risk), including participation in or leading supervision, implementation support missions, mid-term review missions, as well as organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities. The position also provides technical inputs to selected project completion reports. The incumbent manages regional and/or global grants and programs for civil society organizations, in particular for producersโ organizations.
7. POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) develops and maintains a network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to keep abreast of recent developments and trends and facilitate brokering of partnerships to enhance the Fundโs profile as a highly competent and viable development partner in the LAC. Specifically, on the basis of their thematic expertise and skills and working closely with the CDs/Head MCOs, the Lead Global Technical Advisor at headquarters, the Lead Regional Economist and the Technical Advisors on policy engagement in the AVP/PMD Front Office, the incumbent supports the development of relevant technical policies and strategies linked to the country programs in the region. The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) represents IFAD in global fora related to policy formulation on smallholder and family farming and rural development. The incumbent develops and maintains strategic partnerships with relevant organizations, centres of excellence, private sector partners, research institutions, thematic platforms, in particular in LAC with smallholder and family farmers organizations in the framework of the Farmersโ Forum process at IFAD (FAFO) and of the UN Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF). Partnership with the UE, OACPS and other donors supporting FOs capacity building programs (such as FO4ACP, FO4LA and others). ย
8. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) serves as the corporate focal point for knowledge management activities related to the thematic area of their technical expertise (Producersโ organizations, including cooperatives, agricultural extension and advisory services, including Farmers Field Schools, territorial and community driven development institutions, including natural resources and water users associations and institutional set up of agricultural and rural development projects) for the LAC region. Working closely with SKD and PMD colleagues, particularly in LAC, the incumbent leads the systematization and dissemination of knowledge, good practices and innovations in their thematic area generated through IFADโs country programs in the region, and contributes to cross learning and dissemination across the globe, including securing the required resources (i.e. budget, consultants), through specific knowledge products, tool-kits, guidelines and learning events. The position (a) maintains a network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD, particularly in LAC, to facilitate brokering of information and knowledge exchanges; (b) builds and/or maintains communities of practice as well as roster of qualified consultants with their area of expertise; (c) represents IFAD in regional/global events on technical matters related to the thematic area of their technical expertise and relevant to IFAD; (d) identifies and promotes opportunities for knowledge sharing and exchanges between regionally-mapped technical staff within their area of technical expertise.ย
9. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES. Working in close collaboration with the Lead Global Technical Specialist-Rural institutions at IFAD headquarters, the Senior Regional Technical Specialist contributes to corporate initiatives of relevance for the LAC region and the respective area of technical expertise as required, including contributing to shaping operational policies, IFAD position papers and technical working groups as required.ย
Key Performance Indicators ย
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the field of specialization. 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 Fundโs 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. Senior Regional 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.ย
Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. Senior Regional 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 specific: ย The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) has the above KPIs for the area of rural institutions, with a focus on the LAC region.ย
Working Relationships ย
The work relationships of Senior Technical Specialists involves the provision of technical advice and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in technical project design and appraisal, supervision/implementation support and in the preparation of studies and reports. The position serves as an expert in the area of agronomy and works with full technical independence in the provision of 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, IFIs governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations,private sector research institutes and academia. In servicing intergovernmental bodies, expert and working groups and other meetings, the Senior Technical Specialist provides technical expertise and recommendations for investment, policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and Specialist capacity; the incumbent also may provide information regarding the organization's policies, and act as the representative of the organization. Maintain contacts to identify and evaluate emerging developments.
Position specific: The Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Institutions) represents IFAD notably in LAC within their area of expertise, in particular in the Steering Committee of the Farmers Forum at IFAD and in the civil socity organizations and smallholder producersโ organizations and community-based organizations.
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:
Level -ย Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a job related field (*) Areas - Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics etc.ย(*) Note: ย For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFADโs Human Resources Implementing Procedures
Experience:
At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of rural institutions development, strengthening and empowerment, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to development programmes and investment projects promoting a strengthened role for rural institutions, including civil socity organizations and smallholder producersโ organizations and community-based organizations, in promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development, value chains development, market creation and development, greater partnerships with the private sector, as well as management of regional and/or global capacity building grants and programs for civil society organizations, in particular for producers organizations.ย At least five (3) years of relevant experience in a multi-cultural inter- governmental organization.ย Position-specific experience: Experience in international policy frameworks related to global agricultural, food security and rural development issues is an asset as well as experience in engaging with civil society organizations, smallholder producersโ organizations and community based organizations in developing countries. Experience in building partnerships with farmers, their organizations and the private sector is a plus.ยLanguages:
Required English (4 โ Excellent) and Spanish (3-Good) Desirable: French and/or Arabicย Position specifics: excellent technical writing skill in in English and SpanishSkills:
Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors 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 Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a \"Culture Carrier\" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work. Corporate approach: Ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one's area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities) 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. Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector 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.) Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation) Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology) Cross-cutting themes - Gender and social inclusion: Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, targeting strategies) Cross-cutting themes - Nutrition: Expertise specific to nutrition cross-cutting theme (e.g. food systems) Institutions: Expertise and know how in assessing and developing effective, inclusive and sustainable Rural Institutions (producersยฟ organizations and agri. cooperatives, CBOs and self-help groups, water/natural resources users associations..), public and private agricultural extension/advisory services as well as institutional set up for effective delivery of rural development programmes.