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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, andย 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 IFADโs operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness, by generating ย 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 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).
ECG is composed of two clusters: (i) Environment and Climate Change Cluster; (ii) and the Social Inclusion Cluster. ECG takes the lead in integrating cross-cutting themes of environment and climate, nutrition, gender, youth, and indigenous peoples into IFAD's portfolio, with the aim of strengthening the quality and impact of IFADโs operations. ECG also contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD-funded projects and activities. In addition, ECG provides guidance and support to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women, indigenous peoples and rural youth, into IFAD operations. Addressing environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues are inseparable from IFADโs mission to overcome poverty.
Nutrition contributes to the vibrant rural transformation that IFAD seeks to promote and is therefore at the center of IFADโs Strategic Framework (2016-2025), specifically under Strategic Objective 1: Increase poor rural peopleโs productive capacities. IFAD recognizes that malnutrition compromises rural peopleโs ability to come out of poverty. In its eleventh replenishment, IFAD committed to improve the nutrition of 12 million people by 2021 and to increase the target of projects that are nutrition sensitive at design to 50 per cent by 2021 (the IFAD10 target was 33 percent). The IFAD Nutrition Action Plan 2019-2025 aims to increase the nutritional impact of IFAD's investments based on its comparative advantage in investing in smallholder farmers. IFAD has received supplementary funds from NORAD to support the implementation of the NAP and improve the nutrition outcomes of its investments.
The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) works under the direct supervison of the Lead Technical Specialist (Nutrition) and overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the division Director.ย
Job Role ย
The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) serves as IFADโs technical expert in their area of expertise. The incumbent supports country/regional programs by providing state-of-the-art regional technical advice on nutrition and social inclusion throughout the project cycle ย and contributes to the corporate agenda, knowledge building and dissemination as well as strategy and policy setting in their technical area of expertise.ย
Within their areas of responsibility, the Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) exercises a high degree of independence in providing technical support to the design and implementation of country programmes and/or investment projects. The incumbent at this level performs the full complexity range of work, including the analysis and approval ofintegrated projects and programmes within complex settings. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Regional Technical Leads, thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Head 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.
Key Functions and Results ย
1.SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE to country programmes: The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) provides technically authoritative advice on key aspects of nutrition and social inclusion to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in rural transformation. . Accountabilities may include but are not limited to: (a) Providing nutrition and social inlcusion advice and assessments, in accordance with exisiting guidelines, technical opportunities for development of investment projects and programmes and supporting/overssing their execution; (b) Participating in country programme management teams and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFADโs country strategic opportunity papers (COSOPs) and Country Strategic Notes (CSNs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development, poverty reduction and food systems; ย (c) Participating in project missions and providing senior technical advice to ensure quality of operations.ย
2. POLICY AND STRATEGY ADVICE AND DEVELOPMENT: The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition)provide 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. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to: (a) Providing IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date and evidence-based advice on relevant policy, institutional and technical matters; (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 support to IFAD senior management's participation in high level fora with policy implications for rural transformation, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, and preparing documents and presentations; (d) Contribute to the preparation of policy-oriented products (e.g., briefs, guidance notes) to advance IFADโs voice in the global debate on rural transformation, in close collaboration within PMD and other SKD divisions. ย
3. KNOWLEDGE AND ADVISORY SERVICES: The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) 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 incumbent 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 and facilitating knowledge sharing and experiences in this area within SKD, IFAD and other stakeholders in the global and regional arena; (ii) Supporting the coordination of the relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD, within the regions 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 on social inclusion and nutrition sensitive agriculture and food systems, quality support to operations and capacity to engage in global debates with policy implications for rural transformation.ย
4. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships that can help advance IFADโs mandate and messages around rural transformation in the global debate. The incumbent 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 at global, regional and country levels; (b) Strengthening IFADโs representation and communication in policy and technical dilaogue processes and strategy issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences); (c) Developing and cultivating alliances in key global and regional policy forums such as the UN Nutrition, SUN Movement to strengthen IFAD's influence over time, with a strategic focus onnutrition and social inclusion.ย
5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) supports the Director/Lead Technical Specialists in knowledge management and other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance country level programme and funding decisions.
6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) 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, consultants, interns and general service staff under their purview.
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 the overall country programme and contributes to regional and corporate policy and strategy. Senior Technical Specialists (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) design and contribute to the delivery, implementation support and supervision of investment projects and country programmes. 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, national policies relevant for the economic policy concerns of the international organization. Senior Technical Specialists (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) 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.ย
Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. Senior Technical Specialists (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) thus exercise independence and initiative in assessing needs and advising governments. 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.
Working Relationships ย
The work relationships of Senior Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion and Nutrition) 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 incumbent serves as an expert in social inclusion and nutrition 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, having related programmes and with officials of governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, research institutes and academia. In servicing intergovernmental bodies, expert 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; they 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 specifics: They work collaboratively with respective ECG technical specialists, PMI thematic Technical Specialists, and other staff 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.
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 (*): ย Areas โ Social studies, Nutrition, Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environmental studies, Climate change, Agricultural Economics, Agro- ecological production systems, food security or related field(*) Note: ย For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFADโs Human Resources Implementing Procedures.ย
Experience:
At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in field of expertise.ย Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.Languages:
Required English and French (4 โ Excellent)ย Desirable: Spanish, or Arabic (3 โ Good)ยSkills:
Knowledge strategy & management: Extensive expertise in knowledge management & dissemination strategies Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFADยฟs vision to external actors IFAD governance & mandate: In depth knowledge of IFAD`s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes Business acumen, private sector knowledge: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences 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) 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 - 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) Project/Programme mgmt (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and evaluationOther 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.
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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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