Job Description

Organizational Setting

This is a two-year fixed-term co-terminus position. A co-terminus fixed-term appointment is an IFAD employment contract externally funded (supplementary funded, funded by trust funds in administration or other), strictly limited in duration to the funding of the position, where appointment and extension is conditional on the availability of resources and limited to the externally funded assignment. A co-terminus appointment shall not exceed the duration of the specific assignment and/or project outlined in the letter of appointment and does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, or conversion, irrespective of the length of service. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract.

Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply to this co-terminus position with their employment terms and conditions, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional on the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding finish, the position will be abolished and the staff member will be subject to the relevant provisions foreseen in the HR Implementing Procedures.

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 the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Technical Delivery is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to IFAD teams engaged in the design and implementation of projects and programmes to deliver the high technical quality investments that facilitate rural transformation, and which comply with IFAD's mandate and operational policies. The Office ensures IFAD applies and disseminates state of the art knowledge in its investments and evidence on strategic themes and encourages the innovative application of global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments. This helps countries tackle complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation including mainstreaming areas. The Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) is led by a Managing Director and is comprised of two (2) divisions: the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG) and the Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI).

The Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) facilitates improved and efficient delivery of IFAD's corporate mandate, predominantly through the quality of the design and implementation of its policies, country strategies and projects. Key functions and activities of PMI include Quality Enhancement, Policy Engagement, Networking and Strategic Partnerships. PMI's technical mandate covers a range of themes, all of which are key to deliver IFAD's strategic framework, including: agronomy, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, markets and value chains, agriculture research for development (AR4D), ICT4D, inclusive rural finance (including PARM, INSURED and remittances), rural institutions and farmers organizations, rural infrastructure, water, land and natural resources management.

PMI is led by a Divisional Director.


Job Role

The incumbent is a seasoned professional in a specialized thematic area, reporting either to a more senior Technical Specialist or to the divisional Director. At this level Technical Specialists independently analyse technical and policy problems of concern to IFAD, intergovernmental bodies, and national authorities and provide substantive technical input to the development of policies, technical strategies and proposals. The incumbent may work collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specifics:

AR4D is unique in facilitating strategic research partnerships to pilot innovative technologies and approaches that are context specific to ensure sustainable agricultural production systems and stable value chains are created, that protect the environment, generate incomes, decent employment opportunities and ensure social equity. Research to drive rural transformation requires technical supervision and insights to guarantee credible results, promotion of knowledge management and the development of scaling strategies to enhance the visibility, quality and impact of IFAD operations.


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 incumbent 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 of technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development projects and programmes and monitoring their execution, in accordance with existing organization guidelines;
  • Participating in Project Development Teams (PDTs) 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 incumbent 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 the area of specialization. The incumbent will 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 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 incumbent 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 I); and
  • Mobilizing new resources for IFAD, in collaboration with the RBMO, through partnerships and outreach activities.

    • 4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The incumbent 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. Accountabilities may include:

  • Developing monitoring and evaluation criteria for technical components of programmes and projects;
  • Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance monitoring; and
  • Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project viability and sustainability.

    • 5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent 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:
  • Knowledge content within specialty/thematic area is continuously updated and available through the intranet
  • Best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net
  • Appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.

    • Position specifics:
    Specifically, the Technical Specialist (AR4D)'s accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

    6. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • Contextual analyses of the role of research for development to ensure sustainable cropping systems and integration with other agricultural production systems including agroforestry.
  • Technical evaluations of technologies and approaches to improve the efficiency of agricultural production systems and the stability of value chains through high quality, affordable and appropriate input supplies and post-harvest services.
  • Evaluate practices and partnerships that can rehabilitate landscapes into productive agricultural systems that prevent soil erosion and promote soil health.
  • Design processes to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to assess the success and suitability of research for development technologies and approaches.
  • Contribute to assessments of the performance of research partners and provide technical inputs to project operations, under the guidance of senior colleagues, to support delivery of targeted activities, outputs and outcomes and selected beneficiaries.
  • Participate in technical discussions with potential research partners, donors, IFAD country and regional directors providing inputs to concept notes and proposals that are fit for purpose.
  • Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, policy inputs and dissemination of knowledge products to increase the visibility of AR4D and IFAD operations.
  • Draft ToR for consultants and interns, as requested and contribute to knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning provide mentorship to project staff, consultants and interns and promote and facilitate training as needed.

    • 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 Technical Specialist (AR4D) works under the guidance of the Senior Technical Specialist to contribute to resource mobilisation and technical design of projects and pilot operations to support integration of research for development technologies and approaches into IFAD operations. Contribute to monitoring and advising on the technical quality of AR4D operations and evaluate the practical relevance of results to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of crop production and agricultural systems. Support monitoring and supervision of the technical performance of research partners, project staff, consultants and interns and undertake field missions to review practical progress.


    Working Relationships

    The work relationships of the incumbent 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:
    Support the Senior Technical Specialist for AR4D who has overall managerial responsibilities for the technical and fiduciary reporting of all operations and supervision of donor relations. Provide technical support to AR4D including contributing to the development of studies and reports and supporting the coordination of AR4D-related activities, operations and staff. Work in an independent technical capacity to provide technical inputs to the Senior Technical Specialist for AR4D and respect their authority and experience in programme management. Support the Lead Global Technical Specialist for Agronomy and the relevant Cluster/Unit in PMI and interact with other PMI clusters on a technical level to identify piloting opportunities and scaling strategies. Participate in meetings with research partners to represent AR4D and provide technical inputs to the Senior Technical Specialist for AR4D and Lead Global Technical Specialist for Agronomy in support of inter-governmental meetings, corporate reporting and follow-up actions, as requested. Develop and maintain technical networks to evaluate emerging technologies and solutions to overcome stresses and shocks to sustainable agricultural production and stable value chains. Provide technical inputs on the operationalisation of research for development technologies, partnerships and approaches to support the visibility of AR4D in international events and symposia and to inform their potential application within IFAD operations.


    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 in a technically relevant area.
  • Areas - Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics etc.
  • Degree must be an accredited institution listed on

    • Experience:

  • At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization.
  • Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
  • Experience in fieldwork and international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset.

    • Languages:

  • Required English (4 - Excellent)
  • Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

    • Skills:

  • Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
  • 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
  • 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:

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