Senior Planning & Organizational Development Officer, Rome

Job Title : Senior Planning & Organizational Development Officer - Rome, Italy

ID : 25985

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 01/21/2025

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 02/12/2025

Organizational Unit : Plan, Organ, Devel Budget

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Regular

Assignment Duration : 2 Years

Grade : P-4

Organizational Setting

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 Planning, Organizational Development and Budgeting (POB), as a part of Corporate Services Support Group (CSSG), aims to strengthen IFAD's planning, organizational development and budgeting function and is responsible for ensuring a strong link between planning, change and organizational development, resource allocation, results monitoring and strategy. Within the context of the IFAD Strategic Framework, POB aligns medium-term priorities to the allocation of financial and human resources. POB is responsible for implementing and tracking results-based planning, organizational development and budgeting through this process. By leading these functions, POB helps IFAD think and act strategically to enhance performance, impact and value for money. POB works closely with different teams across IFAD on initiatives focused on strengthening the organizational culture, advancing change management, and fostering a positive work environment to support IFAD's efforts to maximize its institutional agility, resilience and adaptability.

The key processes the office manages are:

• Strategically focused budget consultations, and earlier communication of budget envelopes;
• Results-based planning and budgeting and enhanced systems to enable cost tracking at the activity and output levels;
• Consolidation of corporate planning functions through facilitation of a strategic prioritization process with the Executive Management Committee;
• Flexibility for budget holders to manage staff and non-staff budgets;
• Management of organizational development, positions and workforce planning
• Strategic advice on efficient result based budgeting and support to divisions in the decentralized context.

The Senior Planning and Organizational Development Officer works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the Lead Planning and Organizational Development Specialist.

Job Role

The incumbent supports the creation of synergies, increased collaboration, and the enhancement of existing functional responsibilities relating to organisational planning and development and change management delivery. Within their areas of responsibility, the Senior Planning and Organizational Development Officer provides a holistic approach to incorporating improved and efficient organizational structure and development practices. The incumbent at this level performs the full complexity range of work, including project management and coordination of reform initiatives, analysis of complex and/or precedent setting cases with the aim to ensure cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of organisational change and development support.

Key Functions and Results

1. STRATEGIC ADVICE AND DEVELOPMENT: The incumbent provides expertise and support in the development and implementation of organisational structure, identifying areas for improvement to enhance IFAD's overall efficiency and effectiveness, facilitating cross-departmental collaboration and ensuring the strategic allocation of resources in accordance with IFAD's priorities. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:

• Providing IFAD management with up-to-date and evidence-based advice on organisational workforce planning, decentralisation and change management;
• Providing evidence-informed recommendations to IFAD management on developing, monitoring and implementing organisational structures, in alignment with IFAD's strategic objectives, commitments and priorities;
• Coordination of ongoing reforms and preparation of relevant technical documents and products (e.g., complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies such as progress reports against Decentralization 2.0 reform plan) ;
• Analyse entire organizational structure and workforce requirements and develop strategies to ensure optimal efficiency;
• Under the overall guidance and vision of OPV, develop and draft IFAD's corporate strategies and associated documents on a periodic basis;
• Ensure linkages between change management process, the organisational vision, medium-term budget process and other ongoing corporate initiatives and promote a participatory approach with the concerned business owners
• Refine and implement staffing metrics for all Departments in light of IFAD's evolving decentralised business model and areas of work;
• Review effectiveness of reporting lines and span of control, including further benchmarking; and
• Expertise and technical input into managing IFAD's results-based management approach, ensuring close linkages to the annual and mid-term budget processes; this includes establishing corporate reporting mechanisms, setting key performance indicators, and coordinating monitoring activities to track and report progress against strategic and operational results.

2. KNOWLEDGE ADVISORY SUPPORT: The incumbent enhances the development of viable and sustainable strategic policies and supports a solid well structured and harmonised organisational environment through authoritative technical knowledge sharing. S/he will ensure access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: The incumbent develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships (mainly IFIs) to support a harmonised and benchmarked integration of IFADs strategic planning sysyems. Accountabilities may include, but not limited to:

• Building partnerships with centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations and specialized departments of other development agencies as strategic partner;
• Strengthening IFAD's representation and communication in policy processes (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences);
• Contributing to wider IFAD and Rome-based discussions on the development of sustainable and inclusive approaches to change management and organisational development as requested.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The incumbent supports the Director in monitoring and corporate reporting activities. This includes coordinating and monitoring the annual organisational, departmental and divisional planning, including Dynamic Workforce Planning and Decentralisation and reporting on their progress

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the field of specialization. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the supervision of key divisional corporate activities, overseeing relevant monitoring and evaluation activities, planning and allocating work assignments, coaching, mentoring and evaluating staff, participating in recruitment, selection and training of new staff and in the development of training programs;
• Contributing to the personnel and financial management of the work unit, including the development and implementation of work plans and budgets.

8. POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: The Senior Planning and Organizational Development Officer 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 organisational development.

9. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES: The Senior Planning and Organizational Development Officer provides targeted advice for the development of corporate initiatives/instruments, policies, procedures, including participation in corporate task forces as required, particularly relating to their area of technical expertise, including contributing to shaping organisational strategic policies, IFAD position papers and technical working groups as required.

Key Performance Indicators

Work at this level is considered as 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 Funds organisational framework, strategic vision and policies and in the solution of methodological problems or in the formulation of policy proposals and recommendations.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of the Senior Planning and Organisational Development Officer involves the provision of authoritative technical advice on policy, strategic planning and strategy development. The incumbent typically serves as the Fund's senior technical Specialist in the field of specialization and exercises wide professional latitude in contacts in their field(s), providing technical support and methodological guidance to management and other relevant staff in the technical area of their area of expertise.

Job Profile Requirements

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 eknPc0k PHMNB
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) - in a technically relevant area.*
• Areas - Organizational development business administration (MBA), human resources management, finance, results based planning and budget and related fields, etc
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.

(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in the field of organisational development, change management and results-based management
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in a multi-cultural inter- governmental organization. Demonstration of technical skills in organizational planning and development and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
• Ability to work in autonomous manner and to write recommendations in a succinct and clear manner
• Prior experience in International Financial Institutions (IFIs) or development institutions in the area of organizational planning and change management and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
• Ability to share high level technical guidance / knowledge as well as to inspire more junior specialists in the development of viable organizational planning and change management activities.
• Ability to share technical guidance/knowledge as well as to inspire more junior specialists and programme staff in the development of viable resource planning activities.
• Experience in international policy and strategic frameworks

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent)
• Another IFAD language French, Spanish and/or Arabic is desirable (4 - Excellent)
• Good skills both in speaking and drafting high level strategic documents.

Skills:

• Verbal communication: Ability to use verbal communication as a main tool in profession; clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Project/Programme management: Identification of key-priorities, ability to structure work to meet deadlines and adjustment of workplan/resource allocation when needed Programme management: overall management of portfolio of work (including PMO interaction ) with expertise to identify dependencies or bottlenecks between projects, managing changes and risks
• 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)
• Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• 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.)
• Strategy expert, possessing detailed experience and knowledge in the analysis of results based management processes with a capacity to assess issues of risk across a range of operational scenarios
• Confidentiality & Discretion, Establishes self and division as trusted Specialist 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 their work.;
• 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;

Other Information

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 accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD's remuneration package, please visit IFAD's compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements. See here .

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

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.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse .

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org

This position is also included in the pool of positions made available to IFAD staff members in the context of the 2024 reassignment exercise. Priority will be given to internal staff in reassignment who are deemed appointable for positions at the same grade level.