Lead Technical Specialist AR4D - Co-Terminus, Rome

Job Title : Lead Technical Specialist AR4D - Co-Terminus - Rome

ID : 26639

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 02/14/2025

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 03/06/2025

Organizational Unit : Sust. Prd. Mkts. & Instit.

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Regular

Assignment Duration : 2 Years

Grade : P-5

Organizational Setting

The position advertised is co-terminus, i.e. subject to limited duration and funding. The successful candidate will be granted a co-terminus appointment strictly limited in duration to the funding of the specific project and/or assignment. Any extension, if applicable, will be contingent upon the availability of the same funding source, the continued existence of the position, and functional needs. Effective 1 January 2025, co-terminus appointments will also be subject to a maximum total duration of seven years, including contract extensions. This type of appointment does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, of conversion to any other type of appointment with IFAD, regardless of the length of service.

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 LTS technically supports country/regional programs as well as the corporate agenda by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational). Within the areas of responsibility, the Lead 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 LTS is also an expert and knowledge builder in their thematic specialization. The incumbent provides technical expertise and strategic guidance on generating and using new ideas to enrich the knowledge base that supports the Fund's operational and policy agenda. The incumbent provides substantive contribution to understanding future trends in rural development relevant to their area of expertise, strengthening IFAD's strategic planning perspective and pro-actively fostering innovative and effective solutions to rural poverty within investment projects, country programmes, IFAD`s policy, member governments, the academic community, private sector, and public opinion in the international development community. Knowledge management at this level directly impacts on quality control and enhancement of IFAD`s programmes and partnership development for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation.

The Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) desk is part of the PMI Division within OTD at IFAD. The AR4D desk manages grant projects to research partner organisations (e.g. CGIAR, CAADP ex Pillar IV organisations, ICIPE, ICBA, INBAR, NARS, etc) addressing research gaps relevant for the IFAD investment portfolio and the small-scale producers that IFAD serves. The projects are primarily focused on applied and participatory research directly with farmers and involving national research partners for capacity strengthening and sustainability. As such the AR4D desk plays a pivotal role in advancing agricultural research with and for small-scale producers and development globally. By fostering innovation, promoting sustainable practices, and building strong partnerships, the AR4D unit contributes to improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and ensuring their income and food security and nutrition for their families. As the unit continues to evolve and address new challenges, it remains committed to its mission of driving positive change in rural communities worldwide.

The Lead Technical Specialist, Agricultural Research for Development (LTS-AR4D) works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Managing Director OTD and the direct supervision of the Director PMI.

Within the organization, the LTS-AR4D is responsible for the management of the AR4D programmes mainly supported by EU. Specifically this role provides the oversight, technical support and coordination with other divisions and departments on all aspects of AR4D delivery including:

• Provide strategic and technical advice related to AR4D;
• Working closely with IFAD Project Technical Leads (PTL), Country Directors (CDs), Project Delivery Teams (PDT) and others on identifying AR4D needs in the IFAD investment project portfolio, generating and review lessons from the overall AR4D programme and incorporate them as appropriate in setting strategic priorities, improving performance of AR4D programme implementation and in designing new AR4D operations closely linked to IFAD`s investment project portfolio;
• Provide operational leadership in the implementation of AR4D grant operations and ensuring that all activities are executed to a high standard, in line with Contribution Agreements, EU/IFAD procedures, within established time and budget;
• Play a key role in the design of future AR4D programmes. The LTS-AR4D also represents IFAD at external events and fora and strategically positions the Fund to leverage potential AR4D funding and collaboration opportunities.

Under the supervision of the Director of PMI, the LTS-AR4D will work closely with other IFAD departments to ensure good governance and full compliance with IFAD procedures for the prudent and efficient utilization of funds disbursed to grant recipients.

Key Functions and Results

1.POLICY AND STRATEGY ADVICE AND DEVELOPMENT: The incumbent provides technically authoritative advice informed by empirical evidence to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in agricultural, food security, rural development and rural poverty innovation. The incumbent ensures that IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner of national government in policy dialogues and forums. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:

• Providing IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date and evidence-based advice on relevant policy, institutional and technical matters.
• Providing evidence-informed recommendations to IFAD management on IFAD's rural development agenda using a wide range of data sources and analytical tools.
• Providing substantive 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.
• Leading the preparation of technical products (e.g., complex papers, analysis, substantive sections of reports and studies) to advance IFAD's voice in the global debate on rural transformation, in close collaboration with other relevant divisions.

2. KNOWLEDGE ADVISORY LEADERSHIP: The incumbent 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:

• Leading processes related to 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 IFAD and other stakeholders in the global arena.
• Coordinating 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, seminars and workshops, through electronic media and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field.
• Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes.
• Planning and leading learning events to strengthen IFAD's knowledge and capacity to engage in global debates with policy implications for rural transformation.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: The incumbent develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships that can 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, keeps 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 reliable partner in development. Accountabilities may include, but not limited to:

• Building partnerships with centres of excellence, complementary financial and 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).
• Generating new resources for IFAD through partnerships and outreach activities.
• Identifying major opportunities, as well as serving as a focal point, for strategic collaboration with centres of excellence, complementary technical organizations and specialized departments of other development agencies as strategic partners.
• Leading/supporting 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 incumbent supports the Managing Director in monitoring and corporate reporting activities to enhance knowledge creation, country level programme and funding decisions.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the supervision of key divisional programme activities, including key missions and other initiatives, leading and directing a team of staff, overseeing knowledge management, innovation, needs based 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.
• Contributing to the personnel and financial management of the work unit, including the development and implementation of work plans and budgets.

6. MANAGEMENT OF EU FUNDED PROGRAMMES: The incumbent is accountable to IFAD and donors to ensure that projects and programmes are implemented in line with programme objectives, IFAD/EU procedures and signed Contribution Agreements. Accountabilities include:

• Coordinate the development of new programmes that are in line with IFAD investment project`s needs and donors priorities;
• Plan, supervise and monitor implementation of projects within the AR4D programme, aligning them with programme objectives, annual workplans and budgets and IFAD procedures and provide technical guidance to ensure high quality and relevance of programme outcomes for IFAD`s target group of small-scale producers;
• Manage project budgets with integrity and transparency, ensuring funds are allocated effectively and expenses are tracked accurately to minimize risks in line with EU verifications/RER study requirements;
• Oversee the programme`s timelines, deliverables and outcomes to ensure objectives are met efficiently;
• Coordinate and report to IFAD and donors on the implementation and financial progress of programmes on a regular basis.

7. INTEGRATION AND ALIGNMENT WITH IFAD OPERATIONS: The incumbent ensures that AR4D programmes are contributing to and enhancing IFAD operations with technologies and innovations that can benefit rural small-scale producers, women and youth. Accountabilities include:

• Facilitate that AR4D grantees are working closely with IFAD PTLs, Country Directors, PDTs, and most importantely government Project Management Units (PMU) of IFAD financed projects, to ensure that they are provided with promising and proven available technologies adoptable by the rural small-scale producers, women and youh that IFAD serves;
• Contribute to ensuring that IFAD senior management is regularly and adequately briefed to engage effectively in high level fora related to agricultural research for rural development; and
• Ensure mainstreaming and integration of programme results into IFAD`s core projects.

8. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: The incumbent builds and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the European Union and other donors, UN agencies, CGIAR and other research institutions, government agencies and others. Accountabilities include:

• Represent IFAD at international conferences, workshops, and meetings to promote AR4D programme objectives;
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration amongst stakeholders to enhance the impact of research outcomes; and
• Work closely with the global partnership and resource mobilization division to ensure a continuous and diversified funding of the programme.

9. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The incumbent will ensure the efficient, consistent and strategic production, dissemination and overall management of knowledge produced under the AR4D programmes, strengthen technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities include:

• Lead the technical review and support the development and strategic dissemination of knowledge products produced under the AR4D program that will support IFAD`s investment projects in promoting the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and approaches relevant for small-scale producers; and,
• Ensure the organization of knowledge services, including webinars between research institutions and IFAD and PMU personal to discuss practical ways to adopt technologies and innovative approaches to enhance the impact and quality of IFAD loan projects.

Key Performance Indicators

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 design and contribute to the delivery of a country programme. The impact on the overall IFAD country and regional programmes is significant in projecting the Fund`s 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 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.

Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. Senior 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.

The LTS-AR4D manages complex and diverse projects, leads the AR4D team and contributes to AR4D resource mobilization and design and implementation of projects. S/He ensures that challenges are identified, and innovative solutions are shared with development specialists. The Lead Technical Specialist also monitors and guides the work of a team composed of staff and external consultants and participates as an expert in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Towards these objectives, The LTS-AR4D is expected to:

• Ensures the delivery of objectives listed in the Contribution Agreements with donors. S/He plans and organizes activities, financial resources and human capacity to deliver expected outputs, ensures knowledge transfer and submit required progress/final reports to donors
• Strengthen and develop partnerships with donors (EU, UN Agencies, and others) and stakeholders (NARS, Farmers` Organisations, CGIAR and research centres) to facilitate regular dialogue and collaboration to align the applied research with stakeholder needs and priorities as well as to enhance the scope and reach of the research
• Engage regularly with other LTS, CDs and other partners promote the use of research findings and advocate for evidence-based policy decisions emxm5xQ PHMNB
• Lead and support the team effectively by planning and allocating work assignments, providing coaching and mentorship, evaluating performance, and taking an active role in recruitment and staff development.
• Foster a healthy, inclusive team environment by addressing conflicts constructively, encouraging open communication, promoting work-life balance, and serving as a focal point for staff concerns to senior management, including ethical matters.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of Lead Technical Specialist involves the provision of authoritative technical advice 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 incumbent typically serves as the Funds senior technical advisor/lead in the field of specialization and exercises wide professional latitude in contacts in their field(s), providing technical leadership and methodological guidance to management, CDs, national governments, development partners and other country programme staff in the technical area of specialization.

The LTS- AR4D will manage the AR4D team of staff and consultants and will be also responsible for directly identifying and deal with the existing and new potential donors in order to regularly mobilize the funds needed for the implementation of the AR4D program.

The facilitation of knowledge and experience exchanges will involve:

• Discussions with clients and stakeholders at country, regional and global levels.
• Regular dialogue and search for synergies with IFAD operations and among donors (particularly EU) and technical partners (particularly research institutions, UN Agencies, CAADP ex Pillar IV organizations).
• Organization of focused client and service provider workshops/round tables on specific AR4D issues.

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

Education:

• Level - Advanced university degree (minimum master) from an accredited institution in a relevant area.
• Areas - agronomy, rural and agricultural development, natural resource management, environment, development economics, or related fields.
• 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 IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least ten (10) years progressively responsible experience in the field of specialization.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Substantive and sustained work experience in management of complex programmes with several project and donor (preferably EU) partners in the area of Agriculture;
• At least 1 year of experience in participatory research with rural small-scale producers, women or youth

Languages:

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

Skills:

• 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-à-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.).
• Loans & grants: Know-how in designing loan and grant operations and managing loan and grant preparation process.
• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management.

Other Information

The position advertised is co-terminus, i.e. subject to limited duration and funding. The successful candidate will be granted a co-terminus appointment strictly limited in duration to the funding of the specific project and/or assignment. Any extension, if applicable, will be contingent upon the availability of the same funding source, the continued existence of the position, and functional needs. Effective 1 January 2025, co-terminus appointments will also be subject to a maximum total duration of seven years, including contract extensions. This type of appointment does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, of conversion to any other type of appointment with IFAD, regardless of the length of service.

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.

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 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 IFAD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and IFAD policy to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse

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