Job Title : Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

ID : 28668

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 06/04/2025

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 06/24/2025

Organizational Unit : Office of Develop Effectiv

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 Development Effectiveness (ODE) ensures that IFAD's supported projects are set to achieve their maximum impact and serve as a learning opportunity for future ones. Specifically, ODE is responsible for managing, measuring, and facilitating the effectiveness of IFAD operations, including adequately incorporating knowledge into operations. Through the systematic integration of research findings, lessons learned, innovations and best practices into IFAD's project design, implementation, and self-evaluation processes, the effectiveness and impact of IFAD-supported initiatives are enhanced. ODE contributes to three key corporate objectives:

  • Enhancing accountability and transparency of operations.
  • Driving operational effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Supporting the strategic prioritization and allocation of resources.

ODE is led by a Managing Director and is comprised of four units: Operational Policy Unit (OPU); SECAP, Mainstreaming and Quality Assurance Unit (QAS); Results, Resources and Systems Unit (RRS); and Impact Assessment, Knowledge Management, and Innovation Unit (IKI).

Within ODE, RRS is responsible for assessing the impact of IFAD's operations, as well as monitoring and reporting on the performance of IFAD's portfolio, including the integration of mainstreaming issues. It oversees the allocation of IFAD's resources throughout each replenishment cycle and manages the Performance-Based Allocation System (PBAS). RRS also monitors and reports on the delivery of IFAD's loans and grants programme, serving as a central hub for monitoring, evaluation, and corporate reporting on operational performance and results, both internally and to external donors and key stakeholders.

Job Role

The Senior Specialists are accountable for IFAD's core values of integrity, transparency, and equity in the alignment to IFAD's policies and procedures of the division's programmes and projects. The Senior Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) has a policy direction, supervision and coordination role, providing technical direction and policy guidance to the teams in ODE and to the Regional Divisions in DCO. The position manages processes for the assessment and delivery of capacity development initiatives for IFAD staff and IFAD project personnel.

Key Functions and Results

1. OPERATIONAL DELIVERY AND POLICY ADVICE: The Senior Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) provides strategic and technical direction in operational delivery and policy support related to project/programme monitoring and evaluation. The accountabilities may include: (a) Bringing international best practice approaches and solutions to project/programme level Monitoring and Evaluation to IFAD and contribute substantially to the development and implementation of operational policies and procedures, ensuring that they evolve together with business needs and frontier issues on monitoring and evaluation. (b) Providing advice, guidance and support to practitioners as well as IFAD staff at country-office/hub level to interpretoperational policies, regulations and rules, and systems related to monitoring and evaluation, so that the division supports corporate goals and objectives within the overall Fund mandates and strategies. (c) Developing appropriate tools and resources for project/programme level monitoring and evaluation in IFAD (e.g. handbooks/guidelines, rosters of experts, assessment frameworks, capacity building and certification programmes, and IT tools). (d) Coordinating and contributing to the project design and implementation process. (e) Participating in project delivery teams and country management teams. (f) Leading as focal point for monitoring and evaluation and key link between corporate, field level and relevant country level results issues. (g) Developing monitoring and evaluation criteria for technical components of programmes and projects as required.

2. COMPLIANCE FUNCTION: The Senior Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) ensures compliances of IFAD programmes and projects to relevant policies and procedures. The position contributes to the integrity of IFAD's results focus and proactively recommends, as appropriate, mandatory and preferred changes/adjustments in line with Development Effectiveness Framework and relevant operational policies by

(a) Ensuring compliance with key operational building-blocks related to Monitoring and Evaluation and with policies and procedures governing programme management and (b) Working to harmonize and maintain consistency with the IFAD Evaluation Policy and the IFAD Evaluation Manual in relation to country and relevant corporate-level Monitoring and Evaluation.

3. CORPORATE MONITORING AND RESULTS REPORTING: In the context of IFAD's self-evaluation architecture, the Senior Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) develops tools, and promotes corporate Monitoring and Evaluation reporting culture to ensure effectiveness at the project level by: (a) Bringing project and programme level Monitoring and Evaluation issues to corporate attention. (b) Leading corporate reporting on operational performance and results, including externally to donors, external organizations and key stakeholders. (c) Developing corporate Monitoring and Evaluation guidance, strategy, criteria, systems and tools for technical components of programmes and projects. (d) Preparing analytical findings and reporting to governing bodies on divisional and country-level performance on Monitoring and Evaluation as part of the Fund's development effectiveness framework and Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation and Learning (MEAL) Action plan. (e) Managing regular reporting on the portfolio's Monitoring and Evaluation performance for colleagues and senior management. (f) Working closely with Regional Divisions to develop regionally specific MEAL Action Plans.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) 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.

Key Performance Indicators

The key results have an impact on the compliance of operations with IFAD rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies and the monitoring and reporting on achievement of results. Assignments require the provision of solid technical expertise and input for the area of their responsibility, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include the development of knowledge products, tools and strategies, evaluation of compliance and lessons learnt and best practices. The work is considered complex; requiring in-depth technical knowledge and expertise. The position works independently and with authority, and is accountable for the results of their work.

The Senior Specialist (Monitoring & Evaluation) has an impact on the overall effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring and evaluation across IFAD's portfolio, supporting efforts to ensure relevant policies, procedures, systems, and capacity are in place across IFAD to support organizational priorities for IFAD13 and beyond.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of the Senior Specialist involve the provision of technical advice and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in mission planning, technical project appraisal or the preparation of studies and reports. In the context of operational delivery and policy support, the incumbent maintains collaborative working relationships, both within the department, and with other relevant IFAD divisions. Representation is made in internal and external fora in the areas of operational policies, procedures and compliance functions related to Monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent engages their counterparts at the project level in the government and Project Management Unit. The Senior Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) serves as the senior advisor on policy development and implementation.

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
  • Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.
  • Desirable: Professional certification or additional qualifications relevant for Monitoring and Evaluation.

Experience:

  • At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in, and demonstrated understanding of development projects and programmes, preferably in relation to rural and agricultural development. An advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four additional years of relevant professional experience, over and above the minimum number of years of experience.
  • Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
  • The candidate should have specific experience in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation, for example in the design, development and management of M&E systems and/or implementation of M&E functions, in the context of development projects.
  • Experience such as working on M&E in complex/fragile situations, strong IT, statistical and data analysis skills, experience designing and implementing household surveys, and experience with commonly used M&E software and survey/data collection tools are highly desirable.

Languages:

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

Skills:

  • Data management: Data collection, cleaning, transformation and consolidation; data-base architecture & development; data presentation
  • 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
  • Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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)

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.

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

In accordance with IFADs 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 IFADs remuneration package, please visit IFADs 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.

Long-listed candidates will be required to participate in a pre-screening interview. Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a technical and competency-based interview and may be required to take a written test and/or to deliver a presentation.

Non-selected candidates who have been shortlisted, interviewed and found suitable in this competitive selection process, may be included in IFAD's appointable roster and considered for future positions in the same job family and grade level, in line with IFAD's applicable provisions. Candidates included in the appointable roster will be notified by IFAD.

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