Job Title : Lead Global Technical Specialist - ICT for Development (ICT4D)

ID : 33863

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 02/09/2026

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 03/03/2026

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

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Regular

Assignment Duration : 2 Years

Grade : P-5

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 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 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 incumbent 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.

Position Specifics:

The Lead Global Technical Specialist ICT4D acts as the global anchor in this discipline, leading in information and communication technologies for development with strong experience in implementing ICT solutions in the area of agriculture, markets/value chains, rural finance and agritech. The incumbent manages key programs and initiatives related to ICT4D, supports country/regional programs by providing state-of-the-art global technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational), as well as contributes to the corporate agenda, in the technical area of ICT4D. The incumbent works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists covering other areas in PMI, Country Directors (CD)/Heads 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. The Lead Global Technical Specialist- ICT4D also represents IFAD at the global level within thier area of expertise (ICT4D), and ensures knowledge flows among the regionally-mapped technical staff within thier area of expertise.

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 within 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 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.

Position Specifics: 6. TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES AND CURRENT ICT4D INITIATIVES: The Lead Global Technical Specialist (ICT4D) provides technically authoritative advice to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in the area of ICT4D in agriculture, markets/value chain, rural finance and agritech. Accountabilities may include: a. Providing ICT4D expertise in the identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development investment projects and programmes and supporting and overseeing their execution; b. The incumbent will provide technical support and propose an offering of new technologies and/or identify the tools and technologies that can be incorporated in IFAD projects/programmes. This would involve drafting technical content contributing to the project concept note and project design report, participating in design and implementation support missions to provide technical advice and input, drafting terms of reference, selecting and providing over-sight of qualified ICT4D consultants, facilitating technical inputs from other IFAD staff and/or others (e.g. centers of excellence, research institutions). The incumbent also provides and/or coordinates targeted technical support and peer review to other select project designs. c. Participating in country programme, management teams and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD's country strategic opportunity programmes (COSOPs) and Country Strategic Notes (CSNs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; the position has a global mandate. d. Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects; e. Review proposals for small and large grants and sponsor or co-sponsor grants in ICT4D applications for rural transformation as required f. Preparation of project designs, to ensure ICT4D options are considered and used, provide technical support and propose an offering of new technologies and/or identify the tools and technologies that can be incorporated in IFAD projects/programmes. g. Organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities related to ICT4D. h. Promote inclusion of private sector lead ICT4D technologies in ongoing projects, promotion of public-private-partnerships and innovative financing and management models information and communication technologies for development. i. The incumbent will also support country programme teams and HQ staff that are implementing ICT4D initiatives in their portfolio (e.g. in the area of e-market platform, financial inclusion, digitization of business plans, etc.). The incumbent will also organize and/or contribute to training and/or capacity building activities.

7. IFAD ICT4D STRATEGY PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: IFAD's ICT4D Strategy was approved by its Executive Board in December 2019. The Lead Global Technical Specialist will be guided by the Strategy action plan and lead implementation of prioritized activities in coordination with other relevant IFAD divisions and units, including the regional hubs. The incumbent will carry forward PMI's planned initiatives in the ICT4D sector (e.g. digitization of project data to attract private co-financing; potential partnerships with agricultural market platform players; etc.), and will propose new initiatives and ICT4D projects that are aligned with the ICT4D strategy in the area of rural finance, markets and enterprises, as well as partnerships with the private sector. The incumbent will provide technical advice on various ICT4D project proposals and initiatives that may come-up and support the corporate agenda in this sector field.

8. POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D (a) 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 in development. Specifically, on the basis of their thematic expertise and skills in ICT4D and working closely with the CDs, the Lead Global Technical Specialist at headquarters, the Lead Regional Economists and other relevant colleagues; (b) contributes to the development of relevant technical policies and strategies in the thematic area of ICT4D, building on the knowledge generated from IFAD's loans and grants; (c) follows-up on existing partnership discussions with ICT companies interested in working with IFAD, as well as initiate new partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including in both the public and private sector, UN agencies, NGOs, etc.; (d) supports strategic technical partnerships with relevant organizations, centres of excellence, research institutions, and thematic platforms around the world.

9. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D contributes to knowledge management activities related to the thematic area of -ICT4D. This includes systematizing and disseminating knowledge, good practices and innovations generated through loans and grants across the globe, through specific knowledge products, toolkits, guidelines and learning events. The incumbent maintains a global network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to facilitate brokering of information and knowledge exchanges. The incumbent also builds and/or maintains communities of practice as well as a roster of qualified/certified consultants with ICT4D area of expertise.

10. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES: The Lead Global Technical Specialist-ICT4D provides targeted advise in ICT4D for the development of corporate initiatives/instruments, policies, procedures, including leading corporate task forces as required, particularly relating to their area of technical expertise, including contributing to shaping operational policies, IFAD position papers and technical working groups as required.

Key Performance Indicators

Assignments require the provision of authoritative professional expertise and technical leadership at the global, regional and national levels, in the area of specialization. The Lead Technical Specialists define, propose, revise and/or develop investment projects, programmes or policies for the Fund and represent the position of IFAD in national, regional as well as global fora and conferences. Innovation is required in the adaptation and development of approaches and methods to evolving technical and programmatic contexts. Work at this level is considered as substantially complex and of critical concern to the Fund. In particular, the operational, analytical and policy work requires in depth identification and consideration of a full range of factors relevant to the examination and discussion of programme problems and policies in the solution of methodological problems or in the formulation of policy proposals and project recommendations.

Position Specifics: Capacity to engage with, listen to, respect and mediate with organisations of rural poor people, in particular with smallholder and family farmers organizations across the world.

Assignments require the provision of specialized technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to ICT4D. The impact of work by the incumbent directly affects country programmes and contributes to regional and corporate policy and strategy. 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. Lead Global Technical Specialists also select and provide oversight of external consultants, participate as experts in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of the incumbent 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 Fund's senior technical advisor/lead in the field of specialization and exercises wide professional latitude in contacts in their field(s) of specialization, providing technical leadership and methodological guidance to management, Directors, CDs, national governments, development partners and other country programme staff in the technical area of expertise.

Position Specifics: The incumbent represents IFAD at the global level within their area of expertise ICT4D.

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 from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area.
  • Areas - System Engineer, Computer Science, Artificial intelligence, ICT, and related fields, etc

Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php

Experience:

  • At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of information and communication technologies for development with strong technical experience in advising and implementing ICT solutions in agriculture development projects, markets/value chains development, rural finance and agritech and demonstrated understanding of development initiatives in the field of ICT4D in agricultural development,
  • Proven experience in the management of regional and/or global capacity building grants and programs for civil society organizations, in particular for producers organizations is desirable.
  • At least five (5) years of relevant experience in a multi-cultural inter- governmental organization.
  • Position-specific experience:
    • Demonstration of highly specialized technical skills in ICT4D applied to the design and coordination of agriculture and rural development projects and interventions and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues particularly focusing on thje needs of small producers and rural poor. In particular in formulating technical guidance to agricultural and rural development programs in the field of ICT4D.
    • Skill in the design and coordination of ICT4D in the context of agricultural/rural development projects and interventions and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
    • Ability to share technical guidance / knowledge at the governmental and peer levels as well as to inspire more junior specialists and programme staff in the development of viable programme activities.
    • Experience in international policy frameworks related to ICT4D applied to agricultural markets, rural finance is an asset.

Languages:

  • Required: English (4 - Excellent)
  • Another IFAD language is required: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (2 - Fair)
  • Position-specific requirement: Good skills both in speaking and drafting technical documents. Ability to apply research and impact evaluation for programs under review and at completion.

Skills:

  • 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
  • Specialized communication skills: Technical know-how relevant to the specific communication role considered (e.g. communication planning, building and maintaining media relations, video production, publishing, web and other digital media, graphic design, visual identity, brand management, internal communication and events management)
  • 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
  • Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor 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 his/her work.
  • 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.)
  • Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management
  • Social & Environmental Safeguards: Know-how in Social & Environmental complianc as specified in the IFAD's Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP)
  • Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology)
  • 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)

Other Information

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

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

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