Job Title : Technical Analyst (Junior Professional Officer Programme - Finland)

ID : 34229

Location : ROME

Date of issue : 02/24/2026

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 03/20/2026

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

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Regular

Assignment Duration : 1 Years

Grade : P-2

Organizational Setting

This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme sponsored by the Government of Finland.

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.

Position Specific: IFAD is seeking the services of a Junior Professional Officer to strengthen PMI's capacity to support IFAD's Water and Rural Infrastructure (WRI) Programmes. Specifically, the JPO will provide technical expertise and support to country-level operations in selected countries and at the global level pertaining to digital solutions for water and rural infrastructure, including investment programmes and grants. The proposed JPO position financed by Finland will deepen cooperation in the areas of digital solutions for water security and water infrastructure, with focus on the mainstreaming of innovative solutions and technologies for climate resilient water management in rural development programs. The JPO will support IFAD in scaling up innovative practices and technologies for improved irrigation management, watershed planning, rural water supply systems and the digitalisation of infrastructure monitoring. This will include the integration of geospatial tools, remote sensing, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT)-based water data systems and digital platforms that enhance decision-making for farmers, public development banks and government partners. In addition, the JPO will also assist the WRI to identify, develop and implement innovative solutions for smart and resilient water infrastructure and digital solutions for water infrastructure and irrigation systems management and operation, including resource management tools (i.e. drought management and monitoring) to be tested and piloted within IFAD's operations supporting project Teams as required, including participation in project identification and design missions, as well as supporting the team in the engagement with partners from scientific, academic and private sector institutions and IFAD's participation in technical and sectorial workshops and forums as needed. The JPO will provide also support for the Knowledge Management related activities of the Water and Infrastructure desk.

Moreover, the JPO will contribute to some knowledge management activities as, South-South exchange and IFAD's participation in international platforms focused on water innovation and digital rural transformation, such as the World Water Week, the Water and Climate Coalition, UN Water Conference 2026, World Water Forum, as well as other relevant Finland-initiated platforms or initiatives on sustainable water management, diplomacy and digital governance. The JPO will also support donor reporting, policy dialogue and strengthened engagement with Finnish institutions, academia and technology providers.

In addition, the JPO will support the WRI Desk and the Lead Global Technical Specialist ( Water and Rural Infrastructure ) in the coordination of activities (with focus in innovation and innovative finance) within the UN Water Working Group and the support of the Office of the President, current UN Water Chair.

Part of the JPO's role will be to help institutionalise lessons from Finnish-supported projects and explore their integration into IFAD's country investment portfolios

  • particularly in arid, water-scarce and climate-vulnerable regions in Africa, Middle East and Asia. This includes contributing to the design of new proposals under IFAD12 and IFAD13 that promote climate-smart rural infrastructure, nature-based water management and digital advisory services for smallholders.

By supporting this position, the Government of Finland will reinforce IFAD's capacity to deliver climate-resilient water solutions, sustainable infrastructure and digital innovation for rural communities, while advancing mutual priorities on sustainable natural resources management, climate adaptation and inclusive digital transformation.

Job Role

The JPO will collaborate with other Specialists, both within IFAD and with external partners, to ensure the effective integration of sustainable feed and fodder value chain development into IFAD-supported projects and programmes. The JPO will provide sound technical analysis, advice, and operational support to water and rural infrastructure-related projects to enhance their sustainability and productivity. The JPO will contribute to country programme analysis, providing technical inputs to strengthen project design, implementation, and supervision.

Position specific: The JPO will work closely with the Lead Global Technical Specialist - Water and Rural Infrastructure in providing technical expertise and support at all stages of programme design, development, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) , as well as in knowledge management (KM) related activities. S/He will work with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Programme Managers and other staff to ensure high quality designs, expert advice and implementation support are provided to IFAD projects and programmes in digital solutions for water management and infrastructure. By the end of the assignment, s/he would have gained experience in the implementation of lending and non-lending activities in IFAD country programs (investment portfolio, knowledge management, policy engagement) and in the partnership with different development partners (Governments, multilateral and bilateral agencies, private sector and foundations) and with the relevant water sector organizations at the country, regional and international levels. S/he will also gain experience in donor coordination and results-based reporting aligned with Finland aid priorities.

Key Functions and Results

1.ANALYTICAL SUPPORT AND DATA MANAGEMENT: The JPO collates and analyses data to support the economic and financial status of project design reports. The JPO is responsible for data analysis of country assessment reports for divisional programme/project activities in the region. The JPO provides analytical inputs to corporate regional reports and documents and develops alternative and creative solutions for effective data management in the Division. The JPO participates in project cycle activities and meetings, such as Project Delivery Teams and quality review meetings, as required.

2. MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND SYSTEMATIZATION SUPPORT: The JPO works in close collaboration with the R egional T eam to support the monitoring and results reporting activities required for Knowledge Management (KM) and portfolio management in the region, including responsibilities for ensuring compliance with procedures, knowledge management and results reporting of the regional grants programme. The JPO reviews, and analyses data derived from project performance reports, and provides input to the Lead Portfolio Advisor or Lead Regional Economist on rigorous results measurement analysis and to the Regional Specialist to support development of knowledge products and documentation of lessons learned in order to reinforce M&E capabilities of the Project Management Unit's (PMU's) across the country portfolios in the Division. The JPO supports the effectiveness of knowledge sharing activities in the region by data collection and analysis and systematization required for portfolio management The JPO simultaneously interacts closely with other regional division teams and keeps abreast of all relevant corporate changes and reforms having an impact on data management tools and categorization. The JPO assists in formulating position papers, briefs, analyses and short papers on related subjects for the Director in collaboration with the Regional Specialist.

3. REGIONAL OR COUNTRY PROGRAMME SUPPORT: The JPO drafts regular and periodic reports on project, country programme or thematic issues, including lessons learned from design and implementation support experiences. The JPO will support country teams in select operational matters and cross-cutting themes through participation in field missions as determined by the Regional Team based on demand and regional priorities. The JPO will also support the Regional Team through the identification of potential partners, development initiatives and best practices and maintains counterpart contacts needed to promote programme, partnership as well as implementation support.

4. POLICY ANALYSIS SUPPORT: As a member of the Regional Team, the JPO participates in select policy meetings and events of priority interest to the region, analyses policy implications and identifies opportunities for innovations and knowledge sharing. The JPO reviews programme evaluation reports, aggregates results and shares knowledge on best operational practices in collaboration with the Regional Team to improve project designs and effective delivery of programmes in the region. The JPO contributes to the development of knowledge management products and organization of learning events on emerging issues, themes and innovations of particular relevance for the region in close collaboration with the Regional Specialist and relevant country teams.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The JPO performs a coordinating role in the front office, working closely with divisional and programme staff, including Programme Liaison Associates, to ensure maximum efficiency and systematization of programme processes in adherence to corporate requirements. The JPO is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.

Position Specific:

  • Provide technical support to IFAD-financed programmes on water management and rural infrastructure by collecting, synthesising and applying data and digital tools in the design, implementation, monitoring and supervision of investment projects, including through participation in field missions.
  • Support the integration and scaling-up of digital innovations (e.g. remote sensing, Geographic Information System ( GIS ) , IoT-based water monitoring, early warning systems, digital infrastructure mapping) piloted in IFAD and Finland-supported projects into IFAD country programmes, particularly in water-stressed regions.
  • Contribute to the operationalisation of climate-resilient rural water systems including irrigation, watershed management, water harvesting, solar-powered pumping, and nature-based solutions in line with the Food System Integrated Programme (FSIP) and IFAD12/13 priorities.
  • Promote the inclusion of women and youth in digital water management, agritech entrepreneurship, and green infrastructure employment, ensuring that solutions are accessible, affordable and socially inclusive.
  • Support knowledge generation and dissemination by analysing and systematising experiences, lessons and innovations from IFAD projects on digital water and infrastructure solutions, producing technical briefs, knowledge notes, blogs, reports and multimedia content.
  • Review project documents and technical reports to improve the quality of IFAD project design, supervision, infrastructure standards, environmental safeguards and digital innovation components.
  • Support IFAD's engagement with Finland and other development partners, ensuring technical activities align with Finnish development policy priorities (digitalisation, water security, climate resilience and circular economy), in close coordination with the Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization ( GPR ) .
  • Develop and strengthen partnerships with Finnish institutions, universities, digital technology providers, Nordic Development Fund (NDF), UN agencies (FAO, WFP), Multilateral Development Banks ( MDBs ) and regional organizations working on digital agriculture, water governance and rural infrastructure.
  • Enhance IFAD's participation in global platforms on water, digital climate services and innovation, such as the Global Water Partnership (GWP), Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability (CODES), NDF Nordic Water and Sanitation Initiatives, and other Finland-supported forums.
  • Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts by supporting the preparation of concept notes, donor briefs, proposals and results reports to inform Finland and other partners, leveraging technical achievements for visibility and financing.
  • Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Supervisor or Divisional Director.

Key Performance Indicators

Compliance of operations with IFAD rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational policies and approaches, establishment of project management assessment tools and up-to-date information and learning tools. Assignment requires 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 involves technical analysis and synthesis of data, technical inputs for systematization required for portfolio reviews, knowledge products, and effective tools for the assessment of regional portfolio performance evaluation. The work requires in-depth technical analysis and reporting.

Working Relationships

In the context of programme development and delivery, the JPO ensures the exchange of technical information. The JPO builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with counterparts and other partners to enhance consistency and reliability in the provision of development assistance to governments. In work relationships with counterparts, the JPO establishes and maintains relationships and projects the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for harmonization of development activities.

Position specific: The JPO will be based in IFAD's Headquarters in Rome for the first two years, with the possibility of being reallocated to the regional office in Asia located in Bangkok to support national or regional teams on the third year, depending on business needs. The JPO will work under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Director PMI and under the technical guidance, mentorship and direct supervision of the Senior Global Technical Specialist (Water and Rural Infrastructure). The JPO will collaborate closely with IFAD's Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) to align country-level engagement with strategic donor priorities, particularly engagement with Nordic Member States. S/he will also work collaboratively with other thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Country Programme Officers (CPOs) and other relevant staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the delivery of technical support to country programmes and partnership development for rural poverty reduction.

During the first two years of assignment, the JPO will provide support to the Water and Infrastructure Team on the operational and analytical portfolio at global level, focusing his/her support (but not limited) on the following priority countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Kenya, Central Asia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Palestinian territory, Somalia, Tanzania, and Ukraine

The JPO will prepare an annual work programme and performance plan within the first month of the assignment, reviewed by the supervisor. Supervision and feedback will be provided as needed to monitor and support his/her performance and professional growth. Mid-year review and annual review will help to analyse performance and plan personal career development - which is at the core of the programme.

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
  • Areas - Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Irrigation and Drainage, Hydrology, Climate Change Adaptation, Agricultural Engineering, Digital Technologies for Development, Rural Infrastructure, or other relevant fields.
  • Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.
  • A Ph D on a relevant area related to the position description will be an asset

Experience:

  • At least two (2) years of relevant experience is required.
  • Experience in a role providing analytical support within an international financial institution, development cooperation agencies and/or the United Nations system is desirable.
  • In addition, qualifying experience in drafting analytical documents, producing reports on tight deadlines would be an asset .

Position specific:

  • At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas would be an advantage:
  • Water resources management, irrigation, watershed or climate-resilient rural infrastructure;
  • Digital technologies applied to agriculture and rural development (e.g. GIS, remote sensing, IoT-based water monitoring, digital platforms, climate information services);
  • Work with international organizations, government institutions, development agencies, research centres or NGOs in rural development, infrastructure, climate adaptation or water governance;
  • Collaboration with public institutions, local governments, water user associations, rural communities or private sector partners in the planning or implementation of water and infrastructure projects.

Languages:

  • Required: English (4 - Excellent)
  • Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic
  • Spoken and written knowledge of either Finnish or Swedish

Skills:

  • Economic evaluation: Know-how relevant to specific role in Evaluation roles (e.g. Monitoring and managing evaluation processes and methodologies, carrying out Programme/Project evaluation, Impact evaluation, Corporate-level evaluation)
  • IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate, such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors
  • Data management: Data collection, cleaning, transformation and consolidation; data-base architecture & development; data presentation
  • 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
  • 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
  • Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
  • 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)
  • 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.)
  • Topical expertise - Programme Management for Agricultural Development: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. For ethics office assistant, procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct, Discipline and Anti-harassment provisions of applicable rules and guidelines)

Other Information

Training components:

  • Participation in mandatory trainings organized by the People and Culture Division (PCD) .
  • Participation in PMI trainings and external training providers.
  • Participation in in-house training offered by other IFAD Divisions.
  • Direct coaching by the supervisor

Learning elements:

  • The exposure to all facets of IFAD Sustainable Production and Value Chain desks will provide the JPO with clear and practical insights into the planning, implementation, management and administration of development activities.
  • The organizational role of the JPO will ensure that they gain comprehensive understanding of the working of a UN agency and Development Financial Institution.
  • The learning will be achieved through structured courses, on-the job coaching, assignments of increasingly responsible tasks and gradual exposure to many facets of IFAD's work. It will be gradual and will continue throughout the JPO period.

Other Information

Note: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme sponsored by the Government of Finland.

General requirements for the JPO Programme of Finland:

Please read the vacancy announcement carefully. In addition to the job specific requirements outlined in the above, the following requirements are applicable:

  • Finnish citizenship
  • Spoken and written knowledge of either Finnish or Swedish
  • Maximum of 32 years of age as of the closing date of the application
  • Master's degree

Other Information

IMPORTANT! Please note that we are unable to accept and process any application outside the system. Therefore, when applying, please allow sufficient time to prepare and submit your application before the closing date, including the time to request technical support during office hours, should you encounter any system issues (contact erecruit@ifad.org).

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, staff members are subject to the authority of the President who 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 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. Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

Applicants will receive acknowledgement of receipt of their submission.

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