Director, Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE)

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 Independent Office of Evaluation for IFAD (IOE) evaluates IFAD-funded projects and programmes to assess what works and what doesn¿t, and to determine how far IFAD¿s policies and strategies are successful in rural transformation. IOE's evaluation is based on a coherent set of evaluation methodologies. In identifying key insights and recommendations drawn from evaluation findings, IOE is also concerned, in keeping with IFAD¿s disclosure policy, with communicating and sharing IFAD¿s knowledge and experience of rural and agricultural development with a wider audience. Recipients of IOE¿s evaluation knowledge include IFAD Management and staff, the Evaluation Committee, the Executive Board, government officials and project staff in the field, as well as the public at large.  

In line with the Revised IFAD Evaluation Policy (the ¿Evaluation Policy¿), the IOE multi-year strategy (2022-2027) and the Evaluation Manual (2022), the Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE) reports directly to the IFAD Executive Board (EB). Drawing from the international norms and standards as outlined by the Evaluation Cooperation Group, United Nations Evaluation Group and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ¿ Development Assistance Committee, the evaluation function at IFAD is driven by the following set of six key principles: usefulness, impartiality and credibility, transparency, partnership, consultation and collaboration, evaluability, and value for money/cost effectiveness. The IFAD Evaluation Policy also states that the IOE Director will ensure that IOE is staffed by independent-minded, experienced evaluators. The IOE regularly undergoes External Peer Reviews to inform and further guide the evaluation function. As such, the IOE Director would be responsible for the implementation of recommendations pertaining to the Office.  

Reporting directly to the Executive Board of IFAD and working in collaboration with IFAD Management, the Director, IOE is responsible for managing IOE as the independent evaluation function of the Fund in accordance with its rules and procedures. 

The Director is responsible for managing the IOE. The Director provides strategic leadership, innovation and management. The Director is responsible for managing and supervising the delivery of the offices programme of work within the allocated budget.

The main purpose of the position is to ensure that independent evaluation contributes to IFAD's strategy by improving IFAD policies, strategies and operations throughout their life cycle, by providing necessary evidence-based analysis in a timely manner to decision makers. As such, a robust evaluation policy is key to enhancing the development and organizational effectiveness of the Fund.

1. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND VISION: The Director provides strategic direction and a clear vision for the role of evaluation within IFAD and translates that vision into medium and long-term strategies for IOE.  

2. COMMUNICATION, PARTNERSHIPS AND REPRESENTATION: The Director serves as designated representative of the independent evaluation function of the Fund. He/she catalyse effective partnerships, internally and externally, including with Member States and a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, international financial institutions (IFls), non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. The IOE Director represents the independent evaluation function of the Fund as a trusted and credible partner in policy dialogue, negotiates on IOE¿s behalf and represents IOE in relevant official United Nations committees and networks, and in IFls, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and global conferences, and build organizational networks with peers in major private, public and international institutions.¿The Director utilizes tailored communication adapted to diverse audiences to command attention, credibility and respect.  

3. MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES: The Director is responsible for ensuring the transparent, equitable, and efficient management of the Offices resources, including human, financial, and material resources. This includes managing staff through workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and career development. The Director is also responsible for managing the division's budget, ensuring accountability and fiduciary integrity. Additionally, the Director is responsible for managing material resources and promoting knowledge and content management to achieve innovative outcomes and cost-effective processes. The Director also leverages information technology to improve business results, reporting processes, and client services.  

4. TECHNICAL AND EVALUATION SPECIFIC EXPERTISE: The Director has in-depth knowledge of the methodologies used across the international development agencies for programme and project evaluation analysis, and proven expertise managing an evaluation function or programme. The Director has experience applying advanced technologies, including AI and advanced analytics, to evaluation work, demonstrating innovation in evaluation practice.  

The Director IOE¿s main responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage IOE as an effective, efficient and independent evaluation function of IFAD;
• Develop operational policies, strategies and related instruments to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the independent evaluation function; 
• Ensure high-quality professional work by instituting the necessary enabling environment for and coaching of IOE staff, and setting quality standards for IOE outputs; 
• Oversee the quality control of IOE evaluation deliverables; 
• Formulate and implement the annual work programme and budget, reporting directly to the Executive Board on evaluation issues; 
• Communicate evaluation results to partners and the general public; 
• Ensure that evaluation knowledge and lessons are fed in a timely manner into key IFAD processes for the formulation of policies, strategies and operations; 
• Promote dialogue and exchanges with Management, senior IFAD officials and Executive Board members on evaluation issues of critical importance to IFAD; 
• Assist IFAD's operations and partner countries in their evaluation capacity development; and 
• Represent IFAD in the United Nations Evaluation Group and the Evaluation Cooperation Group of the multilateral development banks. 

The Director IOE's impact extends beyond the successful achievement of IOE goals and objectives to include broader corporate evaluation goals and objectives in strategic planning and collaboration. The expected results directly and/or indirectly benefit the ultimate stakeholders, the rural poor in developing countries.

The key performance indicators for the Director include leadership in viable strategic planning, authoritative and relevant policy development and approval, sustainable programme decisions and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of IOE's human, financial and material resources assigned to the office.

Externally, the Director develops strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships with IFAD and external counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFIs, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. The incumbent has the authority to communicate and interact directly with members of the Executive Board, with in-country partners, and with others outside the Fund, as appropriate for the undertaking of evaluations and is also accountable for the provision of authoritative advice during Executive Board sessions, Evaluation Committee meetings, the annual Governing Council and related subsidiary bodies including the audit and evaluation committees.  

Internally, the Director IOE provides authoritative and independent advice to the EB and the President, on the office's vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational management. The incumbent is accountable for managing and coordinating the Office to ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme planning and activities.¿The Director IOE is responsible for coordinating relations between OPV, IFAD's senior management and IOE in the implementation of the Fund's mandate and programme of work.  

Organizational Competencies:

• 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:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a field related to IFAD's work; a doctorate-level degree would be desirable. 
• At least fifteen (15) years of which at least eight (8) years at a senior level of substantive experience in the formulation, analysis and evaluation of development programmes and policies, especially those supported by international financial institutions, the United Nations or other multilateral development agencies. 
• Experience in leading the evaluation of programmes and policies supported by International Financial Institutions, the United Nations or other multilateral development agencies and/or experience working with these entities. 
• Experience in leading, supervising and managing large teams of people with diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, preferably in an international and intergovernmental setting.
• Successful track record in building partnerships with various stakeholders. 
• Work experience in developing countries (other than home country) in the analysis and evaluation of development programmes is desirable. 
• Experience in the analysis of agricultural and rural development issues at the international level is desirable. 
• Experience in programmes and policies supported by International Financial Institutions, the United Nations or other multilateral development agencies and/or experience working with these entities is a strong asset. 
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with governing bodies of multilateral institutions or similar governance entities is desirable.

Skills:

(i) Leadership & Management

• 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. 
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance, learning management, establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. 
• Planning: Know-how in the planning of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources. 
• Resources management: Know-how in the management of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources. 
• Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented. 
• 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. 
• 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.

(ii) Strategic Vision

• Strategy implementation: Strategic mindset and experience in strategic planning of IOE activities, ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions. 
  Corporate approach: Ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one's area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities). 
• 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. 
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner, advocating and promoting IFAD's mandate and vision; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society. 
• 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.). 
• Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice. 
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector.

(iii) Technical / Analytical Expertise

Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation). 
Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management.

Position specifics:

• Evaluation: Knowledge of methodologies used among international development agencies for programme and project evaluation and analysis. Knowledge of and experience in management of evaluation programmes. 
• Innovation: Propensity for innovation and change and results-oriented decision-making ability, with an aptitude for developing practical solutions for operational challenges. Experience in the use of advanced technologies, including AI and advanced analytics among others. 
• Visionary: ability to promote and model vision and values; build support for the mandate toward achieving a vision; and inspire others to translate vision and values into day-to-day activities and behaviours. 
• Leader: ability to provide others with a clear direction; inspire staff members to perform their duties willingly, competently and enthusiastically; imaginatively direct, guide and influence goals by mediating between individuals and the organization in such a manner that both gain maximum satisfaction; lead by example and talent; and perform a directing role and exert influence over others. 
• Negotiator and communicator: ability to clarify situations by exploring all parties' needs, concerns and positions; facilitate by structuring interactions towards productive conclusions, affirming what was heard and decided, encouraging expression and debate, gauging acceptance of solutions, fostering conflict resolution and seeking win-win solutions; and engage audiences, commanding attention and respect and inspiring credibility. 

In accordance with the Revised IFAD Evaluation Policy, the Director, IOE is appointed by the Executive Board for a single, non-renewable term of six years, with terms equivalent to D-2 rank positions at IFAD. The Director, IOE is not eligible for other staff positions in IFAD upon completion of the term.  

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 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.

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