Chief, Quality Assurance and SECAP Unit

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 brings together complementary functions that support the quality, effectiveness and learning value of IFAD operations. Within this structure, the Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit (QAS) serves as the principal interface between ODE and operational teams across the Fund. QAS provides an independent, arms-length quality assurance function for country strategies, sovereign and non-sovereign operations, grants, and relevant operational policies and procedures. Its role is to ensure that IFAD-supported investments are technically sound, evidence-based, implementable, aligned with corporate priorities and compliant with applicable social, environmental and climate safeguards standards throughout the project cycle. In doing so, QAS supports project delivery teams and senior management with authoritative advice on quality at entry, risk management, safeguards compliance, mainstreaming commitments and the consistent application of operational standards.

Chiefs are responsible for managing a Fund division or office and serve on IFAD's senior management team. The main focus of Chiefs positions is strategic leadership, innovation and management. Most typically as a member of a departmental management team, they are responsible for managing and supervising the delivery of a division's work programme within an allocated budget.

The Chief, Quality Assurance and Safeguards (QAS), is responsible for directing and managing the QAS division and serves on IFAD's senior management team. The incumbent ensures the quality assurance of IFAD operations, including project design and implementation for loans and grants. This includes serving as Secretary of the OSC and overseeing quality assurance processes for both loans and grants. The incumbent also manages the Unit's knowledge management activities, builds strategic partnerships, and oversees the Unit's administrative management, including human resources, budget and planning.

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE OF IFAD OPERATIONS: The Chief, Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit, is responsible for leading and managing the QAS function as IFAD's corporate quality assurance platform for operational strategies, investment operations, grants and related review processes. The Chief oversees the planning, coordination and delivery of quality assurance reviews across the full range of products reviewed by QAS, including Country Strategic Opportunities Programmes (COSOPs), sovereign loan and non-sovereign concept notes, project design reports (PDRs), non-sovereign operation project appraisal reports (PARs), additional financing proposals, project completion reports (PCRs), grants and other operational documents, instruments and processes as required. The Chief manages the team of reviewers and the Unit's internal support functions, ensuring coherence, consistency, timeliness and quality in the provision of review services. The incumbent also oversees the relevant secretariat functions hosted or supported by QAS, including the QAS secretariat, the grants secretariat and related committee or corporate review processes. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Chief promotes streamlined procedures, effective coordination across functions, sound knowledge management, and the development and periodic updating of policies, procedures, guidance, tools and systems that strengthen the quality, effectiveness and accountability of IFAD's operational products. In particular, they perform the following activities:

• Provide strategic leadership, advice and support to senior management on quality assurance, safeguards and related operational review processes, ensuring that QAS services are responsive to corporate priorities, operational needs and institutional accountability requirements.
• Oversee the preparation, coordination and delivery of quality assurance reviews for the full range of products reviewed by QAS, including COSOPs, sovereign loan concept notes, PDRs, PARs, additional financing, PCRs, grants and other operational products, ensuring consistency, timeliness and quality of review outputs.
• Manage the QAS team of reviewers and the Unit's internal support functions, allocating work, promoting coherent review standards, strengthening cross-functional collaboration and ensuring effective support to operational teams throughout the review cycle.
• Oversee the secretariat functions hosted or supported by QAS, including the QAS secretariat, the grants secretariat and related committee or corporate review processes, ensuring clear documentation, follow-up, issue tracking and timely communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the continuous improvement of quality assurance policies, procedures, guidance, tools and systems, including platforms and knowledge products that support evidence-based reviews, institutional learning and the dissemination of quality-at-entry findings and recommendations.
• Promote coherence between quality assurance, safeguards, grants management and operational effectiveness by coordinating with relevant divisions and corporate functions, identifying systemic issues and supporting the development of practical solutions that improve the quality and impact of IFAD operations.

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING: The Chief, QAS, leads the generation, management and dissemination of knowledge arising from quality assurance, safeguards and related review processes. The incumbent ensures that review findings, quality-at-entry analysis, lessons learned, systemic issues and good practices are captured, synthesized and translated into practical guidance, tools, reports and learning products for operational teams and senior management. The Chief promotes the effective use of systems and platforms, including appropriate use of AI and digital technologies, that support evidence-based reviews, corporate reporting, portfolio analysis and institutional learning, and encourages the consistent application of knowledge to strengthen the design, implementation and completion of IFAD operations.

3. PARTNERSHIPS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: The Chief, QAS, builds and maintains effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the quality, relevance and effectiveness of QAS services. Internally, the incumbent works with senior management, operational teams, regional divisions, technical and safeguards functions, grants-related functions, corporate review bodies and other relevant offices to promote coherent review standards and timely advice. Externally, the Chief engages, as appropriate, with quality assurance counterparts, development partners, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies and other relevant institutions to exchange knowledge, promote learning and contribute to good practice in operational quality assurance and safeguards.

4. PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT: The Chief, QAS, is accountable for the effective, transparent and equitable management of the Unit's human, financial and material resources. The incumbent leads work planning, budget preparation and monitoring, performance management, staff development, contract management and administrative processes, ensuring that resources are aligned with QAS priorities and IFAD's corporate objectives. The Chief fosters a cohesive, collaborative and results-oriented team culture, supports staff performance and development, and ensures that internal management systems enable timely delivery, accountability and continuous improvement.

Within IFAD's overall Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan, Chiefs establish IFAD's priorities for and provide leadership to division level programme and operational management activities and are accountable for a results-based approach to meeting assigned goals and objectives. Leadership activities include the optimum utilization of human, financial, technology and material resources for the achievement of greater efficiency and effectiveness. The incumbents' impact extends beyond the successful achievement of divisional goals and objectives to include larger departmental goals and objectives in strategic planning collaboration. The expected results indirectly benefit the ultimate stakeholders. The key performance indicators for Chiefs include leadership in viable strategic planning, authoritative and relevant policy development and advice, sustainable programme decisions and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of the Fund's human, financial and material resources assigned to the division.

The Chief, QAS, provides technical, strategic and managerial leadership for IFAD's corporate quality assurance and safeguards function. Key performance indicators include the effective management of review processes, secretariat services, knowledge and learning products, partnerships, and human and financial resources, including:

• Timely, consistent and high-quality delivery of QAS reviews across the full range of operational products, including COSOPs, sovereign and non-sovereign concept notes, PDRs, PARs, additional financing, PCRs, grants and other review instruments.
• Effective coordination and management of the QAS team of reviewers, internal support functions, the QAS secretariat, the grants secretariat and related corporate review processes.
• Demonstrable contribution to operational quality, safeguards compliance, risk management and institutional learning through evidence-based advice, practical recommendations, knowledge products, guidance, tools, systems and the appropriate use of AI and other digital technologies.
• Sound stewardship of QAS resources, work planning and partnerships, including transparent management of human and financial resources, effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and alignment of QAS priorities with IFAD's Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan.

Within IFAD, Chiefs provide authoritative advice to senior management on the division's or office's vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational management. They are accountable for collaboration and coordination within the Fund to ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme planning and activities.

Externally, Chiefs develop partnerships and collaborative relationships with counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFls, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization.

Chiefs represent the Fund in official United Nations committees and networks, and in international financial institution, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and conferences upon request of the President, and build organizational networks with peers in major private, public and international financial institutions.

The Chief, QAS, provides strategic advice and direct support to the Vice-President. The incumbent holds regular consultations with IFAD counterparts in DCO and OTD regarding the technical review consultation and Quality Assurance review for COSOPs, sovereign and non-sovereign operations and grants. For learning and knowledge management products, the incumbent will additionally engage with other ODE divisions, OTD divisions and the Independent Office of Evaluation. With regards to reporting on IFAD's annual quality assurance performance which is reported in the RIDE, the incumbent will engage with Executive Board members and the public.

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 job related field
• Areas - economics, development studies, or a closely related subject.   
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on  

(*) 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 of progressively responsible professional experience in technically related area of operations in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope; 

• Recognised management skills in a multicultural setting, combined with ability to achieve results through motivating people and influencing partners.
• Proven leadership capacity and ability to lead interdisciplinary teams.
• Builds strategic alliances and enhances IFAD identity with clients.
• Knowledge of policy oriented, programme based pro-poor approaches and loan and grant preparation.
• Extensive field experience related to agricultural and rural development.
• Senior expert in programme development and management as well as specific expertise in rural project management and market development.

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent) 
• Desirable: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (3 - Good)

Skills:

• Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD's vision to external actors
• 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
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Business process improvement: Know-how in business process improvement to advise and support clients to build systems and processes with sound internal controls and business efficiency.
• 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
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals.
• 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
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• 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 their work.
• 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)
• Integrity and ethics: Strong emphasis on acting with honesty, not tolerating unethical behaviour, demonstrating equity, impartiality and sensitivity in exercising authority and interacting with staff, and other  stakeholders. Conduct must be guided by IFAD core values, the Code of conduct and a high sense of ethics.
• 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.
• 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
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• 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

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.

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