Call for interest for Consultant - Programme Analyst, PARM, PMI Division

Organizational context

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.

Post's organizational accountability

IFAD hosts the Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM), a G20-initiative created in 2013 with the mandate to enable the integration of a holistic agricultural risk management (ARM) approach into policy planning, institutional capacities and investment in the agricultural sector of Least Developed Countries and Lower Middle-Income Countries to move away from a culture of coping with disasters towards a smart management of risk, and support building resilience in the agricultural sector. The Platform represents a unique and strategic global multi-stakeholder partnership in the area of agricultural risk management guided and supported by the EC, AFD, Italy, IFAD and Germany (through NEPAD of the AU for Africa). It also benefits from the technical assistance of a pool of international and regional multilateral partners (World Bank Group, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), African Risk Capacity (ARC); knowledge partners (Agrinatura, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), etc.); farmers organizations (ROPPA, EAFF); and private sector (CARGILL, MUNICH RE), among others.

PARM implementation is done in phases, with phase one (PARM Horizon 1) spanning over 2013-2019. The objective of this phase was to mainstream ARM at global level and enable the integration of a holistic agricultural risk management into the policy planning and investment plans in 8 African countries from Sub-Saharan Africa. The very positive results achieved by PARM during the first phase brought to the development of PARM Horizon 2 (2019-2024). During that time frame PARM will continue to bring evidence and build capacities on ARM at global and country level, but investing more resources in the design of ARM programs for investments, with a more structured involvement of public-private-partnerships and in direct support to meso-level players (extension services, financial intermediaries, women's and youth’s groups, NGOs, farmers’ enterprises and organizations).

The PARM Horizon 2 programme will be confronted with new challenges and the activities both at global and country level will be significantly intensified. The studies and assessments carried out through consultancies will increase, the KM and Capacity development events will be organized on regular basis involving international and national partners and several procurement actions will be launched in line with IFAD regulations. Also, lessons learned from the Horizon 1 and PARM final evaluation have provided clear guidance in restructuring the PARM Secretariat to ensure a more balanced workload of tasks.

In this frame, the role of the programme analyst was identified and approved by the Steering Committee to support the Secretariat in the planning, analysis and monitoring of PARM budget and expenditures. In particular, his/her tasks will broadly include monitoring of expenditures in line with the planned budget, drafting and reviewing activity reports and financial forecasts. He/she will also supports the PARM Secretariat in the development and follow-up of the procurement actions.

Key results expected / Major functional activities

In collaboration with PMI Budget Assistant, the consultant will support the PARM Secretariat in performing the following activities:

Programme budget monitoring and implementation

• Ensure compliance with applicable IFAD rules and regulations and contractual obligations with donors
• Ensure discrepancies are investigated and initiate timely corrective actions
• Analyse all budget-related issues, including monitoring of commitments on a monthly basis
• Perform other budgetary tasks which may be necessary in preparation of financial reports
• Review the programme annual report
• Develop and update the internal quarterly progress report (PARM Bulletins)
• Other reporting and monitoring tasks as requested by donors and IFAD corporate activities

Budget planning and performance monitoring

• Review, analysis, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of budget expenditure
• Coordinate the consolidation of the long-term and annual work plan and budget under the guidance of the PARM Secretariat
• Budget planning and monitor of the delivery of the programme
• Analyse of trends and forecasting of project costs by PARM components and country

Procurement and contract management

• Support the PARM Secretariat in the development, coordination and implementation of all procurement actions in preparation for procurement and finalization of agreements
• Interact with IFAD procurement unit of all procurement issues related to PARM
• Monitor and review service provider/partner contracts and agreements, including reporting deadlines and requirements
• Analyse and report on any reporting issues within service provider/partner contracts and agreements, liaising with partners/contractors as relevant
• Submit cleared reports to relevant IFAD departments
• Follow-up on urgent payments required as needed, liaising between IFAD and the service provider/partner.

Competencies

Technical and functional

• Excellent capacity of analysis and use of financial monitoring tools
• Knowledge of IFAD financial and procurement rules and regulations is asset
• Computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and common Internet applications.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree at Master level in Economics or related (Business administration, finance, economics).

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience relevant to financial management, accounting and monitoring
• Experience with international institutions and procurement procedures highly desired

Language requirements

• Full command, both written and verbal communication, in English.
• Written and verbal communication skills in French are an asset.

Other information

It must be noted that consultants are not staff of IFAD, and that this consultancy does not carry any expectation of employment with the Fund. Remuneration will be in line with the standards set for UN consultants.

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. Applicants who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.