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Country Programme Analyst

Bujumbura

  • Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • Location: Bujumbura
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement Number 1983
Date of Issue 12/01/2021
Deadline for Applications 04/02/2021
Organizational Unit East & Southern Africa Div.
Duty Station BUJUMBURA
Duration of Assignment 2 years

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

Under the overall policy and management guidance and direct supervision of the Country Director, the Country Programme Officer is responsible for established programme/project coordination. The CPO’s accountabilities/key results are:

  • Country Office Support
  • Country Programme Support
  • Partnership Building
  • Policy Development/Knowledge Management

Key results expected / Major functional activities

1. COUNTRY OFFICE SUPPORT: The Country Programme Officer is accountable for day-to-day administration and reporting in support of the CD and for supervision of assigned Country Programme Associate / Assistant. In addition to human resources management, s/he has accountability for financial and material resources and related processes including managing contracts for services. S/He provides inputs to budget preparation and monitors expenditures, manages contract completion and certifies payments.

2. COUNTRY PROGRAMME SUPPORT: The Country Programme Officer enhances the technical quality of IFAD country activities through programme (COSOP) and project (grants and loans) design, supervision, implementation, monitoring and evaluation (RIMS), reporting (PSR) and completion (PCR) activities. S/He also provides substantive contributions toward the development of advice and technical guidance in support of sustainable government strategies, policies and programmes in agricultural development and rural poverty reduction. The Country Programme Officer is further accountable for capacity building activities including identifying, analyzing, documenting, harmonizing and disseminating both national and local issues as well as conditions and best practices and lessons learned among partner development agencies.  Capacity building activities will include coordinating meetings, workshops and seminars with project management teams, government, partners and other stakeholders.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: As a key country team member, the Country Programme Officer enhances the CO’s relationships and collaborations with in-country counterparts through the identification of synergies and proposing coordinated strategies with multilateral/bilateral donors and civil-society organizations involved in agricultural development and rural poverty reduction. S/He establishes and maintains counterpart contacts to promote programme and project collaboration and harmonization as well as identifies financing opportunities with other donors.

4. POLICY DEVELOPMENT/KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: As a key country team member, the Country Programme Officer participates in relevant policy meetings and events of interest to IFAD’s target groups and which involve the government, donors, and civil society, including NGOs, in order to develop an enabling environment for sustainable, pro-poor development. The Country Programme Officer provides programme/project continuity in the country as well as substantive national cultural, political and economic or other development knowledge. From this perspective his/her participation in policy dialogue pertains to analyses of evidenced based recommendations from projects, analyzing their viability, making proposals and sharing the findings.   This national perspective serves to enhance the linkage between the realities on the ground and the voices of the poor with the policies and programmes of the government as well as to ensure that regional programmes benefit from local initiatives that may be replicated.

5. Country Programme Officers may be requested to travel to neighboring countries to lend assistance for up to but not exceeding one calendar month in a year.

6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Country Programme Officer is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.


Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

Demonstrated technical expertise and credibility in country portfolio management creates the foundation for IFAD’s capacity and reputation for programme delivery and enhances its recognition as a reliable development partner. The Country Programme Officer maintains the standards for IFAD’s competence in development at the field level. Substantive support in the development of country strategy, project design, partnership building and policy development provides the foundation for enhancing sustainable government strategies and policies to improve the livelihoods of the poor and other disadvantaged groups.


Representation / Work relationships

In the context of programme development and delivery, the Country Programme Officer ensures the exchange of information, advocates for programme and policy enhancements and ensures consistency and reliability in the provision of development assistance to the government. In collaborations with other members of the UN country team, bi-lateral development agencies, NGOs and country programme counterparts s/he establishes and maintains relationships and projects the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for harmonization of development activities.


Competencies

Organizational:

  • Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
  • Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change (Level 1)
  • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates (Level 1)
  • Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients (Level 1)
  • Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability (Level 1)
  • Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively (Level 1)
  • Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team (Level 1)
  • Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others (Level 1)
  • Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships (Level 1)
  • Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively (Level 1)

Technical/Functional:

  • Thorough knowledge of and proven experience in results based agriculture rural development projects.
  • Thorough understanding of national development strategies and programmes, government structure and partner development initiatives.
  • Good knowledge of pro-poor policy approaches.
  • Strong analytical skills in order to identify systemic issues, both programmatic and operational, and develop viable solutions. Analytical skills are also essential for identifying opportunities to promote new strategies and initiatives with HQ, partner agencies and national government counterparts.
  • Communicate effectively with different counterparts (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff). Listens effectively to engage others.
  • Writes clearly, succinctly and convincingly in English.
  • Computer skills: thorough knowledge of PeopleSoft ERP as well as full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and common Internet applications.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education:

  • Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in rural development, agriculture, economics, rural finance, development policy or other job related fields. In the absence of an advanced degree and additional two (2) years of professional experience is required.

Experience:

  • At least five (5) years’ progressively responsible professional experience in programme design, supervision and loan/grant administration with International financial institutions, development cooperation agencies, etc.

Language requirements:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.

Other information

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.

This position is only open to nationals of Burundi. IFAD is committed to achieving gender diversity. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.


This vacancy is now closed.
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