Regional Coordinator, Pacific Islands Rural & Agricultural Stimulus (PIRAS) Facility

Organizational context

This is a two-year fixed term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds, contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion into another contract type. 

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, in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) are jointly financing the Pacific Islands Rural and Agricultural Stimulus (PIRAS) Facility in an effort to support countries in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. The goal of the PIRAS Facility is to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods and food security of rural households. Stimulating the agriculture sector of the implementing countries will support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve incomes and food & nutrition security for rural communities. The activities under the PIRAS Facility build on national measures and include regional activities to be delivered under this position as well as joint or coordinated activities with MPTF partners (ILO, UNESCO and UNDP).

The Programme Management Department (PMD), under the leadership of an Associate Vice-President, is responsible for the overall programme of loans and grants of the Fund and is composed of five (5) regional divisions and the Operational Policy and Results Division. Under the overall policy and management guidance and direct supervision of a Country Director (P-4) or a Country Director (P-5) or a Country Director/Head of the IFAD Sub-Regional Hub or a Country Director/Head of the IFAD Sub-Regional Hub/ Head, South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Knowledge Center (P-5) (Supervisor), the Regional Coordinator is responsible for coordinating programme or projects within the assigned portfolio. The Regional Coordinator’s accountabilities/key results are:

• Regional Coordination and Project Management
• Financial Management and Governance
• Stakeholder Coordinatio
• Managerial Functions

Located under the Asia and the Pacific Division (APR) of PMD, the Regional Coordinator will lead the Regional Coordination Unit based in Fiji and oversee the planning, implementation and monitoring of the PIRAS Facility in close coordination with implementing partners such as ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, World Vision, Pacific Islands Farmers Organization Network and the Project Management Units of IFAD-funded projects in Tonga and Samoa. As a key PMD team member, the Regional Coordinator enhances IFAD'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. The Regional Coordinator will in ensure close coordination with the PIRAS Facility implementing partners such as ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, World Vision, Pacific Islands Farmers Organization Network and the Project Management Units of IFAD-funded projects in Tonga and Samoa.

Key results expected / Major functional activities

1. REGIONAL COORDINATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT: The Regional Coordinator will carry out the following tasks to ensure the effective management of the PIRAS Facility:

• Coordinate between project partners and IFAD-PMUs in the execution of activities under the PIRAS Facility.
• Oversee compliance with IFAD and national government procurement processes, where IFAD funds are expected to be utilized.
• Prepare regionally-consolidated Annual Work Plans and Budgets in line with IFAD requirements.
• Build a strong working relationship with project partners and IFAD-PMUs to ensure synergy of in-country activities driven by value for money.
• Coordinate with project partners and IFAD-PMUs on the submission of their detailed expenditure reports and periodic progress reports.
• Prepare a consolidated Quarterly Project Expenditure Report and Progress Report based on the individual reports submitted by project partners and IFAD-PMUs.
• Detail a Knowledge Management and Communication Plan for the project.
• Elaborate a customized Monitoring & Evaluation Plan jointly with project partners and IFAD-PMUs, in alignment with RPSF reporting guidelines.
• Ensure Project Steering Committee (PSC) is regularly briefed on all matters relating to project execution.
• Serve as secretary to the PSC.
• In collaboration with the PSC members, project partners and IFAD-PMUs, identify key policy issues and help bring these forwards to the appropriate forum.
• Ensure that the consolidated Quarterly Project Expenditure Report and Progress Reports are prepared on a timely basis and submitted to all concerned implementing partners, PSC, and IFAD.
• Ensure the effective administration of the Regional Coordination Unit.

The Regional Coordinator will carry out the following coordination tasks to synergy in activities amongst the implementing partners of the PIRAS Facility:

• Execute regional activities (food security monitoring, ICTs and digitised agriculture, etc.) and regional knowledge sharing, under supervision of the IFAD Jakarta Hub.
• Coordinate overall programme execution with respective Governments in accordance with 6-monthly Work Plan and Budget.

2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE: The Regional Coordinator will oversee the following tasks to ensure the prudent financial management and good governance of the PIRAS Facility:

• Oversee and support the accurate and timely preparation of financial reports and submission of requisite financial statements by PIRAS implementing partners to IFAD.
• Actively promote full transparency and accountability in project implementation procedures at all times.
• Maintain close liaison with IFAD Financial Officer based in Jakarta Hub to keep abreast of financial management related issues facing existing IFAD-funded projects participating in PIRAS.
• Support IFAD PMUs in the amendments if and when required, to existing financing agreements to facilitate project implementation.

3. STAKEHOLDER COORDINATON: The Regional Coordinator will carry out the following coordination tasks to ensure effective coordination amongst stakeholders of the PIRAS Facility:

• Convene partner meetings and organize launch and other media events.
• Organize regular briefings on project implementation progress internally as well as for external funders and stakeholders (Government agencies of Agriculture, Commerce and Labour, IFAD Project Management Units, and regional partners such as the Pacific Community).
• Update the UN Resident Coordinator and coordinate with broader UN family activities for COVID19 recovery and agriculture digitization.
• Establish delivery strategy and execution and contribute to technical programming and progress reviews jointly with implementing partner institutions of the UN, namely ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, FAO, WFP and IFAD, and track collective progress towards the achievement of project outputs and outcomes.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Regional Coordinator is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.

Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

The Regional Coordinator maintains the standards for IFAD’s competence in development in his/her assigned portfolio. S/He has demonstrated technical expertise and credibility in portfolio management and creates the foundation for IFAD’s capacity and reputation for programme delivery and enhances its recognition as a reliable development partner. S/He provides substantive support in the development of country strategy, project design, partnership building and policy development and 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 Regional Coordinator 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 collaboration 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:

• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Strong planning, management, and organisational skills, including experience in supervising staff.
• Understanding and commitment to community development and gender equality principles.
• Demonstrated capacity to work successfully within a multi-disciplinary, decentralised environment.
• Proven ability to liaise effectively with a range of people from diverse backgrounds and various abilities and beliefs.
• Computer literacy with strong skills in word processing and some skills in the use of spreadsheets.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education: 

• Advanced degree in agricultural economics, economics, business administration, forestry, agriculture, public administration or related discipline with sound knowledge of contemporary issues in the Pacific and natural resource management.

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years’ progressively responsible professional experience in management and coordination of internationally financed development Programmes.
• He/ She would be expected to have a creative, energetic and pragmatic approach to problem solving and an appreciation of the respective roles of the public and private sectors in rural economic development and natural resource management.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Other information

In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, staff 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.

This is a two-year fixed term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds, contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion into another contract type.