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Programme Analyst - Environmental and Social Standards (JPO) - Netherlands JPO Programme

Italy

  • Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • Location: Italy
  • Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Organizational Setting

This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to PEOPLE WITH THE DUTCH NATIONALITY. 
For criteria see  the website of Nedworc Foundation: https://nedworcfoundation.nl/junior-professional-officers-programme/ 
Please read the criteria and FAQ section carefully before considering applying


The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas in developing countries. It does so by financing projects and programmes that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and by advocating at the local, national and international level for policies that enable poor rural people to overcome poverty. IFAD is also an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Least Developed Country Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund.  These funds complement IFAD’s baseline activities to further integrate environment and climate change considerations in rural development operations and to channel climate finance to poor smallholders.

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 an Operational Policy and Results Division (OPR).

The compliance function in OPR plays a key role in ensuring the proper application of Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP) and its associated tools, in order to enhance environmental, social and climate sustainability into IFAD-supported operations. In doing so, it strengthens risk management of projects, contributes to better impact and results on the ground and long-term development impact and sustainability. It also leads corporate efforts for greater transparency, including by ensuring world-class disclosure standards in operations. The challenge for the Function is to ensure that IFAD's investments are compliant with SECAP safeguard requirements.

IFAD’s updated SECAP 2021 Edition came into effect on 1 September 2021.  The updated SECAP defines an improved course of action for assessing environmental, social  and climate (ESC) risks to enhance the sustainability of IFAD-supported programmes and projects. The updated SECAP applies to: (i) all investments in the Program of Loans and Grant (POLG); (ii) jointly co-financed projects/programs; (iii) non-Sovereign operations (NSO) for which IFAD financing is sought. They also apply to IFAD’s Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme, Borrowed Resource Access Mechanisms, Additional Financing and technical assistance including Reimbursable Technical Assistance as relevant, and to project/programmes Level 1 Restructuring. In this regard, the final updated SECAP will remain as one of many important building blocks of IFAD’s approach to achieve better impact and results on the ground and long-term development.

Job Role

The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) provides reliable technical expertise and guidance on SECAP requirements at the design and implementation stages of IFAD-supported projects including, Non-Sovereign Operations, and initiatives supported by the Global Environmental Facility and the Green Climate Fund. S/He is a specialist and knowledge builder in her/his thematic specialization. The JPO will also contribute to compliance monitoring and reporting on SECAP through the project cycle, support knowledge flows and help to instill a culture of learning on sound environmental, social and climate practices.

Work at this level is characterized by client-oriented technical expertise on environmental, social and climate standards.  The JPO builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG), Private Sector Advisory and Implementation Unit (PAI), Project Delivery Teams (PDTs) and OPR’s compliance team to enhance consistency, cohesion and synergy in the provision of SECAP compliance support to project teams.

It is envisioned that after the first year the JPO will be fully conversant with SECAP entry points in the project cycle (loans, grants, NSO, Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility). By the end of the assignment, s/he would have: (i) gained experience in strengthening ESC risk management associated with IFAD-supported projects to contribute to better impact and results on the ground and long-term development impact and sustainability; and (ii) sound interpersonal skills to effectively work with project teams, IFAD clients and other partners. S/He will also project the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for promotion of environmental, social and climate sustainability.

The JPO will work under the overall supervision of the Director of the Operational, Policy and Results Division (OPR) and the direct supervision of Lead, Technical Specialist - SECAP compliance

Key Functions and Results

Duties and Responsibilities

The JPO’s core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

1. Environmental, social and climate risk management and enhancing opportunities: As JPO- Safeguards, s/he will provide reliable guidance and support to OPR’s SECAP team, PDTs and Borrowers/Clients in addressing safeguard aspects/concerns in IFAD-supported operations during the concept, design and implementation stages (throughout project lifecycle) through the following: 

  • Provide ESC compliance support to IFAD-supported projects and programmes, for both private and public sectors
  • Address ESC compliance issues (risks and opportunities) in various IFAD operations during the concept, design and implementation stages. Includes support to validation of risk categories in project designs
  • Support Project Delivery Teams and Borrowers/Recipients for the finalization of the Terms of Reference for the preparation of SECAP studies (environmental and social impact assessments, environmental, social and climate environmental and social management systems) to ensure compliance with SECAP
  • Review project draft documentation (Project design reports and SECAP studies) to ensure that risks have been adequately identified and appropriate resources and capacity are deployed to effectively meet SECAP requirements in project design and implementation
  • Support the alignment of selected project designs with the safeguards of key partners (AF, GEF and GCF)
  • Liaise with project teams to support consistency in the integration of environmental and social safeguard requirements

2. Policy and Compliance with ESC Requirements:

  • Support the review and/or revision of specific IFAD environmental and social policies, guidelines and tools
  • Support in providing ESC guidance to project delivery teams to enhance their awareness and the capacity of the projects and programmes to comply with the SECAP
  • Carry out other related assignments as required by the Director

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management:

  • Track and report on projects identified as high-risk; improve knowledge management of IFAD's project lessons on the SECAP process with a view to aligning it with IFAD business processes and decentralized efforts
  • Support drafting and/or improvement of SECAP reporting templates for use in implementing and monitoring requirements of NSOs
  • Support the development and implementation of capacity building and training programs for staff within IFAD and in the Hubs. This includes developing simplified SECAP guidance material and updating existing knowledge products
  • Contribute to advocacy and knowledge development activities and building awareness around environmental, social and climate standards among staff

Job Profile Requirements

Education and experience

  • Hold at least Master's degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, natural resource management, agriculture, rural development, sociology, applied social science, or other related discipline.
  • Have a minimum of two (and a maximum of four) years of relevant professional experience in environmental and social safeguarding, preferably in the private sector or development organization providing support on a global or regional scope. Experience working in the field and in one or more of the following topics is an advantage: environmental and social governance, impact assessment, Financial intermediaries, climate change and labour issues. 
  • Be able to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English. Working knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is desirable.

 Organizational/technical competencies

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

Technical

  • Knowledge of the principles and concepts of risk management.
  • Demonstrated ability to synthetize information, formulate opinions and make recommendations.
  • Project management skills. 
  • Analytical and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization, tailoring language, tone, style and format to match audience.
  • Ability to propose new ways of engagement with project teams while advocating for the implementation of SECAP requirements.

Languages and other skills

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

Training components

  • On the job training in safeguard compliance on a wide range of new and emerging issues. 
  • Participation in training (safeguards, mainstreaming and NSO) organised by IFAD  and external training providers 
  • Participation in in-house training offered by other IFAD Divisions
  • Direct coaching by Lead, Policy and Results Specialist, SECAP compliance function

Learning elements

The JPO will gain exposure and experience in: 

  • Environmental and social due diligence of NSOs
  • IFAD’s Code of Conduct and Core values
  • Communicating effectively to suit various audience in a highly diverse setting
  • Learning how to reach out to supervisors and staff, listening and responding effectively; and efficiently to technical queries and building relationships; 
  • Learning how to be an agent of change, client orientation and service

Other Information

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.

This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to PEOPLE WITH THE DUTCH NATIONALITY. 
For criteria see  the website of Nedworc Foundation: https://nedworcfoundation.nl/junior-professional-officers-programme/ 
Please read the criteria and FAQ section carefully before considering applying

This vacancy is now closed.
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