Call for Interest in short-term/Temporary Assignment - Senior Technical Advisor to AVP/SKD

This call is advertised as a short-term assignment with a duration of 6 to 11 months and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures' definition of 'internal') be selected, the contract type would be that of a short-term professional (TPO). In the event an IFAD staff member, holding a FT/continuing contract be selected, the movement would be implemented as a Temporary Assignment through the applicable provisions. The temporary assignment is expected to start shortly after selection.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 Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD's strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD’s operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness, by generating  and  disseminating IFAD’s development knowledge and evidence on strategic themes, and encouraging innovative application of cutting-edge global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments to support countries tackle their most complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. SKD is composed of the (i) Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG); the (ii) Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI); and the (iii) Research and Impact Assessment Division (RIA).

The corporate knowledge management function is located in the SKD front office (FSK). As IFAD becomes a more decentralized organization, it is crucial that it has a more integrated and connected knowledge system in place. This involves maximizing IFAD's capability to harvest, share and use knowledge and know-how from operations. It requires stronger connections among staff involved in knowledge generation, KM and knowledge brokering activities across the organization, and stronger linkages between operations and country, regional and global knowledge activities. All of this requires enhanced institutional learning, and a more effective set of tools, systems and other mechanisms, as well as work practices, to improve the flow of information and knowledge in a more decentralized organization.

The Senior Technical Advisor to AVP/SKD works under the direct supervision of the Associate Vice President, SKD. 
 

Senior Technical Advisors are accountable for authoritative provision of qualitative technical support and guidance to the AVP and the departmental Team in general. S/he advises and supports the AVP and divisions on the programme, goals and objectives through coordination, monitoring and reviewing of all initiatives, policies and papers in the department. They will assume responsibility for organizing, and coordinating operations involving the Office of the Associate Vice-President, as well as monitoring any corporate agenda items. S/he will provide substantive contribution to the overall functions of the Office of AVP and provide coordination to its workflow and administration. S/he will also work closely with all IFAD Directors in general, to ensure proper communication flows, build consensus and ownership of departmental plans/strategies.

Work at this level is characterised by the provision of policy-level expertise and keeping abreast of the evolving corporate services standards and best practices at the international level. 

The incumbent is responsible for the Office of the Associate Vice-President, SKD. 

1. SENIOR-LEVEL ADVICE ON CORPORATE SERVICES POLICY AND STRATEGY: The incumbent provides substantive contribution to the overall function of the Department. This includes but is not limited to: 
(i) Provide technical input, synthesis and advice based on review and analysis of initiatives and proposals submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President for decision and/or consideration. This involves pre-reading documents received and following up with relevant originators, preparing briefings on content as appropriate, and progressing draft versions of documents for the Associate Vice-President. 
(ii) Develop plans/strategies to support special corporate projects or initiatives by consulting and cooperating with all IFAD Directors as well as other relevant stakeholders as required. This includes tracking and monitoring progress on corporate initiatives to ensure effective and timely action, facilitating collaboration and providing guidance in problem-solving. 
(iii) Anticipate the needs regarding events and meeting opportunities for the Associate Vice-President and manage his involvement, as well as the involvement of key stakeholders. Prepare concise info packs of relevant material which includes formulating and/or coordinating the production of policy papers, reports, speeches, presentations, publications, position papers, guidelines, talking points and other documentation involving the Associate Vice-President in committees, conferences, workshops, media events, meetings with key stakeholders, etc.
(iv) Review, analyse and provide substantive input on operational / economic / financial documents submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President.
(v) Contribute to processes of institutional change and reform, consulting with inter-organisational colleagues to build shared understanding of, and to ensure regular communications pertaining to, ongoing and planned changes related to corporate strategies, standards and rules.

2. COORDINATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING: The Senior Technical Advisor assists in coordinating activities of the Associate Vice President as required and supports strengthening synergies and collaboration within Department and across the organization. S/He also performs other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance programme and funding decisions. The accountabilities may include: 
(a) Support the Office of the Associate Vice President in its coordination of the front office workflow and administration, demonstrating good judgment with a sense of priority and effective sequencing of activities or tasks. 
(b) Coordinate any special project(s) assigned by the Associate Vice President by tracking and monitoring progress on the commitments made by the Office of the Associate Vice President. 
(c) Advise and prepare periodic analyses on a variety of issues of relevance to the work of the Office of the Associate Vice President. Serve in institute-wide committees or task forces and represent the Office of the Associate Vice President in internal meetings, whenever required. 
(d) Coordinate, create and manage linkages across IFAD, advise and support in identifying priorities, issues, constraints and opportunities in the process of achieving commitments made.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: The Senior Technical Advisor is responsible for partnership building within and external to IFAD including leading on aspects of Department’s operational partnership and representation work for the AVP and IFAD. S/he develops and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at the country and regional levels, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. The accountabilities may include: 
(i) Represent the Office of the Associate Vice-President in meetings on corporate initiatives, coordinate action notes and follow ups if required. 
(ii) Coordinate the preparation background information on important stakeholders and issues and gather information and data from internal and external sources that may aid in the development of partnerships and improve IFAD's positioning that the Associate Vice-President will be promoting on his missions. 
(iii) Participate in missions, as required, ensuring appropriate protocol, profile, representational opportunities, and visibility for the visits. 
(iv) Represent IFAD at external meetings, as required.

4. AGENT OF CHANGE: The incumbent understands and applies the principles of change management and proactively serves as a role model for transformation and capacity for acceptance of change. At this level, the incumbent manages change through consultations with all IFAD offices to build understanding of and to ensure open and regular communications pertaining to current and planned changes.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Advisor is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes People Management through technical leadership/capacity development.

Position specifics: The incumbent contributes to the proposals and operationalizing strategic directions for expanding IFAD’s agenda for country-level policy engagement, and other aspects of country programmes. In addition, the Senior Technical Advisor to the AVP, PMD, provides authoritative technical support, including through participation in field missions, to Country Directors and Head of Multi-Country Offices both for the design and implementation of COSOPs, projects and non-lending activities such as policy engagements.

6. ADVISE AND PROVIDE SUBSTANTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO OVERALL ACTIVITIES OF THE AVP, SKD: a) Provide qualified technical support, synthesis and advice based on review and analysis of initiatives and proposals submitted to the AVP for decision and/or consideration and the filtering out of unnecessary material. This involves pre-reading documents received by the AVP to verify whether her personal contribution is required, briefing on content as appropriate, and progressing draft versions of documents (also requesting the clearance of the responsible SKD Director, when appropriate) before they are formally submitted to the AVP. b) Develop plans/strategies to support the departmental programme of work, including special projects or initiatives, consulting and cooperating with SKD Directors as well as other relevant stakeholders as required; this includes identifying issues in the annual portfolio review that can be routed to other departmental resources for action. c) Write analytical papers, if needed. d) Monitor progress on departmental initiatives and agreed outputs for programme of work, liaising with SKD divisions and teams in general, as well as with other departments or external sources, to ensure effective and timely action, facilitating divisional collaboration and providing guidance in problem-solving;  e) Monitor and follow up of expenditures, taking into account budget, performance progress and department plans; propose corrective actions and keep AVP informed or aware of issues that she needs to address; f) Anticipate the AVP's needs regarding events and meeting opportunities and manage his/her involvement, as well as the involvement of key stakeholders. Prepare concise info packs of relevant material which includes formulating and/or coordinating the production of policy papers, reports, speeches, presentations, publications, position papers, guidelines, talking points and other documentation involving the AVP in IFAD governing bodies, committees, conferences, workshops, media events, meetings with key stakeholders, etc.;  g) Serve in institute-wide committees or Task force and represent the AVP in internal meetings, whenever required; h) Follow up on resource mobilization coordination with other departments, and travel, if necessary, to conduct resource mobilization conversations with prospective partners. i) Provide support to the Associate Vice-President, SKD during  missions, if  required; j) Deal with External Visitors that do not need to see the AVP directly, or prior to their meeting the AVP. k) Support the AVP in coordinating SKD front office workflow and administration, demonstrating good judgment with a sense of priorities and effective sequencing of activities or events.

7. DEPARTAMENTAL COORDINATION AND REPRESENTATION WORK: a) Participate in the SKD management meetings (as well as other relevant departmental meetings), coordinate the meetings, agendas, action notes and implement follow up. Occasionally represent the AVP in such meetings.  b) Prepare background information on important stakeholders and issues and gather information and data from internal and external sources that may aid in the development of partnerships and improve IFAD's positioning that the AVP will be promoting on her missions. c) Provide coordination to internal divisions and units in SKD and advise and support in identifying priorities, issues, constraints and opportunities in the process of achieving commitments made.  d) Collaborate with and provide substantive inputs to the department's Knowledge Management agenda. e) Coordinate, creating and managing linkages across IFAD, especially with the Programme. Management Department (PMD). Forecast and plan strategic opportunities for the AVP to engage with key stakeholders, working with SKD Directors. f) Advise and prepare periodic analyses on issues of relevance to the work of SKD. g) Represent SKD and the Fund as deemed necessary.h) Participate in resource mobilization initiatives and efforts. i) Coordinate any special project assigned by the AVP. 

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical capacity both in terms of policy development and operational experience. The incumbent at this level makes recommendations to senior staff in the Office of the Associate Vice-President and other IFAD fora on questions related to the corporate agenda of IFAD. The incumbent is accountable for authoritative provision of qualitative technical support and guidance to the Office of the Associate Vice-President in general through coordination, monitoring and reviewing all corporate initiatives and respective commitments made.The key performance indicators for the Senior Technical Advisor to the AVP include leadership, both technical and team across departmental divisions and units.

The Advisor SKD provides qualitative technical support and guidance to the AVP SKD and the SKD team in general. S/he substantively contributes to SKD’s main objective.

Senior Technical Advisors ensure for timely, efficient and consistent political alignment of the Office of the Associate Vice-President. The work relationships involve the provision of authoritative technical advice and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in analysis of initiatives, proposals submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President and commitments made by the Office of the Associate Vice-President. The incumbent collaborates and coordinates with senior officials related to any missions, special events or initiatives, in which the Office of the Associate Vice-President, will be involved.

The work relationships of the Advisor SKD involve the provision of authoritative technical advice and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in analysis of initiatives and proposals submitted to the AVP, special projects and initiatives, etc.  Work relationships are established and maintained with counterparts both inside as well as outside the Fund. Contacts are with counterparts and senior officials within other United Nations organizations and research institutes and academia.

Education: 
Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area. 
Areas - management, international development, agricultural economics or any other related subject

Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .

Work experience: 
•    At least eight (8) years of progressively relevant professional experience including experience within an international financial institution, development cooperation agencies and/or the United Nations system.
•    Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.

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

This call is advertised as a temporary assignment with a duration of 6 to 11 months and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures definition of 'internal') be selected, the contract type would be that of a short-term professional (TPO). In the event an IFAD staff member, holding a FT/continuing contract be selected, the movement would be implemented as a Temporary Assignment through the applicable provisions. The temporary assignment is expected to start shortly after selection.

Internal candidates, holding a FT/continuing contracts, should verify and obtain their supervisors' support to release them in the event they are selected. Temporary assignments may include movement to a higher grade and granting of a special post allowance (SPA) in line with the provisions of HRIP Chapter 3, and at the end of the temporary assignment staff will return to their former position at the original grade. 

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 participate in interviews.