Applicants for vacancies in the National Professional Officer (NPO) category should be nationals of the country in which the position is located.
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 Department for Country Operations (DCO) oversees the origination, design and management of IFAD investments, including sovereign and non-sovereign operations, as well as the design and implementation of non-lending activities within country programmes, including policy engagement and SSTC. DCO is the department that primarily interfaces with governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to deliver IFAD's programme of work and to provide oversight to ensure quality of the portfolio.
DCO is led by an Associate Vice-President and is composed of five (5) regional divisions: Asia and the Pacific Division (APR), East and Southern Africa Division (ESA), Latin America and Caribbean Division (LAC) , Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) and West and Central Africa Division (WCA), the Private Sector Operations Division (PSD), and two (2) units: the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Unit (SSTC) and the fragility unit (FRU).
The South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) unit is housed in the DCO Front Office and is led by an SSTC Global Technical Coordinator. The SSTC unit is responsible for facilitating and supporting the integration of SSTC into IFAD-funded country programmes through technical advisory support, partnerships, and coordination of relevant initiatives.
Job Role
The incumbent is based in the SSTC Centre in Beijing, China and will provide specialized expertise and contribute to the development of SSTC activities at the national level with some input also at the regional level, working in close collaboration with the China Multi-Country Office staff and under the joint oversight of the Country Director for China and in collaboration with the SSTC Global Technical Coordinator. This role will include (a) contributing to the development and implementation of IFAD's SSTC strategies and plans, (b) developing and managing SSTC partnerships, with particular focus on partnerships that leverage the location of the incumbent in the China Multi-Country Office, including partnerships with China-based financial and non-financial institutions; (c) initiating and overseeing the implementation of SSTC activities based on IFAD's global and regional SSTC plans. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the IFAD country team based in Beijing, which will prove administrative and day-to-day supervision as well as first-level operational support for SSTC related assignments, and in close collaboration with other SSTC personnel based in the Beijing SSTC Centre.
Key Functions and Results
1. POLICY AND TECHNICAL ADVICE: The incumbent provides policy and technically sound advice to the AVP DCO, the Global Technical Coordinator, the Head of the China MCO and regional staff on issues related to SSTC, including opportunities for IFAD to position itself as a credible and influential player in this area and as a trusted and valued partner in the country, in the region and globally,. This will include advice related to the integration of SSTC into country strategies and operations, the design and implementation of SSTC activities anchored around country programmes, partnerships and resource mobilization. The incumbent will moreover provide contributions and technical advice in the elaboration of KM plans and activities led by relevant divisions and teams in IFAD headquarters, in regional offices, and in the China MCO. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Supporting the development of regional SSTC plans and strategies and of relevant operational guidelines and processes, in close collaboration with the Global Technical Coordinator and with regionally mapped SSTC Analysts;
• Supporting the China MCO in the development and implementation of its SSTC strategy, as part of the implementation of the China COSOP;
• Supporting IFAD staff in the MCO, in the region, and globally, to ensure access to information concerning corporate SSTC plans, tools and initiatives and support capacity to engage around these tools and initiatives;
• Supporting IFAD ICOs to explore partnerships with China-based financial and non-financial institutions, and maintaining communication lines with such partners;
• Advising IFAD senior management, the MCO, and colleagues in the global SSTC team concerning new developments in the area of SSTC relevant to IFAD's mandate and operations;
• Advising and supporting relevant staff in the MCO, in the region, and globally in the integration of SSTC into country strategies and into investment projects;
• Supporting the development of proposals for financing through dedicated SSTC resources housed at IFAD or in other institutions, as appropriate;
• Contributing expertise to the development of KM plans and products to be led by relevant divisions, notably the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE), and actively contribute to internal communities of practice on SSTC and other relevant knowledge areas.
2. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: The incumbent develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships (e.g. governmental and non-governmental institutions, financial institutions, research centres, private sectors, development partners), primarily in China but also in the region, in support to IFAD's SSTC work. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Identify potential partners that can work with IFAD through SSTC, in China, and in the region in line with MCO plans and in close dialogue with the rest of the global and regionally mapped SSTC team;
• Develop, build and maintain strategic partnerships for SSTC operations in support to IFAD's global efforts for SSTC, as well as in support to the activities of the MCO and of other country and regional teams as appropriate;
• Contribute to the mobilization of technical and financial resources that can strengthen IFAD capacity to deliver the SSTC agenda, within the scope of responsibilities of the Department for Country Operations and due coordination with the Division of Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) .
3. 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.
4. MANAGEMENT: The incumbent is responsible for contributing to the operationalization of the IFAD-China SSTC Facility in the region within the scope of IFAD's fiduciary responsibilities with respect to Supplementary Funds. Tasks may include:
• Supporting outreach and pipeline origination among IFAD country teams interested in applying to the Facility and facilitating interaction with the Facility Secretariat and with other country teams with relevant prior experience in working with the Facility;
• Supporting the identification of potential providers of technical assistance in China that can meet demand generated through proposals to the Facility through SSTC activities;
• Support the Secretariat in the identification and consolidation of lessons learnt, best practices, etc.
Key Performance Indicators
Assignments require the provision of technical expertise in the field of specialization which is significant in projecting the Fund's role/capacity as a reliable, viable partner in development. The incumbent may monitor and guide the work of external consultants, and may occasionally represent IFAD in relevant conferences, workshops, seminars, events, technical working groups on this subject.
Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. The incumbent thus exercises independence and initiative.
Working Relationships
The work relationships of the incumbent involve the provision of policy and technical advice in the domain of SSTC. The incumbent serves as a technical expert in the field of specialization and works with full technical independence in the provision of technical leadership as required. Contacts are with counterparts and senior officials within other United Nations organizations based in China and with officials of governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, research institutes and academia, private sector and development partners.
The incumbent provides policy and technical expertise and recommendations in their area of expertise in a consultative and advisory capacity.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
• Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
• Managing performance and developing staff
• Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
• Team working - Contributes effectively to the team
Education:
• Level - Advanced university degree
• Areas - Political Science, International development, Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, Applied Economics or any other relevant technical area.
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.
(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.
Experience:
• At least five (5) years of progressively relevant experience in operations is required.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Experience in providing strategic advisory services and relationships building is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of SSTC and analytical skills to identify systemic issues, both programmatic and operational, and develop viable solutions with a focus on SSTC.
• Ability to conduct policy analysis and produce policy recommendations.
• Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Languages:
• Required: English and Chinese (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: Arabic, French or Spanish (3 - Good)
Skills:
• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• Specialized communication skills: Technical know-how relevant to the specific communication role considered (e.g. communication planning, building and maintaining media relations, video production, publishing, web and other digital media, graphic design, visual identity, brand management, internal communication and events management)
• Partnership building: Ability to formulate new approaches or identify new opportunities to build relationships with both traditional and non-traditional partners, focusing on impact and results.
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner, advocating and promoting IFAD's mandate and vision; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts - like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• Strategic mindset: Proactive, ongoing identification of strategic opportunities, potential synergies and partnerships
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)
• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Topical expertise - Programme Mgmt for Agricultural Development: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. For ethics office assistant, procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct, Discipline and Anti-harassment provisions of applicable rules and guidelines)
• Project/Programme mgmt (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and evaluation
Other Information
Applicants for vacancies in the National Professional Officer (NPO) category should be nationals of the country in which the position is located.
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.
IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills coupled with good judgement and an ability to communicate persuasively.
Demonstrated teamwork ability; ability to handle sensitive matters with good judgment and diplomacy; proven ability to manage short deadlines and balance overlapping requests.
This is a one-year contractual appointment. Contractual appointments at the IMF are renewable for up to four years of cumulative contractual service, pending incumbent's performance, budget availability, and continuous business need.
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