This job is based in Rome, Italy.
Organizational Setting
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 Office of the President and Vice-President of IFAD (OPV) provides strategic oversight and direction to the entire organization, including all decentralised offices, and is responsible for IFAD’s strategic leadership, and all departments and offices report to it. OPV is the highest-level of political and strategic engagement with IFAD Member States, Rome-based agencies, and other UN agencies and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), leveraging the Fund’s resources, knowledge, relationships and reputation to ensure IFAD achieves its mandate through IFAD-funded programmes and non-lending activities providing sustainable impact to its target groups. OPV also serves as the primary liaison with the Senior Executive Management Team and supports general governance of the organization. It leads the implementation of the strategic plan for the organization, as well as develops or champions new initiatives to improve organizational efficiency, visibility, and organization-wide leadership development. OPV also specifically oversees the Corporate Services Support Group (CSSG) and supervises the Protocol Unit. The CSSG comprises: (a) the Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO); (b) the Ethics Office (ETH); and (c) the Planning, Organizational Development and Budget Division (POB).
The Special Advisor to the Vice-President works under the direct supervision of the Vice-President of IFAD.
Job Role
The Special Advisor to the Vice-President provides qualitative strategic support and guidance to the Office of the President and Vice-President, and to the Vice-President specifically. The Special Advisor’s main focus is to provide technical and operational advice to the President and Vice-President in overseeing the effective planning and delivery of IFAD’s loan and grant programs, as well as its broader program of work. This includes collaborating with peers to identify and deploy in IFAD’s portfolio opportunities for innovation and best practices from within IFAD and peer organizations. The role also involves coordinating, monitoring, and reviewing initiatives, policies, project / programme documents, and country strategies for approval or consideration, and participating in operational committees and meetings as needed.
The incumbent will provide substantive contribution to the overall functions of the Office of the President and Vice-President and provide coordination to its workflow and administration. The incumbent will also work closely with IFAD Associate Vice-Presidents, Heads of Offices and Directors, as required, to ensure proper communication flows. In particular, the Special Advisor to the Vice-President shall support the Vice-President in the day-to-day oversight of the Department for Country Operations, the Office of Technical Delivery and the Office of Development Effectiveness.
The Special Advisor to the Vice-President monitors global trends and priorities to ensure IFAD’s strategies, operations, non-lending activities and policy engagement align with the broader rural development context, enhancing IFAD’s overall development effectiveness.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
Level 2:
- Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
- Communicating and negotiating – Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
- Demonstrating leadership – Leads by example; initiates and supports change
- Focusing on clients – Contributes to a client-focused culture
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
- Managing performance and developing staff – Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
- Managing time, resources and information – Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
- Problem-solving and decision-making – Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
- Strategic thinking and organizational development – Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
- Team working – Fosters a cohesive team environment
Education:
- Level – Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a technically relevant area*. A first level university degree from an accredited institution in the above-mentioned areas in combination with at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience over and above the below-mentioned years of progressively responsible professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Areas – Agricultural Sciences, Development Economics, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment and Sustainability, Business and Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, etc.
(*) 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 ten (10) years of progressively relevant professional experience including experience within an international financial institution, development cooperation agencies and/or the United Nations system.
- A strong track record and demonstrable field-experience in rural development.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment will be considered an asset.
Languages:
- Required: English (4 – Excellent)
- Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Good)
Click “Apply” to read the full job description and submit your application.
Deadline for applications: 10 March 2025 (23.59 CET Rome)
Ref: VA 26753