This Job Opening serves to fill two positions. One fixed term position in Rome (subject to re-location) and one co-terminus position based in Rome.
The co-terminus* position is a two-year fixed-term position. A co-terminus fixed-term appointment is an IFAD employment contract externally funded (supplementary funded, funded by trust funds in administration or other), strictly limited in duration to the funding of the position, where appointment and extension is conditional on the availability of resources and limited to the externally funded assignment. A co-terminus appointment shall not exceed the duration of the specific assignment and/or project outlined in the letter of appointment and does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, or conversion, irrespective of the length of service. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract.
Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply to this co-terminus position with their employment terms and conditions, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional on the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding finish, the position will be abolished and the staff member will be subject to the relevant provisions foreseen in the HR Implementing Procedures.
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).
PMI provides technical support to IFAD Country Programs to ensure the proper application of corporate quality standards required for achieving development results and impact in key thematic areas, including food production systems (i.e. fisheries, livestock, and agronomy), land, natural resources management, water and rural infrastructure, renewable energy, financial services, rural markets and enterprises, ICT4D and rural institutions. It contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD projects and activities. PMI also leads IFAD’s non sovereign private sector investment activities.
The Private Sector Advisory and Implementation Unit (PAI) was created to lead IFAD’s Non sovereign private sector investment operations (NSOs) and host and coordinate various initiatives aimed at leveraging additional private sector investments for smallholder agriculture in alignment with IFAD Strategic Framework 2015-2025 and its Private Sector Engagement Strategy 2019-2024 (PSS).
The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) works under the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the Head, Private Sector Advisory and Implementation, PAI.
The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) is an expert in their thematic specialization. The incumbent provides technical expertise and strategic guidance at the corporate level and all stages of design, development, monitoring and evaluation of IFAD’s private sector investments.
Under the supervision of the Head, Private Sector Advisory and Implementation Unit (PAI), the incumbent has a gloal technical role in private investment covering IFAD’s 5 regional divisions. The incumbent works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists in SKD, Country Directors and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of private sector operation and activities.
The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) contributes to a.) the delivery of IFAD’s private sector investment activities (Non Sovereign private sector Operations-NSOs) and any new relevant initiatives emanating from the PSS into IFAD's operations at both HQ and hub-levels; b.) the delivery of complex investment and financial structures; c.) acts as professional technical expert; d.) PAI unit work plan and all activities related with global engagement and partnerships related to PAI's work stream. The incumbent works collaboratively with other staff in the PAI Unit and with other experts in the PMI Division and in the rest of IFAD. When required, represents IFAD externally and develops and manages relationships with clients, donors, institutional and private investors, government, media, and other stakeholders.
1. SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT: The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) will work closely with country directors, technical specialists and Hub directors on the origination, screening, structuring and delivery of IFAD Non-Sovereign private sector operations (NSOs) deployed through the Private Sector Trust Fund which could entail both direct funding and indirect through financial intermediaries. Main accountabilities include:
Work with the Programme Management Department to develop a pipeline of potential NSO investments (including both regular and blended finance operations), notably NSOs promoting job creation, women economic empowerment and those supporting mitigation and adaptation efforts to climate change. Screen potential NSOs both in terms of development impact and financial soundness, structure and lead the drafting of investment proposals and support PAI Head throughout the internal review process to seek Board Approval; ensure post approval management and supervision. Engage with various key divisions at IFAD to ensure efficient and effective review, development and implementation of the NSOs; Provide senior level support to the PAI Head, country directors and Hub directors in building relationships with private sector partners in close coordination with; Lead field and due diligence missions at all stages of the project cycle, including during design, due diligence, implementation and monitoring and undertaking implementation support missions, including supervision of NSOs.2. SUPPORT THE DELIVERY AND REPORTING OF PAI UNIT WORK PROGRAM
Assist PAI head in the delivery of the PAI Unit work plan; to build synergies and capacity to ensure close coordination and collaboration among the various teams; Assist PAI head to respond in an adaptive manner to the evolving priorities and opportunities around and within IFAD and the various initiative external partners; Provide senior-level Support to the PAI Head in the delivery of the PAI Special Initiatives3. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation on Private Sector investments and establish new knowledge and partnerships.
Accountabilities include:
4. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: The Senior Global Technical Specialist helps mobilize resources and build relevant partnerships. Accountabilities may include:
Developing partnerships and outreach activities as well as new relationships with DFIs, impact investors, foundations and corporate partners to expand resources, market and income opportunities for smallholders; Ensure IFAD’s representation and communication in technical issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences fora); and Mobilising new resources for IFAD, PSFP and co-financing for NSOs in collaboration with the GPR, through partnerships and outreach activities.5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Senior Global Technical Specialist contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of NSOs. Accountabilities may include:
Developing and monitoring results framework for NSOs ; Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance and NSOs portfolio monitoring; and Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project viability and sustainability.6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Global Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, staff supervised. The incumbent may also be asked to supervise work of external consultants and more junior staff.
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to private sector investments, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts.
The work involves both technical analysis and provision of inputs to projects, programs and initiatives, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices.
The work is requiring speciliazed technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) at the country or regional levels, the incumbent work will be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the private sector.
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to private sector investments, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts.
The work involves both technical analysis and provision of inputs to projects, programs and initiatives, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices.
The work is requiring speciliazed technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) at the country or regional levels, the incumbent work will be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the private sector.
Organizational Competencies - Level 2
Strategic thinking and organizational development: Strategic leadership Demonstrating Leadership: Leads by example; initiates and supports change Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Challenges, innovates and contributes to a learning culture Focusing on clients: Contributes to a client-focused culture Problem solving and decision making: Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact Managing time, resources and information: Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources Team Work: Fosters a cohesive team environment Communicating and negotiating: Acquires and uses a wide range of communication styles and skills Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectivelyEducation:
Level - Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a job related field (*) Areas - finance, financial engineering, economics, accounting, business management, or related field.(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures
Work experience:
At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in investment/corporate banking, project finance, project and/or program development, hands-on advisory and/or consulting functions in emerging markets, entailing structuring and supervising private sector investments and complex facilities including the use of equity, debt and risk mitigation measures (guarantees, risk sharing, etc.) Ability to work in autonomous manner and to write recommendations in a succinct and clear manner.