International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) hiring Lead Regional Technical Specialist - Rural Finance - P-5 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria | LinkedIn (2024)

*This job is based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

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 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 Lead Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Finance) works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the Director, PMI with dual reporting to the Regional Division Director to which the position is mapped.

Job Role

The Regional Technical Lead technically leads country/regional programs as well as the corporate agenda by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational). Within their areas of responsibility, the Regional Technical Lead exercises a high degree of independence in providing reliable programme delivery. The incumbent at this level performs the full complexity range of work independently, including the analysis and approval of complex and/or precedent setting cases with the aim to ensure cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specifics: The Lead Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Finance) is a leading professional and serves as the lead regional expert in Rural Finance. The incumbent technically supports country/regional programs with a particular focus on the WCA region as well as the corporate agenda by providing state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational). As an integral member of delivery teams, the position works collaboratively with other thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Heads of Multi-country Offices (MCO) and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

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:

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
• Areas – Finance, Business administration, Agriculture economics, 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 responsible professional experience in and demonstrated understanding of, development investment projects and interventions in the field of rural finance, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to promote inclusive and sustainable rural financial services, catalysing private sector finance and investment into rural areas through the use of relevant rural financial mechanisms.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Position-specific experience: Proven experience in the design and coordination of inclusive and sustainable rural finance projects leveraging on innovative solutions to emerging issues, including the use of digital/ICT solutions, working with the private sector and developing value chain financing instruments/initiatives, blending various sources of finance and instruments to promote, among others, climate finance and other forms of collaborations with the private sector. Experience in international policy frameworks related to global issues for rural finance is an asset.

Languages:

• Required English (4 – Excellent) and French (3-Good)
• Desirable: Spanish and/or Arabic
• Position-specific requirement: French (3-Good)

For full details on this opportunity, please consult https://www.ifad.org/en/careers

Click "Apply" to read the full job description and submit your application.

Deadline for applications: 5 February 2024 (23.59 CET Rome)

Ref: VA 17919