Senior Technical Specialist, IKI (Economist) - P4
international fund for agricultural development ifad
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 local, national and international levels for policies that contribute to rural transformation.
Impact Assessment, Knowledge Management and Innovation Unit (IKI) is the premier research, data, knowledge and evidence use arm of IFAD. IKI produces evidence and knowledge to support the design of new projects and programs and to formulate strategies aimed at achieving sustainable rural development and food system transformation through informed and evidence-based decision making.
In particular, The IKI Unit is divided in two clusters and one cross-cutting theme:
- Research and Data for Development: Produces and promotes policy driven research through primary and secondary data collected with the purpose of promoting rural development through evidence based solutions;
- Impact Assessment: Conducts rigorous econometric analysis to measure the impact that IFAD's projects has attained on beneficiaries, and that ultimately produces evidence feeding into the international policy debate;
Both cluster contribute to the generation of Knowledge & Evidence Use: Evidence Informed Decision Making (EIDM) and Knowledge Translation (KT) in research, policy and practice are areas of strong interest among policy makers and international organization and so is the need for capacity enhancement
IKI provides advice and support services throughout the data cycle to:
- Assess data needs, availability and demand (work with RIA's stakeholders to evaluate data needs and devise a plan on how to meet them);
- Facilitate data collection (provide advice on approaches, tools and methods) and collect data for specific purposes (e.g. Impact Assessments)
- Produce and mobilize the creation of Knowledge Products (to meet the demand of different stakeholders):
- Advocacy materials for engagement of the general public (Knowledge Type 1),
- Policy support outputs to foster policy and decision making (knowledge Type 2),
- Technical articles to validate research and innovation and contribute to the Global pool of scientific knowledge and for purposes of reputational enhancement (Knowledge Type 3)
- Promote knowledge dissemination (workshops, training, technical assistance and international Conference on knowledge and use dissemination)
The Senior Technical Specialist works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the direct supervision of the Director IKI and/or under the general supervision of the Lead Technical Specialist (Economist).
Job Role
The Senior Technical Specialist serves as IFAD¿s technical expert in their area of expertise. The position supports country/regional programs by providing state-of-the-art global technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational), as well as contributes to the corporate agenda, in their technical area of expertise.
Within their areas of responsibility, the Senior Technical Specialist 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.The incumbent works collaboratively with the 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.
The Senior Technical Specialist is an expert and knowledge builder in her/his thematic specialization. The incumbent provides technical expertise and guidance on generating and using new ideas to enrich the knowledge base that supports the Fund's policy agenda.With corporate, rather than country or regional specific focus, the incumbent provides substantive contribution to understanding future trends in rural development strengthening IFAD's strategic planning perspective and pro-actively fostering innovative and effective solutions to rural poverty within country programmes, IFAD policy, member governments, the academic community, and public opinion in the international development community.
Work at this level is characterized by technical leadership in field of specialization in collaboration with professional and support staff of a unit or by the provision of authoritative technical advice. The incumbent works collaboratively with ODE technical specialists (both in PMI and ECG) to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support facilitating knowledge flows and building of communities of practices.
Position specifics: The incumbent lead the design and implementation of research and impact assessment in close consultation and under the guidance of the P5 and of the Division Director. Her/his role inlcude providing support to the division in the implementation of empirical research in selected program countries working with local partners to use data for analysis and oversee the technical implementation of work in case study countries.The incumbent works collaboratively with other ODE technical specialists, with OPR for corporate reporting and with PMD in selection of countries and projects to undergo Impact Assessment and in conducting resereach and impact Assessments.
Key Functions and Results- SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE: The Senior Technical Specialist provides technically authoritative advice on their area of specialization to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential global player in these domains, and to improve related national government policies and programmes and ensure IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:
- Providing IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date professional advice on policy, institutional and technical issues.
- Contributing to ensure that IFAD senior management is regularly and adequately briefed to engage effectively in high level fora with policy implications for rural transformation.
- Providing senior level technical expertise.
- KNOWLEDGE AND ADVISORY SERVICES: The Senior Technical Specialist enhances the development of viable and sustainable policies and supports regional and global thematic input through authoritative technical knowledge sharing for their area of specialization. The position will ensure access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting intelligence gathering and analysis of debates relevant to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation;
- Supporting the coordination of the relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD, within the region concerned and national Institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with external partners and stakeholders through publication of Occasional Papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field;
- Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes;
- Planning and leading learning events to strengthen IFAD's knowledge and capacity to engage in global debates with policy implications for rural transformation.
- PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: Senior Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of strategic partnerships that can help advance IFAD's mandate and messages around rural transformation in the global debate. The position develops 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. Accountabilities may include:
- Building partnerships with centers of excellence, complementary technical organizations and specialized departments of other development institutions (including United Nations agencies, International Financial Institutions, bilateral cooperation agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others) as strategic partners;
- Strengthening IFAD's representation and communication in policy processes (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences);
- Developing and cultivating alliances in key global policy forums to strengthen IFAD's influence over time, with a strategic focus on specific themes in their area of specialization.
- MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Senior Technical Specialist supports the Director/Lead Technical Specialists in knowledge management and other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance country level programme and funding decisions.
- MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes, among others, people management through support to recruitment of technical specialists and technical leadership/capacity development, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, supervisory role and evaluation of performance of professionals and general service staff under their purview.
Position specifics:
- RESEARCH: The Senior Technical Specialist (Economist) focuses on IFAD's research agenda, contributing substantially to the annual work programme regarding research and reports on trends in rural transformation in developing countries and the effectiveness of rural development interventions to identify potential implications for IFAD¿s work. The incumbent enhances the development of viable and sustainable policies and supports regional and global thematic input through authoritative technical knowledge sharing for the area of specialization. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to: (a) Contributing in the design and quality assurance of research produced by RIA; (b) Maintaining networks with researchers, policy makers and civil society for enhanced knowledge exchange, including training workshops and seminars; (c) Generating through activities such as analytical studies and regional grants with colleagues in the country programme as well as the division; may manage selected Cooperation and Technical Assistance Grants in support of the same; (d) Representing RIA at forums on related topics and present research contributions.
- IMPACT ASSESMENT: The Senior Technical Specialist (Economist) provides policy advice on agricultural economics and impact assessment issues, as they emerge from the analytical work; designs, plans and prepares conferences, workshops, seminars, and other forms of the dissemination of the agricultural economics analysis, related poverty analysis and, supporting the impact assessment agenda, reporting on trends in rural transformation in developing countries and the effectiveness of rural development interventions to identify potential implications for IFAD¿s work. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to: (i) ¿ Coordinating with Lead Technical Specialist (Economist) support the Impact Assessment Agenda, including standardization of methodologies, ensuring the recruitment and assignment of research analysts, ensuring quality standards, liaising with field programmes, and disseminating of impact assessment reports; (ii) Ensuring the periodic updating of the Impact assessment plan, including the development and refinement of outcomes, indicators, means of verification - this should be done in close collaboration with other experts in and beyond the UN involved in measuring impact; (iii) Contribute to conducting the aggregation exercise and projection of impacts to IFAD¿s portfolio; (iv) prepare reports and KM products linked to the IA and prepare other reports needed to comply with reporting requirements to donors and to IFAD delivery managers on outputs, milestones and outcome as planned; (v) prepare technical papers and policy briefs on factors affecting impacts of IFAD supported projects and Strategic Objectives and mainstreaming themes; (vi) undertake missions to partner countries to assist with program implementation, backstopping, coordination and management; (vii) Representing RIA at forums on related topics and present impacts methodologies.
Key Performance Indicators
Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the field of specialization. The impact of work by the incumbent directly affects country programmes and contributes to regional and corporate policy and strategy. The impact on the overall IFAD country and regional programmes is significant in projecting the Fund¿s role/capacity as a reliable, viable partner in development.Work is intricate in that it requires consideration of a wide range of technical factors and related data. Senior Regional Technical Specialists also select and provide oversight of external consultants, participate as experts in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.
Work at this level normally is not reviewed for technical accuracy. Senior Regional Technical Specialists thus exercise independence and initiative in assessing needs and advising governments when on field mission. Decisions are made on the research or analytical strategies to be followed in resolving problems of concern in the technical area.Established methods and procedures are adapted as necessary in order to achieve desired results.
Position specific: The Senior Technical Specialist, Economist, ensures that rigorous research and impact assessment are carried out; ensure conduction and delivery of the aggregation exercise and projection of impacts to IFAD¿s portfolio for every replenishment cycle; ensure data quality and high level analytical work; support and coordinate capacity enhancement and reporting to donors and to international fora.
Working Relationships
The work relationships of Senior Technical Specialists involves the provision of technical advice and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in technical project design and appraisal, supervision/implementation support and in the preparation of studies and reports.The position serves as an expert in the area of agronomy and works with full technical independence in the provision of technical expertise and methodological guidance at the country level, as well as regionally as required. Contacts are with counterparts and senior officials within other United Nations organizations, IFIs governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations,private sector research institutes and academia.
In servicing intergovernmental bodies, expert and working groups and other meetings, the Senior Technical Specialist provides technical expertise and recommendations for investment, policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and Specialist capacity; the incumbent also may provide information regarding the organization's policies, and act as the representative of the organization.
Maintain contacts to identify and evaluate emerging developments.
Position specific: Contacts are with colleagues within IKI, ODE, OPR. Other counterparts within other United Nations organizations and IFI having impact evaluation or impact assessment and research programmes. Contact with data collection firms and with country statistical offices are of key importance.External work relationships for Technical Specialists at this level normally require maintaining and managing professional relationships with the relevant external stakeholders and representing IFAD at conferences as required.
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 in a technically relevant area. A PhD degree would be an asset.
- Areas - Agricultural economics, Resource Economics, Economics or related fields.
- Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .
Experience:
- At least eight (8) years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in development economics, in the formulation of technical guidance and input to development programmes, and in international policy frameworks related to global issues.
- Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
- Position-specific experience: Substantive and sustained work experience in development economics, in the formulation of technical guidance and input to development programmes, and in international policy frameworks related to global issues.
Languages:
- Required English (4 – Excellent)
- Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic
Skills:
- (Development) economics: Know-how relevant to specific role as economist, e.g. development economics, macro/micro-economic analysis, conducting of economic research and applied econometrics, etc.
- Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
- Corporate approach: Ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one's area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities)
- 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)
- 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)
- Research & impact assessment: Know-how in designing, coordinating, conducting technical research & impact assessment in own thematic area
Other Information
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.
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 in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.
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Ruolo: Altro
Percentuale di occupazione: Full-time
Tipo di occupazione: