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Director, Near East, North Africa and Europe Division D-1 - Near East & North Africa Division

Duration of Assignment
3-year fixed term
(subject to renewal)
Organizational Context
IFAD is an International Financial Institution and a Specialized Agency of the United Nations whose mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty. IFAD’s headquarters is in Rome, Italy, and its staff work with poor rural people, their governments, communities and organizations in more than 80 countries to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing rural productivity and incomes.
Division Context
Countries in the Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) are going through changes of historic proportion. IFAD is looking for a regional leader to assist its member countries in the definition and implementation of rural development strategies that will provide an adequate response to peoples and governments in search of a more equitable human development and growth.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

The Director, Near East, North Africa and Europe Division, leads IFAD’s relationships with member countries in the region. S/he is responsible for the development of work programme and its alignment with corporate priorities. The Director is held accountable for managing for development results: sustainable reduction in rural poverty and promotion of food security and smallholder agriculture.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Associate Vice President, Programme Management Department, the Director will lead, manage and motivate a team of country programme managers, regional economist and portfolio adviser, programme assistants and administrative staff. As a member of the departmental management team, s/he is responsible for managing and supervising the delivery of the division’s programme of work within the allocated budget.

In consultation with governments and other regional stakeholders, the incumbent will establish IFAD’s priorities for the region, provide leadership and management to the division, and ensure the optimum utilization of human and financial resources for the achievement of greater efficiency and effectiveness.

In specific, the incumbent:

• Sets and communicates clear strategic and operational objectives and is held accountable for the performance of the division in managing for development results, on the basis of IFAD’s results framework, and medium-term development plan.

• Provides leadership in all phases of the programme cycle, including programme design, management, impact assessment and policy dialogue.

• Motivates, coaches and supports staff of the division in Rome and field offices to create a cohesive team that works effectively to achieve common poverty reduction and cost effectiveness goals and objectives.

• Manages staff performance and development through regular performance feedback, mentoring and career planning; encouraging initiative, innovation and fosters teamwork.

• Promotes knowledge sharing to achieve innovative outcomes and cost effective processes.

• Develops partnerships and collaboration with borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and resource mobilisation.
Education and Experience
• Advanced university degree in economics, agriculture, rural development or a related field.

• At least 12 years of working experience in development, including in project management and/or field assignment in a developing country.

• Extensive and proven managerial capacity in development related fields.

• Successful track record in building partnerships with various stakeholders, preferably involving both the private and public sectors in the region.

• Experience and knowledge of rural development in the Near East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.

• Results-oriented decision making ability with an aptitude to address operational challenges and for developing practical solutions in the local context.

• Demonstrated experience in working in conflict-affected situations.

• Experience with delivering high quality and innovative programmes to middle income countries.

• Field experience, including experience with the direct supervision of development investment projects.
Tech/Functional Competencies
• Recognized management skills in a multicultural setting, combined with ability to achieve results through motivating people and influencing partners.

• Ability to deliver results at three levels: (i) external clients and recipients; (ii) IFAD-wide results; and (iii) NEN division and staff.

• Sharp conceptual understanding of country and sector needs in the region, aligned with IFAD’s corporate priorities and policy framework.

• Ability to inspire teams for cooperative teamwork and outstanding achievement.

• Innovator with risk management ability and a proven track record as a successful agent of change.

• Information seeking, knowledge sharing, rigorous analytical and conceptual thinking.

• Client orientation: balances a responsive and proactive approach to meeting client needs, encourages staff to understand client needs and concerns; ensures provision of customized services and products as appropriate.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work both as a team leader and player.

• High sense of integrity, trust and confidence.

• Champion of IFAD’s values: respect for the individual, integrity, professionalism and focus on results.
Communication
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to set out a coherent analysis in presentations. Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable and a working knowledge of French is an asset.

• Strong diplomatic and communication skills and the ability to develop a close and effective working relationship with client and counterparts at the appropriate levels, demonstrated by a track record of developing and sustaining effective relationships with clients and stakeholders.

• Ability to represent IFAD in international fora.
Other Information
Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

IFAD reserves the right to appoint a candidate at the appropriate grade commensurate with experience and knowledge.

Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD’s Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if you so desire, only as a supplement and NOT a substitute to the PHF. The application should be made through the online system only. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY the instructions in “How to Apply” before you start.

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.


Director, Near East, North Africa and Europe Division D-1 - Near East & North Africa Division