Senior Policy Advisor - Agriculture and Rural Development P-5
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an International Financial Institution and a Specialized United Nations Agency whose mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty. IFAD's headquarters is in Rome, Italy, and is present in more than 90 countries to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.
The Programme Management Department (PMD) is responsible for the overall lending programme of the Fund, and is composed of five Regional Divisions, Environment and Climate Division (ECD) and Policy and Technical Advisory Division (PTA).
PTA has articulated its broader role around four key functions and activities: i) quality enhancement in support to Country Programs at both design and implementation stages; ii) knowledge management and contribution to the development of operational "products"; iii) policy engagement; and iv) networking and strategic partnerships.
This position will be leading PTA's efforts in reviving its policy dialogue and engagement efforts. There is a growing acknowledgement that performance of IFAD supported programs and scaling up of successful experiences depends upon more enabling policy and institutional environment. Demand for policy analysis and advice from IFAD regional divisions and from borrowing countries is increasing.
Within PTA, the policy advice function is partially fulfilled by thematic units but it also requires special skills, approach and networks. A dedicated senior professional will provide overall guidance and support in providing policy advise, written contributions, document reviews and comments, participation to in-house and external events in the area of implementation of IFAD operational policies, economic and policy analysis, sub-sector reviews.
Purpose of Position
The Senior Policy Advisor - Agriculture and Rural Development will work with thematic Technical Advisers, Country Program Managers and Regional Economists to enhance the quality, relevance and effectiveness of IFAD country programmes, loan and grant funded projects, with a special attention to policy advice and knowledge management. The incumbent will conduct or facilitate policy analysis of the different dimensions of inclusive rural development processes to ensure coherence of PTAs advice to country programme (COSOP), project design and implementation support. The incumbent will also work closely with the Strategic and Knowledge Management (SKM) Department in the definition of a joint program in so far as policy inputs may be required to address topics of specific global importance or international exposure.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director PTA, the incumbent will:
Provide up-to-date policy analysis and advice to Country Programme Management Teams (CPTMs) for COSOP formulation and project design. This includes special attention to the policy environment of investment projects within the context of the Quality Enhancement process at design stage and advice on inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Participate in loan and grant funded projects implementation support, to provide on-demand policy support to on-going programmes; and participate in in-country policy dialogue project implementation support/supervision missions.
Lead in the preparation of specific analytical products that are conducive to a better understanding of the policy agenda that underpins IFAD projects. This could cover areas such as pricing and subsidy policies, incentive structures, rigorous economic analysis of sub-sector performance and competitiveness, poverty determinants, productivity issues, etc..
Increase synergy and collaboration among PTA's thematic units and increase coherence of PTA's engagement with other IFAD divisions in the Programme Management Department (PMD), as well as with the Strategy and Knowledge Management Department (SKM) on policy issues related to agriculture, rural development, land and NR management. This could cut across specific areas such as small-holder institutions and organizations, poverty reduction, gender, targeting/social inclusion, community empowerment, rural finance, rural and territorial development and decentralisation.
Oversee and coordinate PTA engagement in selected international policy processes in collaboration with SKM, ECD and PMD Front Office;
Lead learning and knowledge management processes by researching, analysing and synthesising information for enhancing competencies on agricultural and rural development policy.
Provide advice in the development of PTA's grants program, including managing processes to facilitate the uptake and sharing of knowledge within IFAD, its partners and in-country policy makers.
Build and strengthen strategic engagement with policy knowledge centres and partners dealing with above mentioned issues in developing countries.
Perform other duties as may be requested by the Director of the Division.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Education and experience
Master's degree in development or agricultural economics, or other relevant field.
At least 10 years of successful professional experience in agriculture and rural development in developing countries in at least two different regions, including 5 years of experience working specifically on identifying and addressing policy issues associated with smallholder agriculture and rural poverty reduction;
Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork, to engage pro-actively in multi-stakeholders partnerships at country and international levels, to identify policy options and to influence policy processes.
Quality publications in the areas of responsibility
Technical/functional competencies
Demonstrated competency in policy analysis, synthesis of information, verbal presentation and report writing.
Excellent planning, time management and ability to deliver written outputs under tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and interdisciplinary team
Languages and other skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions
A working knowledge of another official language of IFAD (Arabic, French or Spanish) is desirable.
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.
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.
Senior Policy Advisor - Agriculture and Rural Development P-5 - Policy and Technical Advisory Division - deadline: 30 September 2012
The Programme Management Department (PMD) is responsible for the overall lending programme of the Fund, and is composed of five Regional Divisions, Environment and Climate Division (ECD) and Policy and Technical Advisory Division (PTA).
PTA has articulated its broader role around four key functions and activities: i) quality enhancement in support to Country Programs at both design and implementation stages; ii) knowledge management and contribution to the development of operational "products"; iii) policy engagement; and iv) networking and strategic partnerships.
This position will be leading PTA's efforts in reviving its policy dialogue and engagement efforts. There is a growing acknowledgement that performance of IFAD supported programs and scaling up of successful experiences depends upon more enabling policy and institutional environment. Demand for policy analysis and advice from IFAD regional divisions and from borrowing countries is increasing.
Within PTA, the policy advice function is partially fulfilled by thematic units but it also requires special skills, approach and networks. A dedicated senior professional will provide overall guidance and support in providing policy advise, written contributions, document reviews and comments, participation to in-house and external events in the area of implementation of IFAD operational policies, economic and policy analysis, sub-sector reviews.
Purpose of Position
The Senior Policy Advisor - Agriculture and Rural Development will work with thematic Technical Advisers, Country Program Managers and Regional Economists to enhance the quality, relevance and effectiveness of IFAD country programmes, loan and grant funded projects, with a special attention to policy advice and knowledge management. The incumbent will conduct or facilitate policy analysis of the different dimensions of inclusive rural development processes to ensure coherence of PTAs advice to country programme (COSOP), project design and implementation support. The incumbent will also work closely with the Strategic and Knowledge Management (SKM) Department in the definition of a joint program in so far as policy inputs may be required to address topics of specific global importance or international exposure.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director PTA, the incumbent will:
Provide up-to-date policy analysis and advice to Country Programme Management Teams (CPTMs) for COSOP formulation and project design. This includes special attention to the policy environment of investment projects within the context of the Quality Enhancement process at design stage and advice on inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development.
Participate in loan and grant funded projects implementation support, to provide on-demand policy support to on-going programmes; and participate in in-country policy dialogue project implementation support/supervision missions.
Lead in the preparation of specific analytical products that are conducive to a better understanding of the policy agenda that underpins IFAD projects. This could cover areas such as pricing and subsidy policies, incentive structures, rigorous economic analysis of sub-sector performance and competitiveness, poverty determinants, productivity issues, etc..
Increase synergy and collaboration among PTA's thematic units and increase coherence of PTA's engagement with other IFAD divisions in the Programme Management Department (PMD), as well as with the Strategy and Knowledge Management Department (SKM) on policy issues related to agriculture, rural development, land and NR management. This could cut across specific areas such as small-holder institutions and organizations, poverty reduction, gender, targeting/social inclusion, community empowerment, rural finance, rural and territorial development and decentralisation.
Oversee and coordinate PTA engagement in selected international policy processes in collaboration with SKM, ECD and PMD Front Office;
Lead learning and knowledge management processes by researching, analysing and synthesising information for enhancing competencies on agricultural and rural development policy.
Provide advice in the development of PTA's grants program, including managing processes to facilitate the uptake and sharing of knowledge within IFAD, its partners and in-country policy makers.
Build and strengthen strategic engagement with policy knowledge centres and partners dealing with above mentioned issues in developing countries.
Perform other duties as may be requested by the Director of the Division.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Education and experience
Master's degree in development or agricultural economics, or other relevant field.
At least 10 years of successful professional experience in agriculture and rural development in developing countries in at least two different regions, including 5 years of experience working specifically on identifying and addressing policy issues associated with smallholder agriculture and rural poverty reduction;
Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork, to engage pro-actively in multi-stakeholders partnerships at country and international levels, to identify policy options and to influence policy processes.
Quality publications in the areas of responsibility
Technical/functional competencies
Demonstrated competency in policy analysis, synthesis of information, verbal presentation and report writing.
Excellent planning, time management and ability to deliver written outputs under tight deadlines.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and interdisciplinary team
Languages and other skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions
A working knowledge of another official language of IFAD (Arabic, French or Spanish) is desirable.
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.
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.
Senior Policy Advisor - Agriculture and Rural Development P-5 - Policy and Technical Advisory Division - deadline: 30 September 2012
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