Regional Specialist

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The Regional Specialist leads and provides support to corporate activities including but not limited to knowledge management, quality enhancement for project designs and Results-based country strategic opportunities programme (COSOP) as well as Country Strategy Notes (CSNs), grants management, portfolio management, supervision/implementation support, monitoring & evaluation and results reporting activities within the region. The Regional Specialist ensures a high degree of inter-connectedness across these activities, in particular, to enhance how lessons, experience, and evidence support improved portfolio management and performance. The Regional Specialist promotes systematic learning from the experience and knowledge exchange in the region and across regions and proposes creative solutions for using lessons to inform corporate initiatives, including global engagement and knowledge products.

• Peer Learning and Knowledge Exchange: Participate in knowledge-sharing networks to promote best practices. Organize events to disseminate insights and stimulate dialogue on rural development trends.
• Internal and External Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships within IFAD and externally to coordinate program initiatives. Engage stakeholders to align interventions with regional priorities and contribute to resource mobilisation.

1. REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT: The Regional Specialist advocates and enables good knowledge management practices and contributes to the building of a knowledge sharing culture in collaboration with the Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) in order to facilitate the creation, sharing and utilization of knowledge among internal teams and external partners. S/he acts as the Knowledge Management champion for the division and will be the focal point for South- South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC).. S/he also contributes to preparation of technical briefs and other knowledge products required at Divisional, Departmental or Corporate level. S/he systematically promotes learning from the experience and knowledge gained from the loans and grants programmes (e.g. using information derived from Project Supervision Reports, Project Completion Reports and Project Evaluations), through knowledge publication and/or learning events. S/he promotes use of lessons and experience in design, and uses information and lessons derived from supervision to improve portfolio performance across the region, and to support technical specialists in proposing solutions and connecting projects to technical support. In addition, the Regional Specialist builds and advises on communities of practice and networks, facilitates knowledge flows and linkages across country programmes and the regional hubs, and coordinates with internal and external users of knowledge about rural poverty generated by regional divisions' loans and grants. S/he will also facilitate knowledge flows in support of IFAD's SSTC initiatives, partnership development and policy dialogue. The Regional Specialist provides technical support, including advice and capacity development to projects (loans and grants) and to staff in country offices and regional hubs, including the development of KM plans, lessons learning approaches and tools, documentation, data collection and reporting processes. Such capacity development activities could be provided in collaboration with IFAD's Operations Academy. S/he co-ordinates and ensures effectiveness of knowledge sharing activities by analysing information, and knowledge management activities, monitoring their use and measuring and reporting on their effectiveness, results and impact, in line with corporate KM monitoring and analysis.

2. SUPPORT QUALITY ENHANCEMENT FOR PROJECT DESIGNS AND COSOPS/CSNS: As part of the regional team, the Regional Specialist reviews project concept notes, project design reports and country strategies (COSOPS/CSNs), to ensure consistency with corporate standards and policies, as well as providing quality enhancement in areas including, among others, economic and financial analysis, innovations, knowledge management and communications, monitoring & evaluation, log frames and scaling up. Active participation in select Project Delivery Teams is expected as well as on-demand support by participation in select design missions. 

3. GRANTS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT: In collaboration with the regional team, the Regional Specialist supports the process of, ensuring adequate mechanisms for competitive screening of grant proposals and coordinates with pertinent units and divisions. The Regional Specialist contributes to the quality enhancement of regional and country-specific grants, including from other divisions as required. The Regional Specialist coordinates a more effective system for documentation and dissemination of grants knowledge, learning and results and identifies entry points for improving the links between grants and the country-based loan portfolio. In addition, the Regional Specialist supports the regional team in the design of new regional grants together with grant recipients, review of grant submissions and input to the Operational Strategy and Policy Guidance Committee (OSC), development and coordination of regional grant pipeline for each year in line with corporate guidance and compliance with grant policy, and, grant status reporting and supervision for grant responsibilities. 

4. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION/IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT: The Regional Specialist supports the regional team in portfolio management activities. This includes, among others, reviewing the quality of supervision reports (incl. Management Letters), Project Completion Reports (PCRs), COSOP Results Reviews, COSOP Completion Reviews, to ensure adherence to corporate standards/performance rating guidelines, and monitor timely disclosure and publication in line with IFAD’s transparency commitments. This also includes supporting the regional team in providing advice to country teams on implementation matters, as well as providing implementation support as required, especially in the areas of knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation. S/he will also provide on-demand participation in supervision/implementation support missions as required. 

5. MONITORING & EVALUATION AND RESULTS REPORTING: The Regional Specialist supports the regional team with portfolio performance monitoring and results reporting as required for Divisional, Departmental and/or Corporate needs. This includes portfolio data analysis, preparing portfolio performance reports/updates, as well as preparing and/or delivering presentations. S/he will use this analysis when appropriate as a basis for knowledge management. The Regional Specialist supports country teams in the area of monitoring and evaluation and results reporting notably through Operational Results Management System (ORMS). The work also includes supporting the regional team in reviewing and responding to independent evaluations related to the region and collaborating with OPR on departmental or corporate initiatives. 

6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Regional Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.

• Regional Trends and Outlook Analysis: Proactively initiate analysis, assessments, and studies on emerging regional trends and outlook. Provide relevant data to inform strategic decision-making and enhance project effectiveness. Utilize findings to benefit country teams and improve project outcomes.
• Strategic Partnerships Development: Identify and cultivate partnerships to amplify IFAD's impact. Align initiatives with regional development goals. Apply strategic thinking to support COSOPs and investment designs aligned with IFAD's objectives.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other documents for meetings and contribute to discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the Lead Portfolio Adviser in monitoring the disbursement needs of projects within the NEN portfolio. Implementing an up-to-date monitoring system for disbursement needs and performance, refining disbursement planning templates, and conducting data analyses, analytical papers, and liquidity briefs as required by the division or PMD/FO.
• Contribution to the Regional Deep Dive Initiative: Conduct research and analysis for the Regional Deep Dive, including the analysis and lessons drawn from the portfolio in the NEN Division.
• Participation in Stocktaking Exercises: Contribute with qualitative and quantitative data and analysis for the stocktaking exercises aimed at reviewing progress, identifying areas for improvement, and informing strategic planning.
• NEN Scorecards and Performance Tracking: Deliver monthly NEN Scorecards, outlining KPIs for the division with written portfolio analysis. Maintain an action tracking system for performance improvement and non-lending activities, coordinating with MCO focal points. Apply ICT tools to improve and automate custom trackers for lending and non-lending pipeline delivery and portfolio performance. 

Compliance of operations with IFAD rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, establishment of project management targets and monitoring of achievement of results. Assignments require the provision of solid technical expertise and input for the area of her/his responsibility as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to the development of knowledge products, portfolio reviews of supervision and implementation reports and support, effective mechanisms for assessment of loans and grants proposals, and effective regional portfolio performance monitoring through lessons learnt and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting

• Cross-Departmental/Divisional Collaboration: Collaborate across IFAD departments to integrate cross-cutting themes into project design. Assess partner capacities to strengthen project delivery. Participate in review meetings to contribute insights for improved operations.
• Country Teams and Multi Country Offices (MCOs) Collaboration: Actively support country teams and Multi Country Offices (MCOs) to align project activities with regional objectives and ensure consistency with corporate standards and policies. Carry out research, data analysis, and strategic guidance to enhance project impact. Ensure smooth information flow between MCOs and headquarters (HQ) for effective coordination.

In the context of programme development and delivery, the Regional Specialist ensures the direct dissemination of targeted knowledge as well as other relevant products to internal and external audiences, including organizing knowledge sharing events and builds and maintains collaborative working relationships, both within the department, and with other relevant IFAD divisions.

• Proactively engage with country teams and Multi Country Offices (MCOs) to provide direct support, guidance, and technical assistance in aligning project activities with regional and corporate objectives.
• Partnerships with key stakeholders, including regional organizations, development banks, and multilateral agencies, to enhance IFAD's influence, leverage resources, and amplify the impact of its interventions.

Level 1:

• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
• Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
• Managing performance and developing staff -
• Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
• Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

Education:

Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on in rural development, public policy, economics, communications, business administration, management, social policy research and analysis, international relations or related field is required (*):
(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively relevant experience is required.
• Experience in knowledge management, communication, research or development project design/implementation within an international financial institution, development cooperation agencies and/or the United Nations system is highly desirable. In addition, qualifying experience in drafting analytical documents, producing reports on tight deadlines would be an asset.

Languages:

• Working knowledge of French or Arabic is mandatory (3 - Good)

Skills:

• Economic evaluation: Know-how relevant to specific role in Evaluation roles (e.g. Monitoring and managing evaluation processes and methodologies, carrying out Programme/Project evaluation, Impact evaluation, Corporate-level evaluation)
• Topical expertise - Economists: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. For ethics office assistant, procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct, Discipline and Anti-harassment provisions of applicable rules and guidelines)
• Data management: Data collection, cleaning, transformation and consolidation; data-base architecture & development; data presentation
• Project coordination: Identification of key-priorities, ability to work with others, coordinate and structure work to meet deadlines and adjustment of workplan/resource allocation when needed, identification and management of project-related risks
• Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.)
• Basic ICT & digital fluency: High level of digital literacy and ability to quickly get familiar with new digital tools (e.g. ability to carry out EPR data entry and extraction when budgeting; monitoring security systems, uploading content to inter/intra-net websites, etc.)
• 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)
• Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
• 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)
• 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.)
• Loans & grants: Know-how in designing loan and grant operations and managing loan and grant preparation process
• Topical expertise - Programme Mgmt for Agricultural Development: Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. For ethics office assistant, procedures outlined in the Code of Conduct, Discipline and Anti-harassment provisions of applicable rules and guidelines)
• Knowledge and Grant Management: Technical expertise in implementing and reinforcing knowledge management and grant operations principles and practices in core work streams through a combination of processes, tools and incentives, including improved visibility, relevance and accessibility of knowledge products for external audiences and in operations.

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.

 
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Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

 
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.