Location: Rome
Deadline: Sunday, 15 September 2013
Description
Duration of Assignment
3 years fixed-term
Organizational context
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.
Purpose of the position
Reporting directly to the President of IFAD, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, the Associate Vice-President (AVP) heads the Programme Management Department (PMD) of IFAD. The Department is responsible for developing and managing the programmes and projects that IFAD supports through loans and grants that has averaged $1 billion a year in recent years ($2.2 billion when co-financing is included).
The AVP has the responsibility of directing and overseeing the programme of work of the Department, including the grants that IFAD makes to research institutions, civil society organizations, and farmers groups. The work of the Department is undertaken by five country divisions, two technical divisions, and the International Land Coalition (ILC). The seven Divisions and the ILC are managed by Directors at the D1/D2 level. The forty IFAD country offices (ICOs) also report to the Programme Management Department.
The AVP has the overall responsibility of ensuring that country strategy papers (COSOPs) and individual projects proposed for IFAD financing by PMD Divisions are of the highest quality and in line with IFAD's Strategic Framework.
As the Head of the Department, the AVP provides leadership to the over 250 staff of the Department, including staff in 40 IFAD country offices and ensures that high staff morale is maintained, paying particular attention to the staff of the Fund stationed in IFAD country offices. In this regard, the AVP has the overall responsibility of ensuring that the Department is adequately staffed with the requisite competencies and skills to deliver the annual operational programme of IFAD. The AVP is also responsible for the prudent and efficient management of the financial resources made available to the Department annually.
The AVP has the responsibility for developing and maintaining good relations with the developing countries that IFAD supports through its programme of loans and grants. In addition, the AVP is also responsible for developing and maintaining productive relations with partner institutions such as the Rome-based UN agencies (FAO and WFP), and other institutions -- such as the IFIs -- working in agricultural and rural development in developing countries.
As a member of the senior management team of IFAD, the AVP is expected to contribute to corporate and operational policy discussions and decisions of the Executive Management Committee (EMC), chaired by the President of IFAD and the Operations Management Committee (OMC), chaired by the Vice President.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the President of IFAD, the incumbent performs the following duties:
- Manages the work of PMD Directors, hosted agency Directors and PMD staff.
- Oversees the development of the annual programme and budget of the Department in the context of IFAD's Medium Term Plan and IFAD's Strategic Framework.
- Oversees the development of country strategy programs and the delivery of IFAD¿s annual lending and grant programmes.'Oversees the supervision of the on-going IFAD portfolio of loan and grant supported projects.
- Develops and maintains good collaboration with key partner organizations.
- Participates and contributes to IFAD's Executive Management Committee and the Operations Management Committee.
- Participates in IFAD public relations and outreach with the public, other donors, and client countries
- Champions discussions and dialogue on agriculture and rural development policy issues in close collaboration with the Chief Development Strategist.
- Oversees the development of, and reporting on, IFAD's Results Measurement Framework
- Acts for the VP and President of IFAD when requested.
- Performs other related duties as required by the President.
Qualification and skills required
Education and experience
- Advanced university degree in economics, management, business administration, or a related field.
- Substantive experience exceeding 15 years at an international level in an institution, which could include international finance institutions, UN agencies, or other development related organizations in the area of agriculture and rural development
- Proven record in leadership and strategic management.
- Extensive and proven managerial experience with a focus on people management.
- Experience in working with tight deadlines with multiple priorities.
- Knowledge of inter-agency relations within the UN System and with international financial institutions is an asset.
Technical / functional competencies
- Negotiator and Communicator - strong diplomatic and communication skills, with the ability to negotiate skillfully and develop close and effective working relationships with internal and external clients. Ability to articulate and present convincingly. Capacity to promote ideas and optimal service practice to a multi-cultural diverse audience.
- Planner and Organizer / Decision-maker - excellent judgment and the ability to think strategically, setting clear priorities for PMD. Well organized and disciplined.
- Creator of an enabling environment - creating opportunities for staff members to grow and develop and delegating responsibilities to staff or concerned offices.
- Leader/ Team builder/Team player - excellent management skills, with the ability to lead, build and inspire teams and to foster teamwork by being a good team player; strong interpersonal skills.
- Facilitator of change - acting as a champion for change, developing solutions to intractable challenges.
- Model of integrity, trustworthiness and confidence - ensuring that in all matters in PMD upholds IFAD's core values - Results, Integrity, Professionalism, and Respect.
Languages and other skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.
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 is committed to achieving diversity and is seeking a balanced workforce from IFAD's Member States. Women, in particular, are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD's Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if desired, 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.
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