Organizational Setting
This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Korea and is addressed exclusively to candidates of the Republic of Korea.
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 the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation and food security.
The Office of the Secretary of IFAD (SEC) is composed of the Front Office, Documents and Languages Services (DLS), Governance and Membership Services (GMS), and the Conference and Meetings Services (CMS). The corresponding units work together in support of the Fund's institutional governance, organizing formal and informal sessions of IFAD's governing bodies, from the Governing Council to the Executive Board and subsidiary bodies, through the provision of a series of services and interactions ranging from official contact with Member States and potential Member States, provision of documentation for Governing Bodies in the four official languages of the Fund, organization of formal and informal governing body meetings and safeguarding multilingualism through the provision of translation and interpretation services.
Job Role
The JPO will be expected to serve as a key point of contact between IFAD and its Member States, promoting trust-based relationships, political awareness, and transparent communication. This role supports the Fund's mandate by fostering proactive engagement with current and potential Members, ensuring procedural clarity, and enhancing Member participation in formal and informal governance processes, strategic events, and development programmes.
The JPO will work under the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the Chief, GMS.
Key Functions and Results
Under the direct supervision of the Chief GMS, the JPO will carry out the following tasks:
Member Engagement and Support
- Support outreach and engagement activities with Member States and prospective members.
- Assist in maintaining regular communication with Member State representatives and responding to routine requests.
- Support the organization of induction and orientation briefings for new Member State representatives.
- Assist in preparing background materials and updates for engagement with national and regional representatives.
Governance Support and Coordination
- Provide support on governance-related processes, including accreditation, credentials, and representation procedures, under supervision.
- Maintain and update membership databases, contact lists, and related documentation.
- Assist in the organization of informal seminars, briefings, and governing body learning events.
- Help track and follow up on Member State queries and inputs, as directed.
Event and Meeting Support
- Support the logistical and substantive preparation of governance-related meetings and events.
- Assist in coordinating Member State participation in meetings, briefings, and external events.
- Prepare draft notes, schedules, and background materials for meetings and events.
- Support post-event follow-up, including summaries and feedback collection.
Research and Analysis
- Conduct desk research on political and institutional developments relevant to IFAD's membership and governance.
- Compile background information and comparative data on governance practices in UN entities and IFIs.
- Support analytical work by preparing summaries, briefs, and data inputs.
- Communication and Knowledge Management
- Draft routine correspondence and communication materials, including invitations, announcements, and information notes.
- Support the updating of digital platforms and tools used for Member State communication and knowledge sharing.
- Assist in capturing and organizing institutional knowledge related to Member engagement and governing bodies.
Internal Coordination and Liaison
- Liaise with IFAD divisions and SEC colleagues to support member-related activities and information flows.
- Assist in coordinating Member State participation in governing body meetings and related events.
- Support liaison activities with UN entities and IFIs, including registration and accreditation processes.
Key Performance Indicators
The assignment requires the provision of technical support and analytical input in portfolio administration, coordination, monitoring, and reporting as well as participation in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment, to understand new concepts quickly and the willingness to actively engage with the team and stakeholders, will be crucial in this role.
Working Relationships
The JPO will work under the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the Chief, GMS.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
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
- Managing 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:
- Level - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area.
- Areas - Political Sciences, International Relations, Public Administration, Business Management, or related field.
- Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
Experience:
- At least two years- progressively relevant professional experience.
- Professional experience working on administrative and policy issues in an international setting, with a particular focus on diplomatic relations, substantive organization of multilateral meetings, conference and seminars, research, analysis and writing is highly desirable. Experience in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope is an advantage.
- Experience with knowledge management tools, platforms, or systems, is an advantage.
Languages:
- Required: English (4 - Excellent) and Korean
- Certificate of English proficiency test: Applicants should score a minimum of (i) TOEFL iBT 100 or (ii) TEPS 430 or (iii) IELTS 7 or (iv) TOEIC 900
- TOEFL `Home Edition- score is accepted while `MyBest Scores- are not accepted
- IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted
- Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date
- Desirable: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (3 - Good)
- Fluency in one of the desirable languages is considered a strong asset.
Skills:
- 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)
- Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
- 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
- Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
Position specific:
- Basic knowledge of the principles and concepts of institutional governance in UN Agencies and International Financial Institutions.
- Strong motivation to learn and provide support on different aspects of institutional governance in particular with respect to e.g. provision of support to the organization and smooth conduct of formal and informal Governing Body meetings, and broad reporting on related activities.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills. Knowledge of statistics an asset.
- Project management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization tailoring language, tone, style, tact and format to match audience.
- Ability to draft reports effectively.
- Excellent knowledge of information technology systems, tools and Ms office package.
- Ability to empathize with clients, supervisors and staff while advocating for consistent and equitable applications of promulgated regulations and rules related to the organization, conduct of, and participation in Governing Body meetings.
- Ability to manage confidential information.
- Demonstrated ability to synthetize information, formulate opinions and make recommendations.
Other Information
Training components:
- Participation in in-house training offered by other IFAD Divisions
- Direct coaching by the Secretary of IFAD and Chief, GMS
Learning elements:
The JPO will gain exposure and hands-on experience in:
- Strategic initiatives led by the Office of the Secretary and OLG Department to enhance the effectiveness of the relationship between IFAD, its Member States and strategic partners.
- Diplomatic correspondence and communication.
- Best practices in governance, with a particular emphasis on accreditation and credential procedures, membership applications, etc.
- Drafting briefing notes, talking points, notes to file and minutes of bilateral and multilateral meetings.
- Researching political/strategic/development priorities of Member States of relevance to IFAD's mandate and strategic direction.
- SEC-related project management, including as regards event organization and management.
- Communicating effectively in a highly diverse setting, fine-tuning presentation skills.
Other Information
NOTE: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Korea and is addressed exclusively to candidates of the Republic of Korea.
General requirements for the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea (ROK):
- Korean citizenship
- Fluency in Korean and English
- Completed advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent)
- Not older than 32 years of age as of 31st December 2026 (born after 1st January, 1994)
- The maximum age limit for those who served in the miliary will be extended accordingly:
- One year will be extended for those who served for less than one year;
- Two years will be extended for those who served for more than one year and less than two years;
- Three years will be extended for those who served for two years or more
- Male applicants shall have completed the Korean military service or be exempted from it. Those who will be discharged from military service in the year of the application may also apply.
How to apply
- Applicants should submit their application electronically directly to IFAD.
- All documents should be in English
- Candidates for this position apply online via the Online Application System Portal Link provided https://job.ifad.org/
- Please also make sure to review the guideline on https://www.ifad.org/documents/d/new-ifad.org/how-to-register-apply-and-edit-an-application-to-a-job-opening-or-roster
- Applications must be received no later than Friday, 26th June 2026 at 11:59 PM KST. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted thereafter.
Documents to be submitted for the application (only complete applications will be considered):
- The completed IFAD Personal History Form with a motivation letter in English (to be completed in the IFAD recruitment interface)
- A scanned copy of applicant's Resident Register in English, issued by the Korean Government
- A copy of university degree (Bachelor's/Master's degree) certificate in English
- Scanned copies of Certificate of Employment, including information such as the period of employment, organization, department/unit, position/title, and duties/responsibilities, in English (Note: Applicants are required to submit supporting documents for all professionals experience listed in the application)
- A copy of English language proficiency. Please note that test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date. Applicants should score a minimum of
- TOEFL iBT 100 or
- TEPS 430 or
- IELTS 7 or
- TOIEC 900
- TOEFL ¿Home Edition- score- is accepted while ¿MyBest Scores- are not accepted
- IELTS General Training and Academic test are both accepted
- Only for male applicants who have completed the national military service: A certificate of Korean Military Service in English. The maximum age limit for those who served in the miliary will be extended in accordance with the Support for Discharged Soldiers Act and the Military Service Law.
- Only for low-income applicants: A scanned copy of a certificate of National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients issued in Korean and its unofficial translation in English.
- Only for persons with disability: A scanned copy of a certificate of person with disability issued in Korean and English
Applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.
For general information on the JPO Programme of the Republic of Korea, please visit the website of the International Organizations Recruitment Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea at https://unrecruit.mofa.go.kr
