Regional Technical Specialist - Natural Resource Management, Land & Water

Organizational Setting

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.

The Office of Technical Delivery is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to IFAD teams engaged in the design and implementation of projects and programmes to deliver the high technical quality investments that facilitate rural transformation, and which comply with IFAD's mandate and operational policies. The Office ensures IFAD applies and disseminates state of the art knowledge in its investments and evidence on strategic themes and encourages the innovative application of global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments. This helps countries tackle complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation including mainstreaming areas. The Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) is led by a Managing Director and is comprised of two (2) divisions: the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG) and the Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI).

The Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) facilitates improved and efficient delivery of IFAD's corporate mandate, predominantly through the quality of the design and implementation of its policies, country strategies and projects. Key functions and activities of PMI include Quality Enhancement, Policy Engagement, Networking and Strategic Partnerships. PMIs' technical mandate covers a range of themes, all of which are key to deliver IFAD's strategic framework, including: agronomy, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, markets and value chains, agriculture research for development (AR4D), ICT4D, inclusive rural finance (including PARM, INSURED and remittances), rural institutions and farmers organizations, rural infrastructure, water, land and natural resources management. PMI is led by a Divisional Director.

Job Role

The Regional Technical Specialist is a seasoned professional in a specialized thematic area; the incumbent reports either to a more senior Technical Specialist or to the divisional Director. At this level Technical Specialists independently analyse technical and policy problems of concern to IFAD, intergovernmental bodies, and national authorities and provide substantive technical input to the development of policies, technical strategies and proposals. The incumbent may work collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specifics:
The Regional Technical Specialist (NRM & Land and Water) acts as IFAD's technical specialist in the Asia and Pacific Region (APR) in areas of natural resources management, land and water governance and agroecology. This covers areas such as participatory landscape approaches involving multi-stakeholders in land-use planning and restoration of degraded ecosystems, sustainable rangeland management, investments in soil and water conservation, and renewable energy and sustainable production technologies and practices as well as resources-use efficiency and recycling in postharvest processing and value addition. The specialist provides technical inputs to tenure system diagnostics and to the design of interventions to strengthen the tenure security of targeted communities involving both customary and formal tenure systems. Emphasis is on supporting the strengthening local institutions for governance and conflict resolution (e.g. customary institutions and water user associations (WUA) and women and young peoples- access to land and other natural resources. The specialist will provide technical guidance on climate-resilient water management and infrastructure and multi-use systems and support compliance with national law and IFAD safeguards.

The specialist provides technical inputs on holistic agroecology approaches and practices including the use of farmer-to-farmer experimental learning. The agroecology practices are grounded in the use of agrobiodiversity to create synergies, resources use efficiency and recycling and build resilience by spreading risks. Guidance is provided on the production and use of bio-inputs and practices for integrated soil fertility and pest management, and effective supplementary irrigation, digital and mechanical solutions that can strengthen the production outcomes and incomes for small-scale farmers transitioning to agroecology systems in the context of climate change. These activities contribute to achieve inclusive food systems within sustainable bio-economies that benefit rural vulnerable communities.

The Specialist will produce regional technical guidance notes and inputs, provide targeted capacity development support to country teams and local partners, and support action research and partnerships that enable scaling of proven approaches.

The position supports country/regional programs and policy dialogues primarily in APR by providing or coordinating technical inputs throughout the project cycle (design and implementation), as well as contribute to knowledge products, technical guidance and learning activities within the above fields of expertise, supporting IFAD investments in APR to deliver sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive outcomes for rural communities and their farming and food systems.

Key Functions and Results

1.TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES: Based on a planning exercise undertaken jointly between DCO and OTD, and working in close collaboration with the CDs/CPOs, the Regional Technical Specialist provides authoritative technical advice to selected country programmes across the designated region. The incumbent provides guidance and advice to PMI staff based in the region on technical, operational and corporate policies and procedures in the specialized area for the preparation of Results-based Country Strategic Opportunities Programmes (COSOP) and Country Strategy Notes (CSN). The incumbent serves as Technical Lead or contributes to Project Delivery teams (PDTs) for select project designs in the Region of particular complexity and/or strategic importance to which the incumbent is assigned, ensuring the overall technical quality of the assigned project design across technical specialized areas. This includes drafting terms of reference for technical team members, selecting and providing over-sight of qualified technical consultants, facilitating technical inputs from other IFAD staff and/or others (e.g. centers of excellence, research institutions), ensuring the technical quality of the project design report, leading select missions and ensuring that comments provided through corporate quality enhancement and assurance processes are adequately addressed. On the basis of the thematic expertise and skills in the specialized area, the incumbent also provides and/or coordinates targeted technical support and peer review to other select project designs in the respective Region. The incumbent also provides technical support in their thematic area for selected ongoing projects in the Region, with priority given to projects for which the incumbent was the technical lead or member of PDT during design, and/or projects requiring implementation support (e.g. projects-at-risk). This includes participation in or leading supervision, implementation support missions, as well as organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities. The incumbent also provides technical inputs to selected project completion reports.

2. POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS: The Regional Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to keep abreast of recent developments and trends and facilitates brokering of partnerships in the specialized area to enhance the Fund's profile as a highly competent and viable development partner in the designated region to which the specialist is mapped. Specifically, on the basis of their thematic expertise and skills and working closely with the CDs/CPOs, the Lead Global Technical Specialists at headquarters, the Lead Regional Economists and the Technical Advisors on policy engagement in the AVP/DCO Front Office, the incumbent provides substantive policy analysis to develop technical position papers, internal briefing notes, case studies to facilitate shaping IFAD's perspective/position, based on evidence from IFAD's loans and grants. The incumbent represents IFAD in high-level technical policy fora that are of relevance for the region and the respective area requiring authoritative voice and knowledge. The incumbent develops and maintains strategic technical partnerships with relevant organizations, centres of excellence, research institutions, and thematic platforms that are relevant for the region.

3. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Regional Technical Specialist contributes to knowledge management in the designated region. The incumbent leads and contributes to the generation and dissemination of knowledge, good practices and innovations in their thematic area generated through loans and grants in the region. Based on business needs, the incumbent may be requested to provide technical support to other regions in areas of particular expertise to facilitate learning and knowledge sharing. The incumbent contributes to identify qualified technical consultants to be included in a corporate roster. The incumbent liaises closely with the Lead Global Technical Specialist at IFAD headquarters, as well as the CDs/RDs and/or South South Technical Cooperation and Knowledge Centres, and the Senior Regional Technical Specialists on relevant knowledge management initiatives and products, including contributing to communities of practice. The incumbent also develops and delivers tailor-made training modules and courses related to the area of expertise as required.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING The incumbent contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of technical activities and components of programs/projects in order to enhance country level programme and funding decisions based on accurate technical data. Accountabilities may include:

• Developing monitoring and evaluation criteria for technical components of programmes and projects;
• Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance monitoring; and
• Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project viability and sustainability.

5. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES: Working in close collaboration with the Global Technical Specialist at IFAD headquarters, the Regional Technical Specialist leads and contributes to corporate initiatives of relevance for the region and the respective specialized area as required, as well as contributing to the development of corporate operational policies, approaches and strategies. The incumbent also provides substantive inputs to corporate events and technical management briefs as required.

6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Regional Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes, among others, people management through support to recruitment of technical specialists and technical leadership/capacity development, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, supervisory role and evaluation of performance of professionals and general service staff under their purview.

Position Specifics:
7. TECHNICAL ADVICE TO COUNTRY PROGRAMMES: The Regional Technical Specialist (NRM & Land and Water) working in close collaboration with the CDs and CPOs, technical experts from PMI and other relevant divisions, provides specialized technical advice to selected country programmes primarily in the APR region to improve the capacity of IFAD to position itself as an influential player in the areas of NRM, green solutions and infrastructure for land and water conservation, water harvesting and irrigation, land and water governance and tenure, and agroecology in order to achieve resilience, income and food security and nutrition benefits for rural small-scale producers and communities. Accountabilities may include:

• Providing expertise in the identification, elaboration and assessment of development investment projects and programmes in the areas of NRM, infrastructure and green solutions for land and water conservation, water harvesting and irrigation, land and water governance and tenure, and agroecology and sustainable farming and food systems, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies, and supporting their implementation
• Participating in country programme processes, including management teams and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD country strategic opportunity programmes (COSOPs) and Country Strategic Notes (CSNs), project designs as well as to policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction
• Participating in project missions as necessary, and providing technical guidance to project partners to ensure the technical quality in project implementation, and the introduction of integrated solutions for strengthening land tenure and natural resources governance and agroecology practices at farm and landscape level including bio, digital and mechanical solutions to improve productivity and resilience in IFAD projects
• Contribute to the development and/or review proposals for small and large grants in NRM, agroecology, water management and infrastructure, and land and water governance supporting new approaches in IFAD projects
• Contributing to the preparation of project designs to ensure NRM, agroecology, water management and infrastructure, and land and water governance options are considered in the context of improving incomes and sustainable food systems for small-scale producers and rural communities
• Organizing and/or contributing to training and/or capacity building activities related to NRM, infrastructure and green solutions for land and water conservation, water harvesting and irrigation, land and water governance and tenure, and agroecology and sustainable farming and food systems
• Supporting the promotion of inclusion of climate resilient, biodiversity friendly, and nutrition sensitive practices and technologies in ongoing projects, of public-private-partnerships and innovative financing and management models in NRM, agroecology and land and water governance
• Providing upstream technical review and sign-off inputs for water/NRM sections of COSOPs, CSNs and project design documents; draft short technical annexes where gaps exist.
• Participating in design and supervision missions. Through participation as project technical lead (PTL), only on request of more senior supervisor(s), and as a member of the Project Delivery Teams (PDT), the incumbent provides specialized technical advice for water and NRM and prepares mission briefs and follow-up action notes with timebound responsibilities.

Key Performance Indicators

Assignments require the provision of seasoned technical expertise and input for the full programme/project cycle as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to project methodology design and implementation, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and reporting on lessons learned and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a technical specialist at the country or regional levels, the Regional Technical Specialist's work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

Position specifics:
The Regional Technical Specialist (NRM & Land and Water) assignments require the provision of technical expertise and inputs for programs, projects and initiatives related to NRM, agroecology, land and water governance and investments in water harvesting, multiple use water facilities and irrigation. The impact of work contributes to the quality of country programmes and supports regional and corporate policy and strategy. The work supports IFAD's effectiveness as a development partner. The incumbent contributes to the selection and technical supervision of consultants, participates as an expert in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of Regional Technical Specialists involve the provision of technical advice for policy, projects and strategy development, resource mobilization, and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in mission planning, technical project design, appraisal or the preparation of studies and reports. The incumbent typically professional latitude in contacts in their field(s), providing technical leadership and methodological guidance to management, CDs/Head MCOs, national governments, development partners and other country programme staff in the technical area of specialization.

Position specifics:
The Regional Technical Specialist (NRM & Land and Water) serves as an expert in NRM, green solutions and infrastructure for land and water conservation, water harvesting and irrigation, land and water governance and tenure, and agroecology in order to achieve resilience, income and food security and nutrition benefits for rural small-scale producers and communities.

The incumbent works in the provision of technical expertise and methodological guidance at the country level, as well as regionally as required. Contacts are with counterparts and senior officials within other United Nations organizations having related programmes and with officials of governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, research institutes and academia.

In servicing intergovernmental bodies, expert groups and other meetings, the incumbent provides technical expertise and recommendations for policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and Specialist capacity; the incumbent also may provide information regarding the organization's policies, and act as the representative of the organization. Contacts are maintained to identify and evaluate emerging developments.

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
• 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 - Environmental Science, Sustainable Land and Water Management, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management and/or governance, Water engineer, Agroecology, or other sustainable farming approaches, or related fields.
  Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the fields of NRM, land and water infrastructure and governance, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to agriculture and rural development programmes.
• Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Demonstration of technical skills in NRM, land and water infrastructure and governance applied to the design and coordination of rural development projects and interventions and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
• Ability to share technical guidance / knowledge at the governmental and peer levels as well as to inspire more junior specialists and programme staff in the development of viable programme activities.
• Familiarity with application of IFIs safeguards to manage the social, climate and environmental impacts related to NRM, land and water infrastructure and governance projects and experience in dealing with private sector are strong assets.
• Experience in international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset.

Languages:

• Required: English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: Knowledge of another UN language: French, Spanish, Arabic
• Position-specific requirement: good drafting skills in English

Skills:

• Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
• 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.)
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a "Culture Carrier" demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.
• 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
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
• 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 (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)
• Social & Environmental Safeguards: Know-how in Social & Environmental compliance as specified in the IFAD's Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP)
• Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology)
• Cross-cutting themes - Gender and social inclusion: Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, targeting strategies)
• Cross-cutting themes - Nutrition: Expertise specific to nutrition cross-cutting theme (e.g. food systems)
• Project/Programme management (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and implementation

Other Information

Applicants should note that 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.

In accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD¿s remuneration package, please visit IFAD¿s compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements. See here.

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

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