Technical Specialist (Economist)

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 Development Effectiveness (ODE) ensures that IFAD's supported projects are set to achieve their maximum impact and serve as a learning opportunity for future ones. Specifically, ODE is responsible for coordinating corporate strategy and measuring the relevance of IFADs business model in order to ensure the effective implementation of the strategy. ODE is also responsible of managing, measuring, and facilitating the effectiveness of IFAD program of work, including adequately incorporating knowledge of effectiveness and efficiency into all of its investments. Through the systematic integration of research findings, evidence-based innovations and best practices into IFAD's project design, implementation, and self-evaluation processes, the effectiveness and impact of IFAD-supported initiatives are enhanced. ODE contributes to five key corporate objectives:

• Supporting the long-term development strategy of the institution given its mandate,
• Curating evidence and disseminating effective programs, innovations and operational solutions for rural economies,
• Ensuring the appropriate feedback loops work to ensure quality through the compliance of policies, standards, and lessons learned through the whole evaluation function of IFAD,
• Driving corporate and operational effectiveness and efficiency,
• Supporting capacity development for project management, monitoring and evaluation at the country-level

ODE is led by a Managing Director, a Deputy, Chief Strategy and Effectiveness Officer, and three units: Quality Assurance and Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit (QAS); Results, Resources and Systems Unit (RRS); and Evidence for Development Impact and Innovation Unit (EDI).

EDI strengthens IFAD's ability to curate and communicate evidence that supports country dialogue, policy influence and partnerships. Working with MDBs, the CGIAR, the RBAs, academia, the private sector, research centres and others, ODE promotes exchange of evidence and innovation for greater impact. Specifically,

• The impact assessment function generates knowledge by systematically assessing the impact of IFAD investments and transmitting that knowledge internally within IFAD and to the outside world. The generated knowledge is also used to develop IFAD's strategies and support effective development.
• The knowledge management function focuses on capturing, synthesizing, and sharing knowledge generated from IFAD-funded projects and initiatives, facilitating organizational learning and capacity-building.
• The innovation function explores and promotes innovative approaches and solutions to address development challenges, driving organizational agility and adaptability.

The Impact Assessment function in the EDI unit of ODE focuses on generating and using data, knowledge, evidence, and innovation to improve operational effectiveness and report on impact; strengthening strategic partnerships for knowledge and innovation; and harnessing innovation to increase operational reach, scale and impact.

The Technical Specialist (Economist) works under the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the Managing Director ODE, and under the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist (Economist).

Job Role

The 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.

Key Functions and Results

1.TECHNICAL ADVICE: On the basis of seasoned technical knowledge and analysis of current thematic conditions, emerging development challenges and the state of rural poverty at the country, regional and global levels, the Technical Specialist provides sound technical advice to improve IFAD's s capacity to address rural poverty, to support national programmes and to enhance IFAD's reputation as a trusted and valued partner. Accountabilities may include:

• Providing technical expertise in the Identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development projects and programmes and monitoring their execution.
• Participating in country programme management teams (CPMTs) and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD country strategic opportunity papers (COSOPs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; and
• Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects Review proposals for small and large grants as required.

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Technical Specialist enhances the development of viable and sustainable policy and project development at the country-level and supports regional thematic input through seasoned technical knowledge sharing for their area of specialization. The incumbent will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen national technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include:

• Sharing knowledge and experiences generated through activities such as analytical studies and regional grants with colleagues in the country programme as well as the division.
• Conducting relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD within the region concerned and national Institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with peers, counterparts and stakeholders through drafting of technical documentation, policy briefs, seminars and workshops, through electronic media (e.g. web resource platforms and social media) and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field; and
• Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION The Technical Specialist establishes and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up to date on activities at the country and regional levels, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund's profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Accountabilities may include:

• Building partnerships with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as potential operational and strategic partners at regional and country levels.
• Strengthening IFAD's representation and communication in technical issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences fora); and
• Mobilising new resources for IFAD, in collaboration with the RBMO, through partnerships and outreach activities.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING The Technical Specialist 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. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes:

• People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under their purview.
• Resource Management by providing technical expertise for programme development, and Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring that (1) knowledge content within specialty/thematic area is continuously updated and available through the intranet, that (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net and that (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.

6. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: The Technical Specialist (Economist) contributes to the Impact Assessment program and assists in the coordination of activities in this area to support the generation and use of data, knowledge, evidence, and innovation. Accountabilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Design, plan and conduct statistical methods and analysis, including data visualization, of survey data as well as data from other sources, analysis of big data both from official systems and private sectors and disaggregation of indicators;
• Initiate and coordinate the development of appropriate methods for obtaining relevant data, ensuring the quality of collected data for accuracy, consistency and comparability;
• Prepare/update contents of training materials based on international standards, results of methodological and improved statistical methods and quantitative models for face-to-face and e-learning training sessions; and
• Provide technical input in other forms of the dissemination of the agricultural economics analysis, related poverty analysis and technical reports based on findings and lessons learned from impact assessments.

The incumbent works collaboratively with other technical specialists in the EDI unit (the Knowledge function, and the Innovation function), with other technical specialists in ODE for corporate reporting, and with DCO in selection of countries and projects to undergo impact assessment and in conducting empirical analysis and impact assessments.

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 and design of projects, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report 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 Technical Specialist's work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

The Technical Specialist (Economist), conducts impact assessments to provide policy advice on agricultural economics and rural development; conducts and delivers impacts to IFAD's projects assessed and contribute to the selection of projects for every replenishment cycle; ensure data quality and high level analytical work; support and coordinate capacity enhancement and reporting to IFAD and its donors.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of Technical Specialists at this level are primarily for the exchange of information regarding development projects. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information on national and sub-regional; conditions and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.

Contacts are with colleagues within EDI and ODE. Other counterparts within other United Nations organizations and IFI having impact evaluation or impact assessment, empirical, and analytical programmes. Contact with data collection firms and with country statistical offices are of key importance. External work relationships for Technical Specialists at this level normally require maintaining and managing professional relationships with the relevant external stakeholders and representing IFAD at conferences and international fora as required.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:

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

Education:

• Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://whed.net/home.php in Agricultural economics, Resource economics, Economics or related fields (such as, but not limited to, Development economics, Statistics, or Applied mathematics). 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 responsible professional experience is required.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope
• Position-specific experience: Experience in fieldwork and international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset.

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)

Skills:

• Evidence-based policy, Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Synthesis, Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• 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.)
• 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)
• 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)
• Verbal communication, Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• 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;
• Project/Programme management (incl. coordination, design, development), Know-how in Project design and evaluation

Position specific:

• (Development) economics, Know-how relevant to specific role as economist, e.g. development economics, macro/micro-economic analysis, conducting of economic research and applied econometrics, etc.
• Research & impact assessment, Know-how in designing, coordinating, conducting technical research & impact assessment in own thematic area

Other Information

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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