The Senior Technical Specialist is an expert and knowledge builder in her/his thematic specialization. S/he provides technical expertise and guidance on generating and using new ideas to enrich the knowledge base that supports the Fund’s policy agenda. With corporate-, rather than country- or regional-specific focus, s/he provides substantive contributions to understanding future trends in rural development, strengthening IFAD’s strategic planning perspective and pro-actively fostering innovative and effective solutions to rural poverty within country programmes, IFAD policy, Member State governments, the academic community, and public opinion in the international development community. Work at this level is characterized by technical leadership in field of specialization, in collaboration with professional and support staff of a unit, or by the provision of authoritative technical advice. S/he works collaboratively with SKD technical specialists (both in PMI and ECG) to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and the provision of programme development support, facilitating knowledge flows and building communities of practice.
Position specifics:
The SRTS – Markets and Value Chains serves as IFAD’s technical expert in the area of value chain development and strengthened access to markets.
The SRTS – Markets and Value Chains is a professional with strong experience in supporting small farmers’ access to markets and inclusive agricultural and food value chain development programmes in developing countries. S/he technically supports the corporate agenda and country/regional programs and other IFAD activities by providing state-of-the-art technical support throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational).
Organizational Competencies:
Level 2:
- Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally;
- Communicating and negotiating – Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills;
- Demonstrating leadership – Leads by example; initiates and supports change;
- Focusing on clients – Contributes to a clientfocused culture;
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Challenges, innovates&contributes to learning culture;
- Managing performance and developing staff – Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization;
- Managing time, resources and information – Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources;
- Problem-solving and decision-making – Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact;
- Strategic thinking and organizational development – Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles;
- Team working – Fosters a cohesive team environment.
Education:
- Level – Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a job related field (*)
- Areas – Agriculture/rural development; economics (agricultural/natural resource/environmental economics, behavioural economics, development economics, trade, etc.); finance, business management, marketing or commerce, agricultural engineering, and other agriculture specializations
- Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
(*) 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 eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in and demonstrated understanding of, development investment projects and interventions in the field of markets and value chains development, of which at least 3 of the 8 years of experience should be at the international level.
- Proven exprience in the design and coordination of pro-poor value chain development projects leveraging on innovative solutions to emerging issues, including the use of digital/ICT solutions, working with the private sector and developing value chain financing instruments/initiatives and other forms of collaborations with the private sector.
- Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
- Field experience in fragility-affected countries would be an asset.
Languages:
- English (4 – Excellent);
- Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Good).
Application process