Lead Regional Technical Specialist (Rural Finance) at International Fund for Agricultural Development

Job Description (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations, was established as an international financial institution in as one of the major outcomes of the World Food Conference. The conference was organized in response to the food crises of the early s that primarily affected the Sahelian countries of Africa. It resolved that “an International Fund for Agricultural Development should be established immediately to finance agricultural development projects primarily for food production in the developing countries.” One of the most important insights emerging from the conference was that the causes of food insecurity and famine were not so much failures in food production but structural problems relating to poverty, and to the fact that the majority of the developing world’s poor populations were concentrated in rural areas. IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Seventy-five per cent of the world’s poorest people – 1.4 billion women, children and men – live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihoods.Job Profile RequirementsOrganizational Competencies:Level 2: Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externallyCommunicating and negotiating – Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skillsDemonstrating leadership – Leads by example; initiates and supports changeFocusing on clients – Contributes to a client-focused cultureLearning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning cultureManaging performance and developing staff – Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organizationManaging time, resources and information – Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resourcesProblem-solving and decision-making – Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impactStrategic thinking and organizational development – Staff in management and/or strategic leadership rolesTeam working – Fosters a cohesive team environment Education: Level – Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on in a job related field (*):Areas – Finance, Business administration, Agriculture economics, etc. Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures.Experience: At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in and demonstrated understanding of, development investment projects and interventions in the field of rural finance, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to promote inclusive and sustainable rural financial services, catalysing private sector finance and investment into rural areas through the use of relevant rural financial mechanisms.Three years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.Position-specific experience: Proven experience in the design and coordination of inclusive and sustainable rural finance 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, blending various sources of finance and instruments to promote, among others, climate finance and other forms of collaborations with the private sector. Experience in international policy frameworks related to global issues for rural finance is an asset. Languages: Required English (4 – Excellent)Desirable: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (3 – Good)