Call for Interest: Short term Opportunity for 12 months - Senior Project Coordinator (Rural Development Report)

This call is advertised as a short-term assignment with a duration of 12 months months and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures' definition of 'internal') be selected, the contract type would be that of a short-term professional (TPO). In the event an IFAD staff member, holding a Fixed Term contract be selected, the movement would be implemented as a Temporary Assignment through the applicable provisions. Applicants should verify and obtain their supervisors' support to be released.

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.

IFAD is starting the process of preparation of the 2025 edition of the Rural Development Report (RDR), a flagship publication for the organization. Launched in 2016 and with 3 past editions, the RDR aspires to summarize the state of the art in an area of interest for investing in the rural poor. The 2025 Edition of the RDR will focus on financing for rural transformation. The RDR will aim to present an evidence-based policy agenda that informs financing strategies for rural transformation at multiple levels, including institutional, bilateral, country and project levels, as well as for other key stakeholders. 

The RDR will be developed in parallel with IFAD’s new Strategic Framework. (2025-2031). IFAD's Strategic Framework articulates the overarching goal, principles of engagement, strategic objectives, outcomes and pillars of results delivery to guide IFAD’s operations. The current framework runs from 2016-2025, meaning a revised framework is required. It’s development will include conducting Strategic Foresight analysis and extensive stakeholder consultations.

Specifically, in collaboration with the Technical Lead, the Coordinator will:

• Coordinate the RDR project management activities from its inception phase to the publication and dissemination. 
• Convene and ensures coordination of activities  of the RDR Secretariat and the RDR team.
• Develop detailed work plan outlining deliverables, responsibilities, and timeframe; and ensure its timely implementation and results delivery. 
• Set up the internal RDR Working Group and the external Expert Advisory Group, ensuring their regular meetings, agenda, background documentation as well as taking action points and following up on their implementation.
• Prepare documentation for IFAD internal clearance and approval processes, such as EMC, OMC memos, etc. 
• Under the supervision and guidance of a senior lead, support budget management and ensure budget commitments and disbursements are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure timely project administration and management of procurement of services: from consultants and external services providers and partners.
• Prepare the TORs for the inputs to the RDR (background papers), setting out specific deliverables and KPIs. Organize the procurement process and follow up on contractual arrangements with the service providers.  
• Engage relevant internal and external partners in extensive consultation throughout the process; and ensure the provision of their expertise to the RDR and its implementation process.
• Coordinate with the Technical Lead to produce regular production of short knowledge products to share insights coming out of the work to share internally and externally, and help to feed these insights into other IFAD processes including its new Strategic Framework
• Support the parallel development of the new IFAD Strategic Framework (2025-2031), including supporting consultations and the drafting process.

The Senior Project Coordinator (Rural Development Report) will work in SKD’s front office under the leadership and supervision of the AVP SKD and in close collaboration with the SKD’s Knowledge Unit.  The incumbent will provide day to day coordination of the RDR team consisting of a project technical lead and a research assistant, and ensure synergies with the development of the new IFAD Strategic Framework.
 
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Programme Management or similar subject areas 
• At least 8 years of project management experience
• Prior experience of managing research projects is a must.
• Knowledge of rural development and/or development finance is a must 
• Proven team leadership experience. 
• Languages: English mother tongue or fluent in English (with solid written and oral communication), knowledge of other IFAD official language is desirable
• Excellent Communication skills, verbal and written 
• Comfortable working with uncertainty and managing their own schedule.

Please note that this 12 month support carries no expectation of extension, continuous employment or conversion to any other type of appointment. Temporary assignments are open to staff members, holding a FT/continuing contract and are governed by the applicable HRIP provisions. Temporary assignments may include movement to a higher grade and granting of a special post allowance (SPA) in line with the provisions of HRIP Chapter 3, and at the end of the temporary assignment staff will return to their former position at the original grade. Applicants should verify and obtain their supervisors' support to release in the event they are selected. Candidates may be required to take a written test and participate in interviews.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interviews. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful. Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org