Chief Partnership Officer, America Liaison Office (ALO),  P-5 Washington, USA – GPR

This position is also included in the pool of positions made available to IFAD staff members in the context of the 2024 reassignment exercise. Priority will be given to internal staff in reassignment who are deemed appointable for positions at the same grade level.

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 External Relations Department (ERD)*, comprising the Communications Division (COM) and the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR), leads IFAD’s public and political advocacy, including engagement with Member States and other stakeholders through global policy engagement and other global processes. The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) Division has a specific focus on global engagement, partnerships (including with the private sector, foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations), and on driving the resource mobilization efforts with traditional and non-traditional donors and partners.

Within this framework, the GPR Division addresses Global engagement and multilateral relations; strategic partnerships; and replenishment and resource mobilization, including supplementary funds and blended finance. The mission of the Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) is to enhance IFAD’s contribution to inclusive and sustainable rural transformation and Agenda 2030 through strengthening global engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization.

The Global Engagement, Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) coordinates the following decentralized Liaison Offices: (a) the Americas Liaison Office (ALO) in Washington: (b) the UN liaison office in New York, (c) the Gulf Liaison Office (GLO) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (d) the Japan Liaison Office (JLO) in Yokohama, Japan, and a newly established presence in Brussels (EU/BRX).

The Chief Partnership Officer, ALO works under the direct supervision of the Director, GPR. 

*The structure of IFAD is currently undergoing a recalibration process. The definite set-up of the External Relations Department is being finalized and is subject to confirmation of institutional processes requirements.

The Chief Partnership Officer is a policy and strategy leader who works across GPR organizational units with cross-functional key partner management teams to leverage relationship management skills, assets and, most importantly, professional social networks. The incumbent contributes to leveraging IFAD’s impact to enable more rural people to move out of poverty through the selective use, and effective management, of partnerships. The incumbent works on strengthening partnerships with member states and their institutions, engaging with non-sovereign actors, and through lending and non-lending tools.

By virtue of the partners in both Washington and New York, the Chief Partnership Officer, ALO is a key player and an integral part of IFAD’s involvement in and contributions to policy dialogues on a wide range of issues within IFAD’s sphere of global engagement. The Chief Partnership Officer, ALO is responsible for:

•       Supporting IFAD’s strategic engagement with the Americas and leading on communication efforts between the U.S. and Canadian government officials and lawmakers and IFAD management, transmitting IFAD’s messages in a transparent manner and ensuring that the U.S. and Canadian Administrations, legislatures, and other key actors understand the Fund’s objectives and how these align with U.S. and Canadian objectives when it comes to development, foreign aid and foreign policy.

•        Providing leadership in resource mobilization, partnerships, advocacy so as to better position IFAD in the Americas.  This includes engaging and managing activities with IFAD colleagues at HQ and in ICOs as well as legislative committees to communicate the status of IFAD’s programmes and policies as well as preparing and providing materials representing the Fund’s position on pertinent issues in preparation for Congressional hearings and other events.

•       Acting as a key interlocutor within a wider U.S., Canadian, and UN community, including International Financial Institutions and UN institutions and offices in New York and Washington DC.

1. LEADING A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TEAM ON STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS: The Chief Partnership Officer manages the work of the team and is responsible for implementation of the programmatic and operational activities of IFAD. Accountabilities may include: (a) Providing policy advice to the Director and developing forward-looking strategic proposals on partnership engagement and resource mobilization; (b) Developing and maintaining strategic partnership and collaboration with Governments, public and private institutions including NGOs, Foundations and Research entities in the Region through policy dialogue; (c) Overseeing advocacy and knowledge sharing within deliberative and policy processes in the region and leveraging expertise to advise Senior Management on regional strategic issues as required; (d) Organizing and coordinating representation activities to secure support for, and implement policy, to achieve the objectives of the organization; (e) Advising on issues affecting the organization’s external relations. 

2. LEADING GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND MULTILATERAL RELATIONS EFFORTS IN ASSIGNED REGIONS:  The Chief Partnership Officer leads the development and implementation of corporate strategies for the engagement in global policy debates. The incumbent is a leading professional who has the overall responsibility of IFAD’s engagement in global processes of policy dialogue relative to IFAD’s mandate and produces an annual assessment of achievements in the fora. The incumbent enhances the development of innovative, viable and sustainable policy through authoritative advice in the focus areas. The incumbent develops and maintains a network of external peer contacts to keep up to date on activities to support joint advocacy to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable development partner.

3. LEADING REPLENISHMENT, RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN ASSIGNED REGIONS: The Chief Partnership Officer develops and maintains a network of key stakeholders in the assigned regions to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner. The Chief is responsible for the delivery of a number of key outputs, including: (a) Ensuring sustained support from current funding sources for IFADs replenishment process; (b) Identifying and cultivating potential new sources of funds; (c) Ensuring increased, consistent, and strategic visibility for IFAD in its resource mobilisation efforts; (d) Positioning IFAD to exert greater influence by expanding partnerships and increasing resources for smallholders; (e) Representing IFAD amongst relevant intergovernmental organizations and international financial institutions, in particular those based in Washington DC.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Chief Partnership Officer is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: (a) People Management through support to recruitment of Senior/Partnership Officers, capacity building, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, supervision and evaluation of performance of consultants, short-term staff, interns and staff under their purview; (b) Resource Management by providing strategic and technical advice for Knowledge and Content Management; (c) Information and reporting through effective engagement with internal and external clients; (d) Leading the preparation, monitoring and implementation of the team’s annual work plan and budget.

The Chief Partnership Officer, ALO:

•       Leads the Americas Liaison Office, manages the work of the Liaison Office and is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the programmatic and operational activities of IFAD Liaison Office. The incumbent a) Provides policy guidance to the Director and develops forward-looking strategic proposals on resource mobilization; b) Develops and maintains strategic partnership and collaboration with Governments, public and private institutions including NGOs, Foundations and Research entities in the Region through policy dialogue; c) Oversees advocacy and knowledge sharing within deliberative and policy processes in the region and leverages expertise to advise Senior Management on regional strategic issues as required; d) Organizes and coordinates representation activities to secure support for, and implement policy and achieve objectives of, the organization; prepares reports and writes commentaries on key briefs and reports; e) Advises on issues affecting the organization’s external relations

•       Keeps management and staff informed on potential partnership’s criteria and priorities which may include a) Establishing and maintaining effective methods for regular communication and knowledge sharing between IFAD and key stakeholders in the Region; b) Ensuring on-going analysis, monitoring and reporting on the partnership activities in the Region available to senior management and IFAD colleagues.

•         With specific reference to outreach with U.S. and Canada governments and partners, the Chief Partnership Officer, ALO: a)  Ensures the development and implementation of an effective outreach and advocacy strategy with the U.S. and Canada, identifying and cultivating champions, promoting increased awareness of IFAD and its mandate, highlighting synergies and complementarities with the countries’ position and strategy vis-á-vis issues of mutual relevance; b)  Ensures that ALO provides timely intelligence and analysis of relevant developments and activities within U.S. and Canada, and other partners of relevance to the Fund; c)  Develops and maintains strong relations with U.S. and Canada-based advocacy groups, e.g. InterAction, the Alliance to End Hunger, Food Tank, SDG2 Advocacy Hub, etc., in the U.S., and Food Security Policy Group, Farm Radio, Canadian Food Grains Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), etc., in Canada.

 

 

Assignments require the provision of authoritative professional expertise. The Chief Partnership Officer leads and manages the team and represents IFAD amongst intergovernmental organizations and international financial institutions based in the assigned regions. Work at this level is considered of critical concern to the Fund as it serves to improve IFAD’s partnerships, corporate outreach and engagement in the assigned regions. An inadequate handling of activities may result in damaging the credibility of the Fund with partners in the assigned regions.

The Chief Partnership Officer serves as the Fund’s lead expert in the team and exercises wide professional latitude in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships and collaboration with key contacts in the assigned regions and with relevant agencies and organizations in order to expand partnerships and increase resources for smallholders. The incumbent acts as a credible voice of the organization and represents IFAD combining the capacity to present, identify opportunities, establish frameworks for interaction and maintain/grow relationships over time.

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 client-focused 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 – Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area. 

•       Areas – Economics, Political Sciences, Public Policy, Public Administration, Development Studies or related field.

•       Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .

Experience:

•       At least ten (10) years of progressively relevant experience is required. 

•       At least eight (8) years’ experience in a multi-cultural/international organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.

•     Significant experience in resource mobilization, including the development and implementation of strategies to secure funding from a variety of sources such as bilateral donors, private sector, climate funds, and philanthropic organizations.

•       Strong background in strategic advocacy and policy influence, with experience representing organizations at high-level international forums and in negotiations, fostering strategic alliances with key stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, financial institutions, private sector, and other actors.

•     Demonstrated experience and ability at leading and managing multicultural teams, preferably in an international financial institution through a combination of corporate and field-based experience. Successful track record in establishing, building and managing partnerships with various stakeholders. Knowledge of development finance systems is desirable. Experience and knowledge of rural development in the Region.

Languages:

•       Required English (4 – Excellent) 

•       Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Good) 

Skills:

•       Ability to bring in diverse actors into funding strategies and projects;

•       Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD’s vision to external actors;

•      Partnership building: Ability to formulate new approaches or identify new opportunities to build relationships with both traditional and non-traditional partners, focusing on impact and results;

•     Policy dialogue: Know-how in the representation of IFAD as a trusted and strategic partner; effective consultations with IFAD counterparts – like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society;

•       Resource mobilization: Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN;

•      UN and IFI documentation & processes: Knowledge of the relevant policies, rules, regulations and guidelines on document processing and distribution within the UN and other IFIs;

•      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;

•       Performance management: Know-how in managing performance so that staff supervised deliver on the agreed objectives and meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD. Is proficient in establishing clear performance goals (operational and behavioural) and learning plans as well as in evaluating the performance of staff against the set goals;

•       Change management: Role modelling, anticipation of key risks & conflicts and formulation of contingency plans/solutions, action-oriented;

•      Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions;

•     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);

•       Leadership: Group thought leader, sought out by others and providing mentorship and effective guidance to others; ability to build trust, inside and outside the organization by acting as a role model for IFAD’s core values and competencies, and to provide a clear sense of direction, mentorship and effective guidance to the team, strategizing the IFAD’s goals, giving the vision, empowering the team and ensuring a positive environment for all;

•       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;

•       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.)

This position is also included in the pool of positions made available to IFAD staff members in the context of the 2024 reassignment exercise. Priority will be given to internal staff in reassignment who are deemed appointable for positions at the same grade level.

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.

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 in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.https://webapps.ifad.org/members/eb/134/docs/EB-2021-134-R-9.pdf ; https://www.ifad.org/documents/38711624/42415556/SEA_e_web.pdf/85275c4d-8e3f-4df0-9ed8-cebaacfab128?t=1611326846000

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. 

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.

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 interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

*The structure of IFAD is currently undergoing a recalibration process. The definite set-up of the External Relations Department is being finalized and is subject to confirmation of institutional processes requirements.