Chief, Quality Assurance Group (QAG) – P5  

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.

Corporate Services Support Group (CSSG) comprises of:  

(i) Office of the President and the Vice-Presidents (OPV)

(ii) Office of the General Counsel (LEG),

(iii) Office of Audit and Oversight (AUO);

(iv) Office of Strategic Budgeting (OSB),

(v)  Quality Assurance Group (QAG)

(vi) Change, Delivery and Innovation Unit (CDI);

(vii) Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO) and (

viii) Ethics Office (ETH), a stand-alone unit.

The Quality Assurance Group (QAG) has three core functions:

     1. To support the IFAD President, Vice President and Associate Vice President PMD as Chairs of the Operational Strategy and Policy Guidance Committee (OSC) in the  review, clearance and further development of Country Strategic Opportunity Papers (COSOPs), loan and grant concept notes and operational strategies/policies for IFAD’s Governing Bodies;

     2. To support the IFAD Vice President and/or Associate Vice President PMD to ensure the quality of the loans and grants programs through review and clearance of design documents and President’s Reports prior to approval; and

     3. To deliver robust knowledge products and facilitate knowledge sharing with IFAD, based on lessons learned from all quality assurance review processes.

The Chief, QAG works under the direct supervision of Vice-President of IFAD.

Job Role

Chiefs are responsible for managing a Fund division or office and serve on IFAD’s senior management team. The main focus of Chiefs positions is strategic leadership, innovation and management. Most typically as a member of a departmental management team, they are responsible for managing and supervising the delivery of a division’s work programme within an allocated budget.

Position specifics: The Chief, Quality Assurance Group QAG is responsible for directing and managing the QAG division and serves on IFAD’s senior management team. S/he is responsible for ensuring quality assurance of IFAD operations and project design/implementation of Loans and Grants as Secretary of the OSC and by overseeing the QA for loans and grants; manage knowledge management activities of the Unit; build strategic partnerships as well as oversee the administrative management of the Unit including the areas of HR, budget and planning.

Key Functions and Results

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE OF IFAD OPERATIONS: The Chief, Quality Assurance Group, is responsible for the management of the QAG unit as a team by streamlining processes and building synergies across the three functions relating to the OSC and quality reviews for loans and grants. In particular, s/he performs the following activities: 
        a) Provide strategic advice and direct support to the Vice-President, facilitate the successful execution of QAG activities/services to corporate clients and key external partners; formulate operational procedures, QAG Unit’s contributions to ensure cross-Secretariat coherence, and complementarity and synergy. 
        b) Serve as Secretary to the Operational Strategy and policy guidance Committee (OSC), which entails managing the OSC reviews and preparing the OSC issues papers for Country Strategic Opportunities Programmes (COSOPs) and standalone project concept notes for loans and grants. 
        c) Manage and conduct the QA review for COSOPs to ensure integration of corporate strategies and policies as well as key development approaches. In addition, provide strategic guidance and support to specific COSOP development and engaging divisions in the use of knowledge products and guidance tools. 
       d) Develop and manage any revisions to the Quality Assurance processes for the IFAD programme of Loans and Grants to ensure their effectiveness and efficiency as well as coherence with policies and procedures. 
        e) Strategically plan for smooth and efficient delivery of QA reviews and dissemination of information on QA activities, including the development and expansion of QUASAR across the three functions. 
        f) Support senior management in the development of strategic guidance related to the corporate grants program linked to the Strategic Framework and Corporate Medium-Term Plan. 
        g) Ensure coherence of the Grant Programmes with the grant policy, coordinating the grant- programme cycle; oversee the corporate grant-portfolio      including presentation/reporting to the Executive Board. Manage a competitive Grant Programme resource allocation process in-house based on the MTP and annual Strategic Guidance note.
2. MANAGEMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES: The Chief, Quality Assurance Group, supports and supplements the corporate Knowledge Management (KM) and Innovation strategies in collaboration with internal and external partners and leads the development of the quality-at-entry QUASAR; champions reform of aspects of IFAD’s Loans and Grants design process; presents the status of quality-at-entry in IFAD’s project design to EB annual report; manages the development and dissemination of knowledge products based on QA recommendations and linkages between grants and loans; and reports on the grants portfolio. S/he acts as a catalyst for evidence-based knowledge management, sharing and learning in IFAD’s country programmes.
3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: The Chief, QAG, provides strategic advice and direct support to the Vice-President and facilitates the successful execution of QAG activities/services to corporate clients and key external partners. In preparing the annual strategic guidance note, facilitates the identification of the key corporate strategic partners for IFAD grants programme. The Chief, QAG, also will engage with quality assurance counterparts in other IFls and other UN agencies to share learning and knowledge.
4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Chief QAG is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources including assigned human resource, financial and material resources and related processes as well as contract management of services. S/he is accountable for inputs to budget preparation and monitoring of expenditures and is responsible for managing the unit administration including HR management, financial/oudget management, preparation of the unit DMP, unit Performance Conversations and unit performance tracking/Monitoring systems. S/he Motivates, coaches and supports staff of the Unit to create a cohesive team that works effectively to achieve common goals and objectives.

Key Performance Indicators

Within IFAD’s overall Strategic Framework and Medium Term Plan, Chiefs establish IFAD’s priorities for and provide leadership to division level programme and operational management activities and are accountable for a results-based approach to meeting assigned goals and objectives. Leadership activities include the optimum utilization of human, financial, technology and material resources for the achievement of greater efficiency and effectiveness. The incumbents’ impact extends beyond the successful achievement of divisional goals and objectives to include larger departmental goals and objectives in strategic planning collaboration. The expected results indirectly benefit the ultimate stakeholders. The key performance indicators for Chiefs include leadership in viable strategic planning, authoritative and relevant policy development and advice, sustainable programme decisions and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of the Fund’s human, financial and material resources assigned to the division.

Position specifics: The Chief QAG at this level provides technical and managerial leadership to the Quality Assurance Process, including (i) acting as Secretary of the OSC and ensuring quality assurance of IFAD operations and project design/implementation of Loans and Grants and overseeing the QA for loans and grants: (ii) managing knowledge management activities of the Unit; (iii) building strategic partnerships; and (iv) managing QAG, including the areas of HR, budget and planning.

Working Relationships

Within IFAD, Chiefs provide authoritative advice to senior management on the division’s or office’s vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational management. They are accountable for collaboration  and coordination  within  the Fund to ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme planning and activities. 
Externally Chiefs develop partnerships and collaborative relationships with counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFls, non-governmental organizations and academic  institutions  for the purpose of programme co-operation,  knowledge sharing,  policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization.
Chiefs represent the Fund in official  United Nations committees and networks, and in international financial institution, multilateral and bilateral meetings, symposia, fora and conferences upon request of the President, and build organizational networks with peers in major private,  public and international financial institutions.

Position specifics: The Chief, QAG, provides strategic advice and direct support to the Vice-President. S/he holds regular consultations with IFAD counterparts in PMD front office, PTA regarding the QE review, the regional divisions regarding the Quality Assurance review for COSOPs, loans and grants. For learning and knowledge management products, s/he will additionally engage with SKD divisions and the Independent Office of Evaluation. With regards to reporting on IFAD’s annual quality assurance performance which is reported in the RIDE, s/he will engage with Executive Board members and the public.

Job Profile Requirements

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 job related field
• Areas – economics, development studies, or a closely related subject.   
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php .

Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in technically related area of operations  in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope; 
• Five (5) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Position-specific experience: Recognised management skills in a multicultural setting, combined with ability to achieve results through motivating people and influencing partners. Proven leadership capacity and ability to lead interdisciplinary teams. Builds strategic alliances and enhances IFAD identity with clients. Knowledge of policy oriented, programme based pro-poor approaches and loan and grant preparation. Extensive field experience related to agricultural and rural development. Senior expert in programme development and management as well as specific expertise in rural project management and market development.

Languages:

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

Skills:

• Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD’s vision to external actors
• IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD’s partners’ functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors
• 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
• Business process improvement: Know-how in business process improvement to advise and support clients to build systems and processes with sound internal controls and business efficiency.
• 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
• 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.
• Resources management: Know-how in the management of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources
• 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
• Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a “Culture Carrier” demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through his/her work.
• 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)
• Integrity and ethics: Strong emphasis on acting with honesty, not tolerating unethical behaviour, demonstrating equity, impartiality and sensitivity in exercising authority and interacting with staff, and other  stakeholders. Conduct must be guided by IFAD core values, the Code of conduct and a high sense of ethics.
• 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.
• Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice
• 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
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Programme/Project development, management: Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management

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.

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.

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.

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. 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.