Lead Global Rural Development Specialist

Job Purpose:

• To lead the Rural Development unit and advise management and staff on strategy and long range interventions on portfolio, policy, operations and strategic partnerships. The role also requires the jobholder:
• To conceive, develop and promote innovations in Bank Policy, operational procedures, project/program design in organization and management of operations in rural development in IDB member countries.
• To provide advisory services and technical guidance in matter related to Rural Development. Builds, collaborates, engages with and nurtures a network of developers to ensure that IDB follows best practices in project management and in development of sector strategy.

Key Accountabilities :

Strategic & Operational Planning:

• Cornubite to annual work program and budget preparation activities of the sector.
• Participate and contribute to the preparation of key strategy papers, new programs and knowledge product development to ensure the unit is contributing to overall goal of the bank. Development of products for resource mobilization.
• Lead the analytical/economic and sector work (ESW) as well as sector dialogue during Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) and programming missions.
• Provide technical input and lead the development, review and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Rural Development Unit and Core Sector Indicators (CSI) in IsDB financed projects in Member Countries to ensure the highest level of efficiency is achieved.
• Provide technical leadership to the Rural Development team on all strategic matters

Sector Portfolio Management:

• Ensure quality throughout project lifecycle of IsDB financed projects to ensure all projects abide by the high-quality standards demanded by the Bank through involvement in the projects design stage and review the final projects documentation.
• Monitor sector portfolio implementation in order to ensure its successful implementation or take corrective measures if necessary in coordination with Regional Hubs.
• Lead the preparation of Project Completion Reports (PCRs).
• Contribute to the Country /sector portfolio reviews exercises.
• Participate/provide guidance during the project’s formulation and design and participate in all meetings discussing the projects formulation to ensure the proper quality.

Policies, Processes and Procedures:

• Oversee to the design, review and implementation of the IsDB’s policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the rural development sector interventions to ensure alignment with local and industry standards.
• Ensure compliance with IsDB’s policies and guidelines to ensure quality in the operational work of rural development sector as well as maintaining good working relationships with various clients.

Knowledge Sharing & Innovation:

• Lead initiatives at the rural development level to establish an operational framework and approach to knowledge dissemination and/or development of knowledge products.
• Undertake benchmarking and harmonize activities with other MDBs on best practices for rural development.

Reporting & Communication:

• Produce and lead preparation of a range of key policy papers, regional studies, operational reports, etc.
• Serve as focal point or spokesperson on technical, policy and operational issues to clients and other external constituencies and expert groups.
• Communicate with various stakeholders for resolution of issues and provide clarification on technical matters as needed.

Educations, Certifications & Experience :

Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and rural development, agriculture economics, natural resource management or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in social development sector, 5 of which in multilateral development bank and/or international development agencies and minimum 3 years in the managerial/supervisory role.
• Experience in Rural Development or related fields

Skills & Necessary Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Rural Development trends in MCs and NMCs.
• Knowledge in conceptualizing, designing and managing Food and Nutrition Projects/ programs.

Project management

• Strong analytical (sector analysis, diagnosis studies and country context analysis)
• Proven track publication record.
• Result development management
• Team leader

Languages:

• English Mandatory
• French Preferred
• Arabic Preferred

Source: https://www.isdbcareers.com/careers/isdb/VacancyDetail.aspx?VacancyID=170305