Technical Specialist (Indigenous Peoples)

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 Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD’s strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD’s operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness, by generating  and disseminating IFAD’s development knowledge and evidence on strategic themes, and encouraging innovative application of cutting-edge global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments to support countries tackle their most complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. SKD is composed of the (i) Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG); the (ii) Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI); and the (iii) Research and Impact Assessment Division (RIA).

ECG is composed of two clusters: (i) Environment and Climate Change Cluster; (ii) and the Social Inclusion Cluster. ECG takes the lead in integrating cross-cutting themes of environment and climate, nutrition, gender, youth, and indigenous peoples into IFAD’s portfolio, with the aim of strengthening the quality and impact of IFAD’s operations. ECG also contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD-funded projects and activities. In addition, ECG provides guidance and support to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women, indigenous peoples and rural youth, into IFAD operations. Addressing environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues are inseparable from IFAD’s mission to overcome poverty.

The Technical Specialist (Indigenous Peoples) works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the  Director, ECG and the direct supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist (Indigenous Peoples).

The Technical Specialist is a seasoned professional in a specialized thematic area; the incumbent reports either to a more senior Technical Specialist or to the divisional Director. At this level Technical Specialists independently analyse technical and policy problems of concern to IFAD, intergovernmental bodies, and national authorities and provide substantive technical input to the development of policies, technical strategies and proposals. The incumbent may work collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.

Position specifics: The Technical Specialist (Indigenous Peoples) works collaboratively with respective ECG Technical Specialists (both Environmental/Climate and Social Inclusion), PMI thematic specialists, country teams and other staff across IFAD to ensure coherence, consistency and ultimately the good performance of IFAD’s funded projects in all stages of the project cycle. The Indigenous Peoples team leads the implementation of the IFAD’s Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples, as well as of other corporate priorities, including IFAD13 commitments related to Indigenous Peoples. Considering the broad Indigenous Peoples’ agenda to implement, the team works in close collaboration with the other teams in the social inclusion cluster, with the regional divisions in PMD, and across IFAD.

1.TECHNICAL ADVICE: On the basis of seasoned technical knowledge and analysis of current thematic conditions, emerging development challenges and the state of rural poverty at the country, regional and global levels, the Technical Specialist provides sound technical advice to improve IFAD’s s capacity to address rural poverty, to support national programmes and to enhance IFAD’s reputation as a trusted and valued partner. 
Accountabilities may include: 

• Providing technical expertise in the Identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development projects and programmes and monitoring their execution;
• Participating in country programme management teams (CPMTs) and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD country strategic opportunity papers (COSOPs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; and
• Participating in project missions as necessary and pilot methods of analysis for IFAD projects Review proposals for small and large grants as required.

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Technical Specialist enhances the development of viable and sustainable policy and project development at the country-level and supports regional thematic input through seasoned technical knowledge sharing for the area of specialization. The incumbent will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen national technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include:

• Sharing knowledge and experiences generated through activities such as analytical studies and regional grants with colleagues in the country programme as well as the division;
• Conducting relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD within the region concerned and national Institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with peers, counterparts and stakeholders through drafting of Occasional Papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media (e.g. web resource platforms and social media) and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field; and
• Participating in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes.

3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION The Technical Specialist establishes and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at the country and regional levels, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Accountabilities may include: 

• Building partnerships with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as potential operational and strategic partners at regional and country levels;
• Strengthening IFAD’s representation and communication in technical issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences I); and
• Mobilizing new resources for IFAD, in collaboration with the RBMO, through partnerships and outreach activities.

4. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING The Technical Specialist contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of technical activities and components of programs/projects in order to enhance country level programme and funding decisions based on accurate technical data. Accountabilities may include: 

• Developing monitoring and evaluation criteria for technical components of programmes and projects;
• Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance monitoring; and
• Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project viability and sustainability.

5. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes: 

• People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under their purview.
• Resource Management by providing technical expertise for programme development, and Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring that (1) knowledge content within specialty/thematic area is continuously updated and available through the intranet, that (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net and that (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.

Position specifics:

6.  TECHNICAL ADVICE: The Technical Specialist will provide support to knowledge generation and analysis of current issues related to Indigenous Peoples, persistent and emerging development challenges, and opportunities attached to engagement with Indigenous Peoples to: (i) improve the targeting and the performance of IFAD’s portfolio implemented in areas home to Indigenous Peoples; (ii) influence national government policies and programmes; and (iii) position IFAD as a trusted and valued partner.
Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist, Indigenous Peoples, the incumbent will:

• Support thematic analysis and studies and sharing of country-level innovations in the field of specialization;
• Support the provision to IFAD staff and partners with up-to-date professional advice on policy and technical issues related to Indigenous Peoples;
• Support thematic analysis to ensure that strategies for targeting and engaging with Indigenous Peoples are appropriate for the country context.

7. COUNTRY PROGRAMME ADVICE AND DEVELOPMENT: Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist, the incumbent will ensure appropriate and up-to-date technical advice to country programs, including the preparation of country strategies, and project design and implementation. In particular the incumbent will: 

• Provide technical support to Project Delivery Teams (PDTs), project management staff, consultants, and national programmes at all stages of the project cycle, including undertaking design, implementation support and supervision missions, to ensure good practices are fully integrated into projects and country strategies;
• Support provision of trainings to staff on Indigenous Peoples’ issues, the IFAD Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples, and the Free, Prior and Informed Consent and all processes related to IFAD’s Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP), the IFAD safeguards for managing risks and impacts.
• Contribute to building synergies with the other thematic areas under ECG, i.e. gender, youth, nutrition, biodiversity and climate in country programmes;
• Support the management of the Indigenous Peoples’ Assistance Facility (IPAF) at country level. The IPAF, as one of the instruments to implement the principles of engagement of the Policy, is a funding instrument that finances small projects that foster self-driven development and strengthen indigenous peoples’ communities and their organizations.
• Support the country-level processes of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at IFAD (IPFI), including managing relationship with its Steering Committee.

8. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Technical Specialist will support capturing, systematizing, and sharing the results generated from IFAD portfolio of loan and grants, and of the Indigenous Peoples’ Assistance Facility, and engage in new and existing knowledge partnerships. In particular s/he will:

• Support the dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned with IPAF partners, IFAD country programs, regional divisions and outside partners, by preparing presentations for seminars and workshops, publishing blogs and articles, engaging with COM division on social media campaigns, and developing new knowledge products and operational tools.
• Participate in thematic discussions and in policy and technical dialogue/processes and strategy issues, both within IFAD and representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars, conferences etc.
• Support the Senior Technical Specialist in corporate knowledge management and reporting requirements, including through the management of the database of IFAD-funded projects targeting Indigenous Peoples.

9. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION: The Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up to date on activities at country, regional and global levels, to support joint advocacy and enhance the Fund’s profile as a result-oriented and trusted and viable partner to Indigenous Peoples and to all actors willing to engage with them. In particular the incumbent will:

• Engage in and manage partnerships with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations at country, regional and global level, with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies, as both operational and global advocacy partners. This includes also support to the engagement with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and participation in the Inter Agency Support Group (IASG) on Indigenous Issues.
• Support efforts to mobilize additional financial and human resources, in particular for IPAF, in collaboration with colleagues in the Global Engagement, Partnerships and Resources Mobilization Division, especially from bilateral partners and private foundations.

10. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes, among others, people management through support to recruitment of consultants and technical leadership/capacity development, coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff. In particular the incumbent will:

• Act as a member of the IPAF Secretariat, managing the IPAF;
• Support the management of small and large grant programmes and supplementary-funded programmes;
• Support the process of the Indigenous Peoples Forum at IFAD (IPFI), including: providing overall support to the organization of the regional meetings and the global meetings of the IPFI, as a way for institutional strengthening of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations; facilitating coordination with the Steering Committee of the Ips Forum at IFAD and exchanges/synergies with IFAD country teams; supervising consultants and interns

Assignments require the provision of seasoned technical expertise and input for the full programme/project cycle as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to project methodology and design of projects, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a technical specialist at the country or regional levels, the Technical Specialist’s work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

The work relationships of Technical Specialists at this level are primarily for the exchange of information regarding development projects. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information on national and sub-regional; conditions and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.

Position specific:  

The work relationships of the Technical Specialist involve participating in mission planning, technical project design, preparation of background thematic studies and reports. The incumbent provides technical expertise and methodological guidance at the country, regional and global level and works under the supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist. Contacts are with Indigenous Peoples and civil society organizations, non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations, bilateral donors and foundations funding the IPAF, counterparts withing the UN having related programmes.

Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:

• Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Communicating and negotiating – Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
• Demonstrating leadership – Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Focusing on clients – Focuses on clients
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
• Managing performance and developing staff –
• Managing time, resources and information – Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Problem-solving and decision-making – Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Strategic thinking and organizational development – Personal influence
• Team working – Contributes effectively to the team

Education: 

• Level – Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area.  Areas –  Social studies, social sciences, development studies, Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics etc.
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php

(*) Note:  For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD’s Human Resources Implementing Procedures. 

Work experience: 

• At least five (5) years progressively responsible professional experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Position-specific experience:  Seasoned technical expertise at the country and regional on Indigenous Peoples’ and social inclusion.
• Skill in the design and coordination of technical approaches and tools to Indigenous Peoples’ engagement and inclusion, and in the identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
• Experience in the area of development initiatives focusing on social inclusion and demonstrated understanding of issues related to engagement with Indigenous Peoples, including carrying out analysis to inform project design and implementation strategies.
• Ability to share technical guidance/knowledge at the peer level.
• Experience in design, implementation, supervision and performance monitoring and evaluation of social inclusion programmes targeting Indigenous Peoples in rural context.
• Experience in the international policy frameworks related to Indigenous Peoples.

Languages:

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

Skills:  

• Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• 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)
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• 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
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• 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.)
• Project/Programme mgmt (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and evaluation

Position specific 

• Cross-cutting themes – Gender and social inclusion, Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, targeting strategies);
• Knowledge strategy & management, Extensive expertise in knowledge management & dissemination strategies; Technical expertise related to roles in Knowledge management (e.g. conceptualization, development and dissemination of knowledge products and learning)
• Programme/Project development, management, Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management
• Advocacy, Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD’s vision to external actors
• IFAD governance & mandate, In depth knowledge of IFAD’s governance structure, mandate, strategic priorities and technical work
• 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
• Resource mobilization, Know-how in resource mobilization strategies (including marketing and communication) for IFI, international public bodies and within the UN
  

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.

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.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as 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 interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

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 IFAD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and IFAD policy to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

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