Lead Regional Technical Specialist (Environment & Climate)

Organizational Context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a UN specialized agency and international financial institution dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger by investing in rural people. The Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) provides expert technical guidance for high-quality investments facilitating rural transformation. The Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG) leads the mainstreaming of environment, climate, gender, nutrition, youth, disability, indigenous peoples, and implements social, environment and climate safeguards (SECAP) to strengthen IFAD's operations.

Job Purpose

To technically lead country/regional programs and the corporate agenda by providing authoritative, state-of-the-art technical advice throughout the project cycle. This includes leading the development of programs, mainstreaming environment, climate, biodiversity, and social inclusion objectives, improving project design and implementation, mobilizing complementary financing, and shaping corporate/regional policy. The role manages a large team of technical specialists and consultants.

Responsibilities

Provides authoritative policy and strategy advice; leads knowledge advisory and sharing; builds strategic partnerships for advocacy and resource mobilization; supports monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; manages IFAD resources and contributes to staff supervision; mainstreams climate, environment, biodiversity, and social inclusion into country programs, including project design, SECAP application, co-financing, and supervision; engages in policy engagement, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts; contributes to knowledge management; and participates in corporate initiatives. Oversees and manages a team of technical specialists and consultants.

Work Experience

At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of specialization, particularly in formulating technical guidance for development programmes. Three (3) years in a multi-cultural or national organization with global scope. In-depth technical expertise in environment, natural resource management, climate change, and social inclusion issues. Proven experience leading complex project design and implementation. Experience in policy engagement, negotiation, environmental impact assessments, social safeguards, climate vulnerability assessments, project management, and resource mobilization for funds like Adaptation Fund, GEF, GCF is an asset.

Skills

Knowledge strategy & management; Evidence-based policy formulation; Advocacy; IFAD governance & mandate; Risk management; Stakeholder management; Strategy implementation; Resources management; Adaptability; Interpersonal skills; Leadership; Synthesis; Verbal and written communication; Programme/Project development and management; Social & Environmental Safeguards (SECAP); Cross-cutting themes - Environment & climate change.

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