Managing Director of Development Effectiveness and Corporate Strategy

Organizational Context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency focused on eradicating rural poverty and hunger by investing in rural people. IFAD finances projects to increase agricultural productivity and rural incomes, advocating for rural transformation policies. The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) ensures IFAD's programs achieve maximum impact, coordinates corporate strategy, measures the business model's relevance, and manages program effectiveness by integrating research, evidence, and best practices into project design, implementation, and evaluation.

Job Purpose

The Managing Director, ODE, a member of IFAD's Senior Management Team, holds executive accountability for ensuring IFAD's program of work is strategically coherent, operationally effective, and demonstrably impactful. This involves ensuring investments are designed for maximum development results, corporate strategy is evidence-based, and robust quality, safeguards, and evaluation systems are fully operational across the institution. The role provides intellectual and managerial leadership for ODE's objectives.

Responsibilities

Lead the coordination, design, and monitoring of IFAD's corporate strategy; guide the development and implementation of key operational policies, guidelines, regulations, and compliance frameworks; oversee monitoring and reporting on replenishment commitments; provide evidence-based assessments of IFAD's business model; hold ultimate institutional accountability for quality at entry of country strategies and operations; lead independent technical reviews of design quality; ensure effectiveness and efficiency are embedded throughout IFAD's project cycle with systematic feedback loops; provide strategic oversight of environmental and social safeguards compliance; champion the integration of research and evidence-based innovations into project design; oversee corporate results reporting and portfolio performance monitoring; manage IFAD's self-evaluation architecture, including core resource allocation (PBAS) and access to borrowed resources (BRAM); oversee the coordination and development of corporate ICT systems and databases for operations, leading data governance and GIS initiatives; provide intellectual leadership on development effectiveness, directing the curation and dissemination of evidence, innovations, and operational solutions; broker knowledge and lessons learned across the program cycle; promote rigorous evaluations and analysis; contribute to institutional policy and operational decisions as an Executive Management Committee (EMC) member; serve as Secretary of the Operational Strategy and Policy Guidance Committee (OSC); lead ODE as a high-performing team, managing human, financial, and material resources; represent IFAD in global policy forums; advocate IFAD's policy positions externally; and develop strategic partnerships with member states, development agencies, UN agencies, IFIs, NGOs, and academia.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of substantive relevant experience at an international level in an institution such as multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, UN agencies, or other development finance-related organizations. Demonstrated leadership experience with strategic vision and proven skills in managing a complex organization with diverse staff in multiple locations. Extensive and proven managerial experience, with a focus on people management, in senior-level positions.

Skills

Economic evaluation, Evidence-based policy, IFAD governance & mandate, IFAD partners, Policy dialogue, Analytical skills, Strategy implementation, Change management, Confidentiality & Discretion, Corporate approach, Integrity and ethics, Leadership, Political acumen, Specialized communication skills, Social & Environmental Safeguards, Policy making, Quantitative skills, Operational experience, Results management.

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