Senior Regional Technical Specialist (Natural Resource Management & Infrastructure)

Organizational Context

IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger by investing in rural people. The Office of Technical Delivery provides expert technical guidance for project design and implementation, ensuring high technical quality investments and adherence to IFAD's mandate and policies. The Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) focuses on improved delivery of IFAD's mandate through quality design and implementation of policies, country strategies, and projects, covering themes like agronomy, markets, rural institutions, and natural resources management.

Job Purpose

To serve as IFAD's regional technical expert in natural resources management and infrastructure, providing state-of-the-art global technical advice throughout the project cycle to support country/regional programs, primarily in West and Central Africa. The role contributes to the corporate agenda, knowledge building, and policy setting, ensuring the quality and consistency of technical advice and program development support.

Responsibilities

Provide technically authoritative advice on natural resource management (NRM), land tenure, agroecology, and rural infrastructure; enhance knowledge development and advisory services by sharing technical knowledge and establishing partnerships; build and maintain strategic partnerships with centers of excellence and development institutions; support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; provide technical leadership and capacity development; broker integration of global best-practices into country programs; ensure consistent application of corporate quality standards; support the development of technical policies and strategies; represent IFAD in regional policy forums.

Work Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in NRM and Infrastructure development, including formulation of technical guidance on NRM, Land Tenure, Agroecology, and Rural Infrastructure. Experience in development programs and investment projects promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development, value chains, market creation, and managing regional/global capacity building grants. At least five (5) years of relevant experience in a multi-cultural inter-governmental organization. Highly specialized experience in NRM and Infrastructure is requested. Experience in international policy frameworks related to global agricultural, food security, and rural development issues is an asset, as is familiarity with IFIs safeguards.

Skills

Technical expertise in sustainable natural resources management (rangeland, cropland, watershed, agroforestry), customary and formal tenure systems, participatory NR governance, bio-inputs, agroecology, and related rural infrastructure. Knowledge of IFAD's Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP). Skills in advocacy, specialized communication, risk management, stakeholder management, strategy implementation, resource management, adaptability, confidentiality, corporate approach, interpersonal skills, leadership, synthesis, verbal and written communication, evidence-based policy, program/project development and management, social & environmental safeguards, and cross-cutting themes (environment & climate change, gender & social inclusion, nutrition).

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