Chief, Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency that was established to eradicate rural poverty and hunger. IFAD focuses on investing in rural people by financing programs and projects that enhance agricultural productivity and increase rural incomes. The organization advocates for policies that contribute to rural transformation at local, national, and international levels. IFAD operates globally, with a mission to ensure that rural communities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) within IFAD is responsible for ensuring that the projects supported by IFAD achieve maximum impact and serve as learning opportunities for future initiatives. ODE manages, measures, and facilitates the effectiveness of IFAD operations, integrating research findings and best practices into project design and implementation. The organization is committed to enhancing accountability, operational effectiveness, and strategic resource allocation.

Job Overview:
The Chief of the Quality Assurance and Safeguards Unit (QAS) plays a crucial role in directing and managing the QAS division within IFAD. This position is part of IFAD's senior management team and focuses on ensuring the quality assurance of IFAD operations, including the design and implementation of loans and grants. The Chief is responsible for overseeing quality assurance processes, managing knowledge management activities, building strategic partnerships, and handling the administrative management of the unit. The role requires strategic leadership, innovation, and effective management to ensure that IFAD-supported investments are technically sound, evidence-based, and compliant with social, environmental, and climate safeguards. The Chief will also provide authoritative advice on quality assurance, risk management, and operational standards, ensuring that the unit's services align with corporate priorities and institutional accountability requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the QAS function as IFAD's corporate quality assurance platform for operational strategies, investment operations, grants, and related review processes.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of quality assurance reviews for various operational products, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and quality.
• Manage the QAS team of reviewers and internal support functions, promoting coherent review standards and effective collaboration.
• Oversee secretariat functions hosted or supported by QAS, ensuring clear documentation and timely communication with stakeholders.
• Lead the continuous improvement of quality assurance policies, procedures, guidance, tools, and systems.
• Promote coherence between quality assurance, safeguards, grants management, and operational effectiveness by coordinating with relevant divisions.
• Generate, manage, and disseminate knowledge arising from quality assurance and related review processes.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the quality and effectiveness of QAS services.
• Accountable for the effective management of the Unit's human, financial, and material resources, ensuring alignment with QAS priorities and IFAD's corporate objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a related area of operations within a multicultural organization. Recognized management skills in a multicultural setting are essential, along with the ability to motivate people and influence partners. Proven leadership capacity and the ability to lead interdisciplinary teams are required. Candidates should have knowledge of policy-oriented, program-based pro-poor approaches and experience in loan and grant preparation. Extensive field experience related to agricultural and rural development is necessary, along with senior expertise in program development and management, particularly in rural project management and market development.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a job-related field such as economics, development studies, or a closely related subject is required. The degree must be from an accredited institution listed on the World Higher Education Database (WHED). For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a technically related area of operations, preferably in a multicultural organization. Experience should include recognized management skills and the ability to achieve results through motivating people and influencing partners. Proven leadership capacity and the ability to lead interdisciplinary teams are essential, along with extensive field experience in agricultural and rural development.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is English at an excellent level (4). Desirable languages include French, Spanish, and/or Arabic at a good level (3).

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as an international civil servant role, and all staff members are subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. The role requires geographical mobility, and positions may change locations based on strategic priorities. IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy. The organization does not discriminate based on various factors, including ethnicity, gender, or disability. Candidates may be required to take a written test and deliver a presentation as part of the recruitment process. IFAD staff members are expected to maintain confidentiality and discretion in their assignments.