Technical Specialist - Environment and Climate

Job Posting Organization:
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency established to eradicate rural poverty and hunger. IFAD focuses on investing in rural people, 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 improve the livelihoods of rural populations in developing countries. The Office of Technical Delivery, which includes the Environment, Climate, and People Division (ECP) and the Production, Markets and Infrastructure Division (PMI), is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to ensure high-quality investments that facilitate rural transformation. The ECP division specifically leads the integration of cross-cutting themes such as environment, climate, gender, youth, disability, and indigenous peoples into IFAD's operations, ensuring that projects are environmentally sustainable and inclusive of marginalized groups.

Job Overview:
The Technical Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of IFAD and supplementary funded projects, particularly within the environment and climate portfolio. This position involves providing technical input and coordination support to ensure consistency with relevant policies and operational procedures. The incumbent will work closely with regional and country teams throughout the project cycle, contributing to technical design, implementation, and reporting. The focus of this role is on operational delivery and project support, while also ensuring alignment with IFAD's requirements and processes related to climate and environment funds. The position is based in the Rome Multi-country Office and reports primarily to the Regional Technical Manager - Environment and Climate ECP/NEN based in Cairo.

Duties and Responsibilities:
I. Technical support to project design and implementation (approximately 40% of the role): The Technical Specialist will provide specialized technical advice and contribute to the incorporation of relevant technical inputs in project design, development, implementation, and monitoring. This includes supporting NEN country teams at all stages of the project cycle, participating in Project Delivery Teams (PDTs), and ensuring compliance with SECAP guidelines. The incumbent will also document operational lessons and best practices from implementation support missions.

II. Climate and Environment Funds Pipeline Development (approximately 40% of the role): The Technical Specialist will assist in developing a portfolio of projects funded by climate and environment funds. This includes supporting the development of proposals for various funding mechanisms, liaising with country-level focal points, and facilitating compliance with donor requirements.

III. Contributions to ECP and NEN knowledge management (approximately 15% of the role): The incumbent will contribute to divisional knowledge management activities, including preparing reports, providing technical inputs for country strategy processes, and supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation criteria for projects.

IV. Contingency assistance (approximately 5% of the role): The Technical Specialist may be assigned additional technical and program support responsibilities as needed by the supervisor or relevant director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in environmental studies, natural resources management, or related fields from an accredited institution. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in rural development, environmental, or agricultural projects is required. Candidates should possess good knowledge of natural resource management and climate change impacts on rural development. Experience with international environment/climate funds and environmental safeguards is an asset. Strong writing and editing skills for technical reports are essential, along with the ability to work independently and under pressure.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in environmental studies, natural resources management, or chemical/bio/civil/industrial engineering or related areas. The degree must be from an accredited institution recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of post-qualification relevant professional experience in the formulation, monitoring, management, supervision, or evaluation of rural development or environmental projects. Candidates with three or more years of professional field experience in the region will be considered an asset. Previous experience with international environment/climate funds and designing environmental safeguards is also advantageous.

Languages:
Full command of English and French is required, including the ability to articulate coherent arguments in both languages during presentations and group interactions. Proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable, as it would enhance communication with stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This is a short-term contract opportunity with a duration of 11 months, expected to start shortly after selection. The position is classified as a short-term professional (TPO) for external candidates. IFAD staff members are international civil servants and may be reassigned to different locations as per organizational needs. The appointment carries no expectation of continuous employment or conversion to a permanent position. Applicants should be aware that IFAD does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and that official communication will come from emails ending in @ifad.org.