Senior Portfolio Advisor

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 significant presence in various countries, and is committed to improving the livelihoods of rural populations. The Department for Country Operations (DCO) manages IFAD's investments and non-lending activities, ensuring quality and oversight of the portfolio. DCO is led by an Associate Vice-President and comprises five regional divisions, each focusing on different geographical areas, along with specialized units for private sector operations and cooperation initiatives. The organization emphasizes collaboration with governments, private sectors, and other stakeholders to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Senior Portfolio Advisor plays a critical role in providing authoritative advice on operational matters related to the divisional portfolio. This position is integral to enhancing the efficiency of IFAD-funded operations and contributes to relevant corporate processes. The advisor will support the Office of Development Effectiveness in developing and revising operational policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with these policies by country teams. The role involves monitoring portfolio performance, advising on project management, and coordinating divisional efforts to maintain quality assurance systems. The Senior Portfolio Advisor will also engage in knowledge management and capacity building, sharing best practices and leading training modules to improve results-based management performance. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks in operations and ensuring that lessons learned from ongoing projects inform future designs. The advisor will also coordinate monitoring and reporting processes on regional portfolio management, ensuring timely submission and disclosure of reports, and contribute to the corporate Results Measurement Framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribution to Operational Policy Advice: Support the development and revision of operational policies and procedures, promote compliance among country teams, and coordinate divisional self-assessment work. Provide authoritative advice on project results-based management and assist in planning exercises for country teams.
• Country Programme Advice and Development: Offer demand-based advice on operational requests, monitor portfolio performance, and ensure quality reviews of supervision mission reports. Identify and mitigate risks in operations and provide field support during missions.
• Knowledge Management and Capacity Building: Engage in peer-to-peer interactions, document implementation-related issues, and design training modules to enhance results-based management.
• Results Monitoring and Reporting: Coordinate monitoring and reporting processes, oversee portfolio data analysis, and ensure compliance with IFAD rules and regulations.
• Managerial Functions: Assist the Divisional Director with various tasks, coordinate complex processes, and ensure timely and accurate outputs. Act as a change agent and role model for transformation within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Rural Development, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, or related fields from an accredited institution. The degree must be recognized by the World Higher Education Database. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, project coordination abilities, and risk management expertise. They should also possess excellent interpersonal skills, political acumen, and specialized communication skills to effectively negotiate and advocate for IFAD's vision and strategic priorities.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Rural Development, Finance, Economics, or Public Policy is required. The degree must be from an accredited institution recognized by the World Higher Education Database. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of rural development and the financial mechanisms involved in agricultural projects.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience, including two years in a multicultural, international organization, rural development, financial institution, or government service. Experience in implementing and supervising rural development programs is crucial, along with a demonstrated capacity to understand the political economy and local contexts of fragility and forced displacement situations. Familiarity with fragility and conflict policies, tools, and instruments is also important for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a proficiency level of 4 (Excellent). Knowledge of French and Arabic is highly desirable, also at a proficiency level of 4 (Excellent). These language skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the international development context.

Additional Notes:
This position is a short-term opportunity with a duration of 9 months, expected to start shortly after selection. The contract type for external candidates will be that of a short-term professional (TPO), while IFAD staff members may be assigned as a Temporary Assignment. There is no expectation of continuous employment or conversion to another type of appointment. Applicants must verify and obtain their supervisors' support for release. IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities. The organization does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and official communication will come from emails ending in @ifad.org. Candidates may be required to take a written test and participate in interviews.