Senior Quality Assurance Specialist, Non-Sovereign Operations

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 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's Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) plays a crucial role in ensuring that the projects supported by IFAD achieve maximum impact and serve as learning opportunities for future initiatives. ODE coordinates corporate strategy and measures the relevance of IFAD's business model to ensure effective implementation. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on rural development and poverty alleviation.

Job Overview:
The Senior Quality Assurance Specialist is a highly qualified professional with substantial operational experience in IFAD or similar multilateral development banks or international financial institutions. This position involves providing oversight and quality assurance support for country strategies, program and project design, implementation, and closure, particularly focusing on non-sovereign operations. The incumbent will work closely with a team of Quality Assurance specialists to ensure that lessons learned from the project cycle are systematically captured and reflected in the knowledge management agenda of the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE). The role requires collaboration across departments and divisions to ensure the consistent application of IFAD's operational policies, standards, and procedures, while providing high-quality strategic and technical advice. Continuous awareness of emerging trends and good practices is essential, supported by active outreach and collaboration with international financial institutions and UN counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• NON-SOVEREIGN AND PRIVATE SECTOR OPERATIONS QUALITY ASSURANCE: Provide quality assurance oversight and technical advice throughout the lifecycle of IFAD non-sovereign instruments and private sector interventions, ensuring alignment with IFAD's development effectiveness framework and operational standards. Advise operational teams on intervention logic, evaluability, results measurement, and risk mitigation.
• QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE: Ensure coherent application of operational policies and standards in program and project design, implementation, and completion. Contribute to the development and application of systems for high-quality, risk-based reviews across IFAD's programming cycle.
• PROJECT RISK REVIEW AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT: Ensure compliance with IFAD's risk frameworks in program and project design and implementation. Collaborate with corporate functions on the application of risk approaches.
• KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND LEARNING: Promote the systematic capture and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices from program and project implementation.
• MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: Accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in managing IFAD resources, including people management responsibilities such as recruitment, technical leadership, and staff evaluation.

Required Qualifications:
Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, or Program Evaluation from an accredited institution. Senior expert knowledge of internationally recognized compliance, policy, legal, and public procurement standards during all phases of project structuring, financing, and supervision, particularly in developing countries. Extensive experience in managing and accessing critical linkages between compliance, legal requirements, safeguards, procurement, and business functions. Strong interpersonal skills to lead multi-stakeholder processes and manage upward support from management.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, or Program Evaluation. The degree must be from an accredited institution recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of specialization, with two years in a multicultural organization or national organization providing global support. A minimum of five years of operational experience in managing and supervising rural development projects/programs is required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with a proficiency level of 4 (Excellent). Desirable languages include French, Spanish, and/or Arabic at a proficiency level of 3 (Good).

Additional Notes:
This position is a re-advertisement, and previous applications will not be considered. Candidates who have applied before may re-apply. IFAD staff members are international civil servants and may be assigned to any of the Fund's activities. All new staff members will typically be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. Candidates may be required to take a written test and deliver a presentation as part of the interview process. IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on various factors, including ethnicity, gender, and disability. The organization emphasizes confidentiality and discretion in its operations.