Deputy Director, Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE) - Rome, Italy

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

In line with IFAD's Evaluation Policy (2021), the Independent Office of Evaluation (IOE) reports directly to the IFAD Executive Board (EB). The Evaluation Policy established that the evaluation function at IFAD will operate in line with internationally accepted principles for the evaluation of development assistance. The IFAD Evaluation Policy also states that the IOE Director will ensure that IOE is staffed by independent-minded, experienced evaluators.

Under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the IOE Director, the Deputy Director is the closest and principal support to the Director of IOE in managing the Office. Under the supervision of the Director, the Deputy will assist the IOE Director in promoting accountability and learning in IFAD, thus contributing to the improvement of the performance of the IFAD's operations and policies. 

Specifically, the Deputy Director will assist the IOE Director in managing IOE as an effective, efficient and independent evaluation function of IFAD;  the incumbent will develop operational policies, strategies and related instruments to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the independent evaluation function; the incumbent will ensure high-quality professional work by instituting the necessary enabling environment for and coaching of IOE staff, and setting quality standards for IOE outputs; the incumbent will oversee the quality control of IOE evaluation deliverables and publications; assist in the communication of evaluation results to partners and the general public;  ensure that evaluation knowledge and lessons are fed in a timely manner into key IFAD processes for the formulation of policies, strategies and operations; Promote dialogue and exchanges with the management, senior IFAD officials and Executive Board members on evaluation issues of critical importance to IFAD; Assist IFAD's operations and partner countries in their evaluation capacity development; and Represent IFAD in the United Nations Evaluation Group and the Evaluation Co-operation Group of the multilateral development banks. The IOE Director will also be responsible for leading specific evaluations.

The Deputy Director, IOE, will assist the IOE Director in managing IOE as an effective, efficient and independent evaluation function of IFAD. The major functional activities will be the following:

• develop operational policies, methodologies and related instruments to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the independent evaluation function;
• ensure high-quality professional work by instituting the necessary enabling environment for and coaching of IOE staff, and setting quality standards for IOE outputs;
• oversee the quality control of IOE evaluation deliverables and publications;
• conduct corporate level evaluations, thematic evaluations, country strategy and programme evaluations or any other type evaluation assigned by the Director IOE, to assess the results of IFAD-wide corporate policies, strategies, business processes and organizational aspects.  This will require leading evaluation team, preparing the evaluation methodology, leading the writing of evaluation reports and presenting the report to the key stakeholders;
• assist the Director, IOE, in the communication of evaluation results to partners and the general public;  ensure that evaluation knowledge and lessons are fed in a timely manner into key IFAD processes for the formulation of policies, strategies and operations;
• promote dialogue and exchanges with IFAD management, senior IFAD officials and Executive Board members on evaluation issues of critical importance to IFAD;
• assist IFAD's operations and partner countries in their evaluation capacity development;
• represent IFAD IOE in international evaluation fora and networks, including in the United Nations Evaluation Group and the Evaluation Co-operation Group of the multilateral development banks.

MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES: The Deputy Director will be accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IOE resources (human, financial and material). This includes:

1. People management through workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, learning and career management of Professional  and General Service staff;
2. Identifying best qualified candidates for vacancies, with appropriate regard for gender balance and geographic distribution;
3. Motivating, coaching and supporting staff of the division to create cohesive teams that work effectively to achieve common divisional goals and objectives;
4. Managing staff performance and development through regular performance feedback, mentoring and career planning.
5. IOE budget management ensuring accountability and fiduciary integrity in IOE budget execution;
6. Material resources management through accountability for the material resources assigned to the IOE;
7. Knowledge and content management to achieve innovative outcomes and cost-effective processes as well as to promote the generation, validation and dissemination of knowledge by ensuring (a) knowledge content is continuously updated and available, (b) best practices are continuously identified, documented and distributed, and (c) appropriate and up-to-date information and tools are available as appropriate;
8. Information Technology management through leveraging ERP functionality for improved business results, reporting processes and client services.

The Deputy Director's impact extends beyond the successful achievement of IOE goals and objectives to include larger goals and objectives in strategic planning collaboration. The expected results directly and/or indirectly benefit the ultimate stakeholders, the rural poor in developing countries.
The key performance indicators for the Deputy Director include leadership in viable strategic planning, authoritative and relevant policy development and advice, sustainable programme decisions and integrity and accountability in the planning and management of IOE's human, financial and material resources assigned to the division.

Internally, the Deputy Director provides authoritative advice to the Director, IOE, on the office's vision, strategic planning, policy, and divisional programme and operational management. The incumbent is accountable for collaboration and coordination within the Office to ensure appropriate consultation, cross-functional synergy and coordination of programme planning and activities. 
Externally, the Deputy Director develops strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships with IFAD and external counterparts spanning a broad range of institutions including borrowers, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, UN agencies, funds and programmes, IFIs, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions for the purpose of programme co-operation, knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and/or resource mobilization. The incumbent is also accountable for the provision of authoritative advice during Executive Board sessions, Evaluation Committee meetings, the annual Governing Council and related subordinate bodies including the audit and evaluation committees.

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability
• Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively

Education:

• Level - Advanced* university degree from an accredited institution in rural development, economics, agricultural economics, development policy, evaluation, or related disciplines.
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php

(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in the IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.

Experience:

• At least twelve (12) years progressively relevant, responsible professional experience in the evaluation and management of rural development programmes including project design, development, implementation and  evaluation. A  significant part of the experience must be in evaluation team leadership position;
• Strong command of methodologies and techniques that can be applied to evaluations;
• Strong knowledge evaluation processes and international evaluation standards and practices;
• Demonstrated experience in evaluation process leadership, including report writing and interaction with senior stakeholders (e.g., government officials, organization managers);
• Experience with International financial institutions, United Nations Specialized Agencies, Programmes or Funds, and development cooperation agencies would be an advantage;
• Experience in leading, supervising and managing professional teams of people with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, preferably in international organisations, is required. 

Languages:

• Required English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good) 

Skills:

• Authoritative knowledge of evaluation policies and institutional issues, notably issues related to evaluation office independence, as well as of evaluation strategies, methodologies and processes;
• Field experience related to agricultural and rural development including in monitoring and evaluation systems and impact evaluations;
• Recognized management skills in a multicultural setting, combined with ability to achieve results through motivating people and influencing partners;
• Results-oriented decision-making ability with an aptitude to address operational challenges and for developing practical solutions;
• Innovator with risk management ability and a proven track record as a successful agent of change;
• Rigorous analytical and conceptual thinking;
• High sense of integrity, trust and confidence;
• Champion of IFAD's values: respect for the individual, integrity, professionalism and focus on results;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to set out a coherent analysis in presentations;
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with clients and counterparts at the appropriate levels;
• Ability to represent IFAD in international fora.
   

Applicants should note that IOE staff members are subject to the IFAD staff rules, policies and procedures.  The  Director, IOE has delegated authority to make personnel and operational decisions concerning IOE staff and consultants in accordance with the provisions contained in the IFAD Evaluation Policy (2021) as well as other applicable IFAD rules, Human Resource policies and procedures.

In accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD's remuneration package, please visit IFAD's compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.  See here.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful. Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.

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