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Technical Specialist (Social Inclusion - Youth Employment)

FIELD BASED

  • Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • Location: FIELD BASED
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Youth
    • Social Affairs
    • Poverty Reduction
    • Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
    • Labour Market Policy
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy Announcement Number 2032
Date of Issue 16/02/2021
Deadline for Applications 18/03/2021
Organizational Unit Envir. Climate Gender & Incl.
Level P-3
Duty Station Field Based
Duration of Assignment 2 Years

Organizational context

Duty station will be the regional IFAD office in West and Central Africa. The location of the regional office (such as Abidjan and Dakar) will be confirmed soon.

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.


Post's organizational accountability

The Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD's strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD’s operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness, by generating and disseminating IFAD’s development knowledge and evidence on strategic themes, and encouraging innovative application of cutting-edge global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments to support countries tackles their most complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. SKD is composed of the (i) Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG); the (ii) Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI); and the (iii) Research and Impact Assessment Division (RIA).

ECG takes the lead in mainstreaming themes of environment and climate, nutrition, gender, youth, and indigenous peoples and all related aspects of social inclusion into IFAD's portfolio, to strengthen the quality of IFAD’s operations and achieve improved impacts in these areas in an integrated manner for enhanced results. ECG contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes, and facilitates their use in IFAD projects. In addition, it jointly works with field implementation partners to technical inputs to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women, indigenous peoples and rural youth into IFAD operations.

The youth team in ECG’s  Social Inclusion Cluster spearheads IFAD's implementation of its Rural Youth Action Plan (RYAP). In addition to working jointly with other teams in ECG, other divisions within SKD and the Programme Management Department, it designs and implements global and regional technical grants which bring additional value and innovation to IFAD field operations.

The Technical Specialist is an expert and knowledge builder in her/his thematic specialization. S/He provides technical expertise and guidance at the corporate level and all stages of programme design, development, monitoring and evaluation. Work at this level is characterized by non-supervisory technical expertise in field of specialization at the country and regional levels. S/He collaborates with other Specialists to ensure the collection and dissemination of emerging developments in the area of youth employment. Knowledge management at this level directly impacts on technical quality enhancement of IFAD’s programmes and partnership development for job creation for young men and women. While this position will be based in the field the scope of technical expert will provide technical inputs to all regional divisions where IFAD operates. The accountabilities/key results expected are:

•           Technical Inputs

•           Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

•           Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization

•           Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

•           Managerial Functions

The Technical Specialist reports to the Lead Technical Specialist (Youth) with overall strategic, policy and management guidance, and supervision of the division Director. S/He works jointly with respective ECG technical specialists (both Environment/Climate, gender, indigenous people and nutrition), Production Markets and Institutions Division thematic Technical Specialists, and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical expertise and provision of inputs into programme development  facilitating knowledge flows and building of communities of practices.


Key results expected / Major functional activities

1. Technical Inputs

The Technical Specialist (Youth Employment and Social Inclusion) will be part of the team responsible for the day to day implementation of the RYAP. Specifically, she/he will focus on the following areas:

  • Advance thematic work on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and employment analysis in IFAD supported field operations.
  • Advance the youth employment, social inclusion and nutrition agenda with IFAD supported country programmes and promote linkages with other relevant players such as key government departments, private sector actors, non-governmental and international organizations to generate and share learning about what works, and ensure that the shared knowledge contributes to increased youth employment opportunities
  • Contribute to action-based learning which leads to positive youth engagement, social inclusion and best practices in nutrition awareness in IFAD supported field operations
  • Ensure technical quality in implementation of IFAD supported country programmes so that IFAD and its development partners are regarded as trusted and valued partners in promotion of rural youth employment, social inclusion and good nutrition.
  • Ensure IFAD supported projects’ monitoring and evaluation systems prepare good quality reports on progress of implementation relative to youth employment, social inclusion and nutrition.

Accountabilities may include:

  • Generating and providing technical inputs into design, implementation, supervision and evaluation of IFAD supported projects in partner countries
  • Carrying out analyses of the links between unemployment and rural youth issues, and propose operational solutions to tackle the root causes of the youth unemployment challenge.
  • Closely work with gender and poverty targeting, nutrition, indigenous people and environment and climate change colleagues to provide guidance on the integration of these themes in enhancing job creation for youth
  • Carry out analyses of employment problems in specific segments and activities of the agribusiness labour market, in rural areas and seek solutions for youth engagement in the agribusiness labour markets.
  • Conduct research on youth employment and youth entrepreneurship issues and contribute in multi-disciplinary technical teamwork.
  • Carry out other technical tasks as required by the Lead Technical Specialist (Youth) or the director of the division.

2. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

The Technical Specialist (Youth Employment and Social Inclusion) enhances the development of viable and sustainable project delivery mechanisms at the country-level through application of technical knowledge sharing for his/her area of specialization. S/He facilitates innovation, strengthens technical capacity of implementation partners, and generates new knowledge and partnerships. S/he captures and uses more systematically IFAD’s field experience and good practice findings to promote cross-regional learning. Accountabilities may include:

  • Collect good quality data, document and report good practices;
  • Develop and disseminate knowledge products, operational tools and guidelines;
  • Assist in impact assessments of selected projects;
  • Facilitate and provide technical knowledge products on youth employment and social inclusion to support national partners, and project service providers.

3. Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization

The Technical Specialist develops and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at the country and regional levels, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in youth employment. Accountabilities may include:

  • Build partnerships with complementary technical organizations, UN, NGOs, the private sector and specialized departments of other bilateral and multilateral development agencies as potential operational and strategic partners at global, regional and country levels.
  • Strengthen IFAD’s representation and communication in policy and technical dialogue/processes and strategy issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars, conferences etc.).
  • Support mobilisation of additional new resources for IFAD, through concept notes writing, partnerships and outreach activities.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

The Technical Specialist works closely with ECG’s Knowledge Officer and other Technical Specialists in support to the Director in knowledge management and other monitoring and reporting activities to enhance country level programme and funding decisions.

5. Managerial Functions

The Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes people Management through coaching and mentoring of new and/or more junior staff, supervision and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under his/her purview.


Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

Assignments require the provision of technical expertise in the field of specialization. The impact of work by the incumbent directly affects the overall delivery of the integrated youth agribusiness initiative and contributes to country programming work, regional and corporate policy and strategy.  The work is intricate in that it requires consideration of a wide range of technical factors and related data. National policies relevant for the economic policy concerns of the international organization. Technical Specialists also monitor and guide the work of external consultants and participate as experts in field missions and in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert group meetings of a technical nature.

Technical Specialists exercise independence and initiative in assessing needs and advising governments when on field mission. Decisions are made on the research or analytical strategies to be followed in resolving problems of concern in the technical area. Established methods and procedures are adapted as necessary in order to achieve desired results.  


Representation / Work relationships

The work relationships of the Technical Specialists involve the provision of technical inputs and the negotiation and resolution of problems that arise in mission planning, technical project design and implementation and in the preparation of studies and reports. S/He serves as an expert in his/her field of specialization and works with full technical independence in the provision of technical expertise and methodological guidance at the country level, as well as regionally as required. Contacts are with counterparts within other United Nations organizations having related programmes and with officials of governments, non-governmental and international organizations, research institutes, private sector and academia.

In servicing intergovernmental bodies, expert groups and other meetings, the Technical Specialist provides technical expertise and recommendations for policy formulation and official conclusions in a consultative and advisory capacity; s/he may also provide information regarding the organization's policies, and act as the representative of the organization. Contacts are maintained to identify and evaluate emerging developments.


Competencies

Organizational

  • Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
  • Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change (Level 1)
  • Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates (Level 1)
  • Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients (Level 1)
  • Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision-making ability (Level 1)
  • Managing time, resources, and information: Manages own time, information, and resources effectively (Level 1)
  • Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team (Level 1)
  • Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others (Level 1)
  • Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships (Level 1)
  • Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively (Level 1)


Technical/Functional

  • Strong knowledge of the issues around youth empowerment, social inclusion and related challenges in developing countries, including inclusion approaches, heterogeneity of rural people, skills development,  access to productive assets,  job creation, labour market trends, private sector related constraints in job creation for youth.
  • Ability to synthesize strategies and approaches for design of country strategies and projects and support technical review and supervision of project implementation.
  • Experience in youth entrepreneurship and business development and ability to build partnerships with a broad range of partners and deliver results required by client governments.
  • Strong analytical skills in order to identify systemic issues, both programmatic and operational and develop viable solutions.
  • Analytical skills are also essential for identifying opportunities to promote new strategies and initiatives with regional divisions, partner agencies and national government partnerships.
  • Communicate effectively with different counterparts (civil society, governments, multilaterals, private sector actors, local communities, and project staff).
  • Listens effectively to engage others.
  • Writes well, clearly, succinctly and convincingly in English.
  • Computer skills: thorough knowledge of PeopleSoft ERP as well as full command of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and common internet application.
  • Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands/ priorities under tight deadlines and coordinate the work of others

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in in the field of specialization, e.g. Agriculture & Agribusiness, Rural Development, Economics, Social sciences, Political science  or related relevant area. An advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four additional years of relevant professional experience, over and above the minimum number of years of experience.

Experience:

At least 5 years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization of which at least 2 of the 5 years of experience should be   at the international level. Experience in international, regional and national policy frameworks related to business development and/or agribusiness is an asset.
Experience in the field of IFAD’s other social inclusion themes (gender, nutrition and indigenous peoples) is an asset.


Language requirements:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.


Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, staff members are subject to the authority of the President who can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.  

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.

 


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