Associate Vice-President, External Relations and Governance Department

Organizational context

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 Associate Vice President (AVP) position, External Relations and Governance has overall responsibility within IFAD for partnerships, global engagement processes, resource mobilization at global level, corporate visibility, and oversight of communications and governance functions. The Director of IFAD's Communications Division (COM), the Director, Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) and the Secretary of IFAD (SEC Division) who runs the Governance of IFAD will all be direct reports into the AVP, External Relations and Governance.

Reporting directly into the President of IFAD, the AVP, External Relations and Governance will be responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and leading the activities of the department. The AVP will be responsible for three Divisions (the Communications Division (COM), the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR) and the Office  of  the  Secretary  (SEC  Division)  and  will  work  collaboratively  and  collegiately  across  IFAD  to  achieve outcomes and results in line with IFAD's Strategic Plan.

As a member of the senior management team of IFAD, the AVP is expected to contribute to corporate and operational policy discussions and decisions of the Executive Management Committee (EMC), chaired by the President of IFAD and the Operations Management Committee (OMC), chaired by the Vice President.

Key results expected / Major functional activities

Under the direct supervision of the President of IFAD, the AVP, External Relations and Governance:

• Participate and contribute to IFAD's Executive Management Committee, helping to identify and implement strategic directions for the organization as a whole;
• Interact extensively with IFAD's Governing Council to leverage their expertise and networks to accomplish the organizations goals.
• Coordinate and update organization-wide partnership strategy development, maintains, tracks and advises on key organizational partnerships, including in relation to: the wider UN system; - the EU, the World Bank and relevant multilateral and international organizations; Strategic partnerships with emerging economies; other groups including civil society, the private sector, foundations and think tanks; and develops new, innovative partnerships.
• Act for the Vice President and President of IFAD when requested, including representing IFAD in the media.
• Manage and coordinate IFAD engagement in other inter-agency affairs and fora, representation at interagency meetings and UN inter-governmental fora;
• Oversees the development and implementation of the annual programme and budget of the Department in the context of IFAD’s Strategic Framework and IFAD Replenishment Commitments.Perform other related duties as required by the President.

The AVP, External Relations and Governance, will be responsible for the following Divisions: (the Communications Division (COM), the Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR), and the Office of the Secretary (SEC Division).

Communications Function

• Supporting and working closely with the Director of IFAD's Communications Division (COM) to oversee the overall:
• building of awareness and knowledge internationally about rural poverty and advocating for policies and resources to eliminate rural poverty;
• strengthening of IFAD's 'brand' by building IFAD's international reputation as an effective partner in addressing rural poverty;
• strengthening of IFAD's internal communications to ensure a strong connection between headquarters and the field to deepen the sense of ownership of IFAD's agenda as well as
• in the offering of communications training and guide to the handling of risks and crises.

Governance Function

• Supporting and working closely with the Secretary of IFAD's (SEC Division) to oversee the overall governance of IFAD by:
• Establishing, building and effectively maintain relations with IFAD's Member States and its Representatives to the governing bodies;
• Providing strategic leadership, innovation and management to the governance of IFAD in relation to policy development, program management and management of resources;
• Working successfully internally across the governing bodies office, the member states liaison and protocol office and the conference and languages services with a range of specialists.
• Developing appropriate metrics and processes, including independent evaluation processes, to measure and improve board and overall governance performance of IFAD.

Partnership and Resource Mobilization Function

• Supporting and working closely with the Director of IFAD's Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization (GPR)) to oversee the overall:
• Resource mobilization strategy for IFAD in driving successful resource mobilization efforts from government, foundations, corporate, and high-net-worth individual sources to meet the organizational funding requirements.
• Providing a constant high-level strategic leadership on resource flow through the organization by cultivating and managing key relationships with various stakeholders.
• Driving a viable long-term resource mobilization plan that includes a robust risk mitigation strategy;
• Developing, advising on and regularly updating IFAD's corporate resource mobilization strategy and coordinates IFAD's resource mobilization efforts.

Competencies

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Strategic leadership (Level 2)
• Demonstrating Leadership: Leads by example; initiates and supports change (Level 2)
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Challenges, innovates and contributes to a learning culture (Level 2)
• Focusing on clients: Contributes to a client-focused culture (Level 2)
• Problem solving and decision making: Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact (Level 2)
• Managing time, resources and information: Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources (Level 2)
• Team Work: Fosters a cohesive team environment (Level 2)
• Communicating and negotiating: Acquires and uses a wide range of communication styles and skills (Level 2)
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally (Level 2)
• Managing performance and developing staff: Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization (Level 2)

Technical/Functional

Setting Strategy

• Defines ambitious goals and establishes priorities, designing processes and managing projects and resources that align to achieve those goals.
• The inclination to seek and analyse data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy.
• The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.

  Executing for Results

• Experience of relevant partnership building with exposure, at a senior level, to board decision-making.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainly; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
• A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in his/her approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization.

  Leading Teams

• A dynamic functional leader with a passion for external relations, communications, excellent governance and who understands the nexus of politics, resource mobilization, policy, advocacy and public relations.
• Strong and effective people management skills and leadership of a global function with teams across the world.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written with the ability to communicate in a compelling manner with individuals, as well as large groups across cultures.
• A leader who is self-reflective and aware of his/her own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.

Relationships and Influence

• A builder of strong, productive personal and professional relationships and interconnected networks of people and organizations to build positive relationships and maintain a service orientation.
• Naturally connects with builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in his/her beliefs, and active drive.
• Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (or Master's equivalent) in economics, management, business administration, diplomacy, communications, corporate governance, political sciences, international relations, international development, law or in any other relevant area.

Experience

• At least 20 years of professional experience including management experience within an international organization, financial institution, and/or the United Nations system or in Government.

Languages and other skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Working knowledge of another IFAD 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.