Organizational context
This position is only open to nationals of Kenya
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 Environment &Climate Officer position is locatedin IFAD's regional division, for the East and Southern Africa, based in Nairobi. Thefunction will provide services to countries in the region, based on IFAD priorities. In this context the Environment &Climate Officer provides a technical advisory role.
The Environment &Climate Officer is a seasoned professional in a climate and environment activities. S/he has a dual reporting line to the Environment &Climate Division Lead/Senior Technical Specialist and the Country Programme Manager of the assigned country. The Environment &Climate Officer independently analyzes technical and policy problems of concern to IFAD, intergovernmental bodies, and national authorities and provide substantive technical input to the development of policies, technical strategies and proposals. Accountabilities/key results expected are:
• Technical and Country Programme Advice
• Knowledge Management
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization
The Environment &Climate Officer worksunder the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the division Directors (Environment and Climate Division and East and Southern Africa Regional Division), and under the daily supervision of the Environment &Climate Division Lead/Senior Technical Specialist and the Country Programme Manager in Nairobi. S/He may work collaboratively with Technical Specialists, Country Programme Managers and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support.
The incumbent will be responsible for working with one of this regional divisions to support delivery on a number of fronts:
• further integration of environment and climate dimensions across IFAD's projects and policy engagement (including implementation of IFAD's new 10-point plan for climate mainstreaming)
• successful identification and design of environment and climate grant financing from Trust Funds such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF), Special Climate Change Fund Fund (SCCF), and Adaptation Trust Fund or similar Trust Funds
• successful implementation of ASAP, GEF, Adaptation Fund resources, including engagement with
ASAP donors
• resource mobilization from these sources and the Green Climate Fund if possible - to incentivize continued environment and climate mainstreaming
• implementation and oversight of IFAD's Safeguards Policy;
• undertaking of vulnerability assessments to support project design and implementation; and
• supporting knowledge management and communications on environment and climate issues.
The Environment &Climate Officer may be requested to travel to neighboring countries to lend assistance with respect to the following provisions.
Key results expected / Major functional activities
- Technical Advice
On the basis of seasoned technical knowledge and analysis of current thematic conditions, emerging development challenges and the state of rural poverty at the assigned country and regional levels, the Environment &Climate Officer provides sound technical advice to improve IFAD's s capacity to address rural poverty, to support national programmes and to enhance IFAD's reputation as a trusted and valued partner. Accountabilities may include:
a. Providing technical expertise in the Identification, elaboration and assessment, in accordance with existing organization guidelines, technical opportunities, proposals and feasibility studies for development projects and programmes and monitoring their execution;
b. Participating in country programme management teams (CPMTs) and providing technical, analytical inputs to IFAD country strategic opportunity papers (COSOPs), project designs as well as to other policy documents related to rural development and poverty reduction; and
c. Participating in project missions and pilots as necessary
- Knowledge Management
The Environment &Climate Officer enhances the development of viable and sustainable policy and project development at the country-level and supports regional thematic input through seasoned technical knowledge sharing for his/her area of specialization. S/He will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen national technical capacity and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. Accountabilities may include:
a. Sharing knowledge and experiences generated through activities such as analytical studies and regional grants with colleagues in the country programme as well as the division;
b. Conducting relevant knowledge development and dissemination with institutions outside of IFAD within the region concerned and national Institutions, disseminating knowledge and lessons learned with peers, counterparts and stakeholders through drafting of Occasional Papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media (e.g. web resource platforms and social media) and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field; and
c. Participating in IFAD or GEF-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operation approaches of relevance to the country/divisional strategies and programmes.
- Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization
Environment &Climate Officer establishes and maintains a network of peer contacts inside and outside IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities to support joint advocacy and for knowledge sharing to enhance the Fund's profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. Accountabilities may include:
a. Building partnerships with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as potential operational and strategic partners;
b. Strengthening IFAD's representation and communication in technical issues (including representing
IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences fora); and c. Mobilising new resources for IFAD through partnerships and outreach activities.
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
The Environment &Climate Officer contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of technical activities and components of programs/projects in order to enhance country level programme and funding decisions based on accurate technical data. Accountabilities may include:
a. Developing monitoring and evaluation criteria for technical components of programmes and projects; b. Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance monitoring; and c. Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project
viability and sustainability.
- Managerial Functions:
The Environment &Climate Officer is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD
resources. This includes:
a. People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under his/her purview.
b. Resource Management by providing technical expertise for programme development, and Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring that (1) knowledge content within specialty/thematic area is continuously updated and available through the intranet, that (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and made available to clients and peers through the inter-/intra-net and that
(3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available.
Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators
Assignments require the provision of seasoned technical expertise and input for the full programme/project cycle as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include substantive inputs to project methodology and design of projects, knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergy and monitoring and evaluation to measure and report on lessons learned and best practices. The work is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as an Environment &Climate Officer in an IFAD regional or sub- regional hub, the Environment &Climate Officer's work may be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.
Representation / Work relationships
The work relationships of Environment &Climate Officers are primarily for the exchange of information regarding development projects. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information on national and sub- regional; conditions and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.
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
• Technical environment and climate expertise in the design and coordination of technical research and identification of solutions to evolving issues.
• Ability to share technical guidance/knowledge at the peer level.
• Ability to develop new approaches, techniques or policies in relation to client needs.
• Ability to develop new methodologies and techniques in the field of monitoring and knowledge management related to climate change and natural resource management
• Clear understanding of IFAD business and market sector; appreciation of strategic implications thereof.
• Ability to plan, lead, integrate and coordinate the work of a mid-sized team.
• Ability to interpret data, present rational conclusions and defend recommended actions.
• Produces well-structured, factually and analytically accurate reports.
• Prepares presentations for board-level delivery.
• Captures experience and knowledge from assignment for wider dissemination.
• Effectively applies project management tools and techniques.
• Experience in GIS, mapping or vulnerability assessments
• Experience in monitoring an evaluation of projects and programs
• Interdisciplinary approach to work –expert in given field, as well as able to collaborate across disciplines with experts in other areas, and to apply knowledge in areas of expertise other than their own.
• Ability to work well with multi –cultural teams.
• Politically sensitive.
• Ability to set out a coherent argument in writing, presentations and group interactions.
• Good working knowledge of Windows-based computing, and electronic communication.
Minimum recruitment qualifications
Education:
• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in the field of specialization, e.g. environmental studies, agronomy, environmental economics, geography, climatology or rural development. 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 rural development and climate and/or environment issues preferably in the region.
• In-depth technical expertise, demonstrated by substantive work experience, and solid understanding of climate change issues and climate-related impacts on rural development, ideally acquired by working on climate change-related, rural development, or disaster risk reduction projects.
• Proven experience in negotiation, decision-making and also leading some complex project design and implementation/supervision issues
• Access to a network of technical and professional resources and expertise which can be brought to bear to improve ASAP and GEF programming.
Language requirements:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and the prominent regional language where the incumbent is assigned.
Other information
Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within 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.
Note: This position is open to nationals of Kenya
