The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) is an expert in their thematic specialization. The incumbent provides technical expertise and strategic guidance at the corporate level and all stages of design, development, monitoring and evaluation of IFAD’s private sector investments.

Under the supervision of the Head, Private Sector Advisory and Implementation Unit (PAI), the incumbent has a gloal technical role in private investment covering IFAD’s 5 regional divisions. The incumbent works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists in SKD, Country Directors and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of private sector operation and activities.

The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) contributes to  a.) the delivery of IFAD’s private sector investment activities (Non Sovereign private sector Operations-NSOs) and any new relevant initiatives emanating from the PSS into IFAD’s operations at both HQ and hub-levels; b.) the delivery of complex investment and financial structures; c.) acts as professional technical expert; d.) PAI unit work plan and all activities related with global engagement and partnerships related to PAI’s work stream. The incumbent works collaboratively with other staff in the PAI Unit and with other experts in the PMI Division and in the rest of IFAD. When required, represents IFAD externally and develops and manages relationships with clients, donors, institutional and private investors, government, media, and other stakeholders.
 

1. SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVICE IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT: The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) will work closely with country directors, technical specialists and Hub directors on the origination, screening, structuring and delivery of IFAD Non-Sovereign private sector operations (NSOs) deployed through the Private Sector Trust Fund which could entail both direct funding and indirect through financial intermediaries. Main accountabilities include:

• Work with the Programme Management Department to develop a pipeline of potential NSO investments (including both regular and blended finance operations), notably NSOs promoting job creation, women economic empowerment and those supporting mitigation and adaptation efforts to climate change.
• Screen potential NSOs both in terms of development impact and financial soundness, structure and lead the drafting of investment proposals and support PAI Head throughout the internal review process to seek Board Approval; ensure post approval management and supervision.
• Engage with various key divisions at IFAD to ensure efficient and effective review, development and implementation of the NSOs;
• Provide senior level support to  the PAI Head, country directors and Hub directors in building relationships with private sector partners in close coordination with;
• Lead field and due diligence missions at all stages of the project cycle, including during design, due diligence, implementation and monitoring and undertaking implementation support missions, including supervision of NSOs.

2. SUPPORT THE DELIVERY AND REPORTING OF PAI UNIT WORK PROGRAM

• Assist PAI head in the delivery of the PAI Unit work plan; to build synergies and capacity to ensure close coordination and collaboration among the various teams;
• Assist PAI head to respond in an adaptive manner to the evolving priorities and opportunities around and within IFAD and the various initiative external partners;
• Provide senior-level Support to the PAI Head in the delivery of the PAI Special Initiatives

3. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation on Private Sector investments and establish new knowledge and partnerships.
Accountabilities include:

• Provide senior-level support  to the development of reelvant policies and procedures, guidelines, monitoring tools, etc.
• Provide senior-level support  to the development and delivery of training modules focused on developing high performing high impact PS programs;
• Participate in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and develop appropriate technical and operations on private sector.
• Perform other activities necessary to implement IFADs private sector engagement strategy.
• Develop lessons learnt on NSOs.
• Oversee sepcial initiatives and programs hosted by PAI.

4. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION:  The Senior Global Technical Specialist helps mobilize resources and build relevant partnerships. Accountabilities may include:

• Developing partnerships and outreach activities as well as new relationships with DFIs, impact investors, foundations and corporate partners to expand resources, market and income opportunities for smallholders;
• Ensure IFAD’s representation and communication in technical issues (including representing IFAD at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conferences fora); and
• Mobilising new resources for IFAD, PSFP and co-financing for NSOs in collaboration with the GPR, through partnerships and outreach activities.

5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING: The Senior Global Technical Specialist contributes to managing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of NSOs. Accountabilities may include:

• Developing and monitoring results framework for NSOs ;
• Implementing performance monitoring systems and new approaches to performance and NSOs portfolio monitoring; and
• Preparing analytical findings and reports for divisional and country-level decision making on project viability and sustainability.

6. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Senior Global Technical Specialist is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, as applicable, staff supervised. The incumbent may also be asked to supervise work of external consultants and more junior staff.

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to private sector investments, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts.

The work involves both technical analysis and provision of inputs to projects, programs and initiatives, 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 requiring speciliazed technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) at the country or regional levels, the incumbent work will be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the private sector.

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise and input for programs, projects and initiatives related to private sector investments, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts.

The work involves both technical analysis and provision of inputs to projects, programs and initiatives, 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 requiring speciliazed technical analysis and reporting. Typically operating as a Senior Global Technical Specialist (Private Sector Investment) at the country or regional levels, the incumbent work will be reviewed for technical accuracy, but more typically is reviewed for achieving the established work plan.

Assignments require the provision of authoritative technical expertise in the private sector.

Organizational Competencies – Level 2

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

Education: 

• Level – Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php in a job related field (*)
• Areas – finance, financial engineering, economics, accounting, business management, or related field.

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

Work experience: 

• At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in investment/corporate banking, project finance, project and/or program development, hands-on advisory and/or consulting functions in emerging markets, entailing structuring and supervising private sector investments and complex facilities including the use of equity, debt and risk mitigation measures (guarantees, risk sharing, etc.)
• Ability to work in autonomous manner and to write recommendations in a succinct and clear manner.
• Ability to represent IFAD externally and to develop and manage relationships with clients, donors, institutional and private investors.
• Prior experience in International Financial Institutions (IFIs) or development institutions in the area of private sector operations and initiatives is required.
• Experience in blended finance and climate finance operations is a strong asset.

Languages: 

• Required English (4 – Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish and/or Arabic (3 – Good)
• Position-specific requirement: Fluency in one of the desirable languages is considered a strong asset

Skills: 
Job role specific:

• Synthesis, outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Written communication, clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role ; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)
• Verbal communication, clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Interpersonal skills, ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Corporate approach, ability to bring in corporate vision and priorities into one’s area of work (e.g. budgeting going beyond simple budgetary considerations, taking into account strategic priorities)
• Problem solving, strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• Project/Programme management (incl. coordination, design, development), Know-how in Project design and evaluation

Position specific: 

• Sound financial, credit, and analytical skills (including reviewing and advising the development of financial models), sound business judgment, and ability to assess project bankability.
• Excellent skills in the design and structuring of private sector transactions and complex facilities and interventions using regular and blended finance, conducting due diligence, and recommending financial/investment decisions accordingly;
• Proven expertise in deploying financial instruments such as lines of credit, guarantees/risk sharing facilities, equity, and other instruments; particular experience with risk sharing and guarantee facilities or climate finance is a strong asset;
• Demonstrated experience conducting and distilling market-oriented research, creating and refining excel based financial models, and applying a creative approach to problem solving in a project design/implementation context
• Proven expertise in negotiating deals and business operational partnerships with other partners and co-financiers;
• Ability to engage directly and independently with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Strong results-oriented decision-making with the ability to translate business strategies and needs into practical solutions.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with the ability to develop a close and effective working relationship with client and counterparts at the appropriate levels, demonstrated by a track record of developing and sustaining effective relationships with clients and stakeholders Private Sector Investment
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent business development and client relationship skills, ability to understand and respond to client needs effectively.

Please note that the Co-Terminus position (1) will be based in Rome and the Fixed-Term position (1) might be subject to re-location. 

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, the President 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.

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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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.