Global Environment Facility (GEF) Technical Specialist (Co-terminus fixed term) – Rome, Italy

This  is  a two-year  fixed-term  co-terminus  position. A co-terminus fixed-term appointment is an IFAD employment contract externally funded (supplementary funded, funded by trust funds in administration or other), strictly limited in duration to the funding of the position, where appointment and extension is conditional on the availability of resources and limited to the externally funded assignment. A co-terminus appointment shall not exceed the duration of the specific assignment and/or project outlined in the letter of appointment and does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, or conversion, irrespective of the length of service. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract. 

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.

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 tackle 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 integrating cross-cutting themes of environment and climate, nutrition, gender, youth, and indigenous peoples into IFAD’s portfolio, with the aim of strengthening the quality and impact of IFAD’s operations. ECG also contributes to the generation of evidence and knowledge on these themes and facilitates their use in IFAD-funded projects and activities. In addition, ECG provides guidance and support to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women, indigenous peoples and rural youth, into IFAD operations. Addressing environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues are inseparable from IFAD’s mission to overcome poverty.

In line with IFAD’s priority to scale up finance for climate, environment, and biodiversity, ECG also leads the mobilization of climate finance from external sources to complement investments financed through IFAD’s Programme of Loans and Grants and other funds that it manages. In this context, ECG’s Climate and Environmental Funds team leads the mobilization of finance from international Climate and Environmental Funds (CEF), including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and the Adaptation Fund (AF). It also aims to increase the level of finance mobilized through innovative climate finance instruments, including carbon markets, payments for environmental services schemes, green financial products, etc.

The GEF Technical Specialist works under the direct supervision and coordination of the Senior Climate Finance Specialist and GEF/AF Coordinator, ECG, and the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the ECG Director and of the Lead Climate and Environmental Funds Specialist.  

The GEF Technical Specialist is responsible for technically supporting projects and programmes within the assigned GEF pipeline and portfolio. The incumbent supports a team of environment and climate change Technical Specialists and consultants, working at global, regional and national levels involved in the design and implementation of GEF projects to ensure consistency in the application of GEF policy, technical and procedural guidance and requirements. The incumbent works closely and collaboratively with the field based regional and country teams, other thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors and Programme Managers to provide GEF technical advice and provision of programme development and implementation support.

1. SUPPORTING THE MOBILIZATION OF CLIMATE FINANCE AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION (60%)

The GEF Technical Specialist supports IFAD’s efforts to mobilize increased levels of climate finance to be blended with IFAD’s core investments, with a view to concretely support the implementation of countries’ NDCs, NAPs, NBSAPs, etc. Responsibilities include, inter alia:

• Support IFAD’s resource mobilization efforts with GEF by providing strategic thematic advice and guidance on GEF programming priorities and approaches as they relate to IFAD’s comparative advantages, strategic framework, and regional priorities.
• Support the development of concept notes and project proposals, providing technical backstopping throughout the GEF project cycle including implementation and working closely with relevant IFAD staff involved.
• Review the quality of project proposals, providing systematic assessment of proposals vis a vis GEF requirements and suggesting ways of enhancing their quality and support the interdivisional review and the consolidation of comments.
• Support the project design teams in responding to comments from the interdivisional review and GEF Sec, when needed.
• Systematize the quality documentation in preparation for proposal submission (and portal entry as needed) and for reporting requirements of the approved projects along with GEF and IFAD project cycles.
• Provide guidance on key sources of information and tools for project teams when developing GEF projects.
• Collaborate with a wide team across IFAD HQ, regional divisions and country teams to ensure projects are prepared effectively and efficiently within the project preparation phase from concept approval to project proposal submission and are managed efficiently to achieve key milestones throughout the entire project cycle in a timely manner.
• Participate in country missions for formulation and implementation support of GEF projects.
• Support the recruitment of consultants that will be undertaking designs and/or technical reviews of GEF projects as well as interns that will support the work of the GEF team.
• Support the development and implementation of an effective process to manage IFAD’s GEF pipeline.
• Review of GEF Project Idea Notes and Project Preparation Grant Forms, and update those tools as needed.
• Support the development of IFAD GEF Strategic Engagement Papers and any revisions or updates.
• Review GEF policy and strategic documents.
• Ensures quality control at all stages of the GEF project cycle in line with GEF eligibility criteria and alignment with GEF Programming Directions.
• Ensure effective coordination and engagement with relevant IFAD departments and divisions in undertaking the above tasks.
• Provides strategic guidance to the formulation of complex GEF programmes and projects, especially at global level and multi-country.
• Serves as project technical lead and takes part of project design team for selected projects.

2. TECHNICAL AND POLICY ADVICE, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUIDLING (20%)

The GEF Technical Specialist contributes to high quality design and impact of GEF-funded operations. The incumbent ensures effective guidance, tools and processes are in place to enhance the technical quality of GEF programming and to promote continuous generation, dissemination and utilization of lessons learned, good practices and innovations emerging from the design and implementation of GEF projects. 

Responsibilities will include, inter alia:

• Contributes to the development and implementation of effective quality enhancement and review processes that foster high technical quality of projects funded by GEF;
• Contribute to initiatives to strengthen IFAD’s knowledge and capacity to develop and implement GEF projects.
• Promote the exchange, systematization and application of knowledge (best practices and lessons learned) related to GEF within and outside IFAD.
• Prepare and deliver GEF related trainings or capacity building sessions.
• Contribute to the organisation of the project preparation and inception workshops of IFAD-GEF projects, such as for instance by preparing and delivering –jointly with the other divisions involved- the presentation on the specific requirements of GEF projects to IFAD staff in the country, the national counterparts, the Executing Entities and the PMU.
• Provide technical inputs into relevant chapters in IFAD publications (CAR, RIDE, etc.) and GEF related publications (IFAD-GEF Advantage, etc.).

3. CORPORATE ACTIVITIES FOR CLIMATE FINANCE PIPELINE AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT (20%)

Working in close collaboration with SKD, PMD and other relevant divisions/departments, the GEF Technical Specialist contributes to corporate and strategic documents and initiatives as required. The incumbent also provides inputs to corporate events and meetings related to GEF as required:

• Contribute to the strategic programming of IFAD’s GEF work.
• Contribute to the development of the procedures for implementation of GEF projects.
• Provides technical inputs to robust GEF pipeline and portfolio management and the maintenance of programme/project information.
• Provide technical inputs and coordinate potential update(s) on tools related to the review and implementation processes such as the project idea note, and the project preparation grant form.
• Provide technical inputs on the improvements of IFAD systems to handle GEF projects (interface, repository of information, dashboard, M&E).
• Review GEF policy and strategic documents.
• Support management of the funds mobilized by ECG for GEF related activities.
• Monitors and supervises implementation of assigned projects and makes recommendation for improvement.
• Keeps abreast of new developments and requirements in the GEF-managed funds.
• Monitor IFAD GEF project pipeline, tracking key metrics and progress on project development.
• Support project teams in preparing reporting documents such as annual progress reports, and evaluations.
• Participate to calls and meetings on GEF, with GEF, GEF agencies, as well as with countries OFPs when needed. 

The assignment requires the provision of professional expertise and technical leadership at the global, regional and national levels. The GEF Technical Specialist contributes to the expansion of the pipeline and portfolio of GEF projects, blended with IFAD’s investments or in support of, to enhance the impact of the Fund and to increase the flow of climate finance to small-scale producers and rural areas. The incumbent supports the establishment of relevant procedures, systems and enabling conditions in IFAD to handle the growing climate pipeline and portfolio. The incumbent promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices and lessons learned generated during the design and review of projects as well as during their implementation.

The work relationships of the GEF Technical Specialist involves the provision of technical support for policy, programme development, resource mobilization, and the resolution of problems that arise in mission planning, technical project appraisal or the preparation of studies and reports. Information-gathering and exchange in support of studies and thematic assignments may also include identifying reliable sources and establishing guidelines for obtaining information; and to convey methodological approaches and operational experience for implementation of activities undertaken on behalf of the Fund.

Education:

• 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 – rural development, agriculture, economics, rural finance, natural resources, development policy or other job related fields.

(*) 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in designing, reviewing and/or implementing climate and environment projects and programs, including GEF grants, across different thematic investments and regions at international level.
• Experience in sustainable land management, biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation, as key GEF focal areas, as well as in integrated program related to food systems. 
• Experience in working across teams, and providing guidance and technical support on project designs and implementation, and in developing and disseminating guidance and capacity building materials.  
•  Experience with supporting management and coordination of programmes or grants in support to climate and environment. 

Languages:

• English (4 – Excellent)
• Desirable: French or Spanish 

Skills:

• Climate Finance: Finance that aims at reducing emissions, and enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases and aims at reducing vulnerability of, and maintaining and increasing the resilience of, human and ecological systems to negative climate change impacts.
• Analytical skills: Outstanding ability to analyse and synthesize qualitative and/or quantitative information from a variety of sources and filter out key insights and recommendations.
• Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams.
• 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).
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language.
• 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.).
• Cross-cutting themes – Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, land degradation, agroecology, food systems).
• Policy dialogue: Know-how in holding regular and effective consultations with IFAD counterparts – like ministries and governmental bodies at all administrative levels, donors, civil society.
• Project/Programme mgmt (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and evaluation.

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.

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 in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. 

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. 

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.

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.

Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply to this co-terminus position with their employment terms and conditions, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional on the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding finish, the position will be abolished and the staff member will be subject to the relevant provisions foreseen in the HR Implementing Procedures.