The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is excited to announce a vacancy for the position of Regional Technical Specialist (Water & Rural Infrastructure) for 2025.
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This critical role focuses on enhancing water management and rural infrastructure to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve livelihoods in rural communities. The Regional Technical Specialist will work closely with local partners and stakeholders to design and implement innovative solutions that address water scarcity, promote efficient resource use, and strengthen rural infrastructure.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to IFAD’s mission of eradicating poverty and fostering sustainable development in rural areas.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:
- Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains effective working relationships
- Communicating and negotiating – Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
- Demonstrating leadership – Personal leadership and attitude to change
- Focusing on clients – Focuses on clients
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
- Managing performance and developing staff
- Managing time, resources and information – Manages own time, information and resources effectively
- Problem-solving and decision-making – Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
- Strategic thinking and organizational development – Personal influence
- Team working – Contributes effectively to the team
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 – Engineering, Civil engineering, Water and irrigation, Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, etc.
- Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.
Experience:
- At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of infrastructure and water management, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to agriculture and rural development programmes.
- Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
- Demonstration of technical skills in water and rural infrastructure applied to the design and coordination of agriculture and rural development projects and interventions and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues. In particular in formulating technical guidance to agricultural and rural development programs with a proven in the field of water and rural infrastructure particularly: (i) involvement of water users and community based organizations in the design and construction of water/irrigation systems, (ii) design and construction of water harvesting, storage, water conveyance systems, irrigation saving techniques, and (iii) design and construction of post-harvest and storage facilities, farm tracks, rural roads, market places, etc., taking into account climate-smart design criteria and using renewable energy where appropriate.
- Ability to share technical guidance / knowledge at the governmental and peer levels as well as to inspire more junior specialists and programme staff in the development of viable programme activities.
- Familiarity with application of IFIs safeguards to manage the social, climate and environmental effects of water and rural infrastructure projects and experience in dealing with private sector are strong assets.
- Experience in international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset.
Languages:
- Required English (4 – Excellent)
- Required 2nd language: French (4 – Excellent)
- Knowledge of another language Spanish, Arabic is a plus
Skills:
- Advocacy: Ability to leverage IFAD knowledge and/or communication materials to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD`s vision and strategic priorities to external actors
- Evidence-based policy: Know-how in the formulation of concrete and actionable policy recommendations based on hard evidence (going beyond simple data interpretation)
- Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD’s activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
- Stakeholder management: Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.)
- Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
- Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
- Confidentiality & Discretion: Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a “Culture Carrier” demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through their work.
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
- Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
- 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.)
- Social & Environmental Safeguards: Know-how in Social & Environmental complianc as specified in the IFAD’s Social, Environmental and Climate Assessment Procedures (SECAP)
- Cross-cutting themes – Environment & climate change: Expertise specific to the environment and climate change cross-cutting theme (e.g. climate and environmental policy, biodiversity, agroecology)
- Cross-cutting themes – Gender and social inclusion: Expertise specific to gender and social inclusion cross-cutting theme (e.g. youth, targeting strategies)
- Cross-cutting themes – Nutrition: Expertise specific to nutrition cross-cutting theme (e.g. food systems)
- Project/Programme mgmt (incl. coordination, design, development): Know-how in Project design and evaluation
- Water & Rural infrastructure: Expertise in sustainable water resources management, (including catchment management, water harvesting/storage); agriculture water management activities such as irrigation/drainage infrastructure and its management; and in rural infrastructure including development of rural building; transport systems and networks and domestic water supply.
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, 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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