IFA is Seeking a Temporary Professional Officer ( TPO) : Junior Advisor for External Relations Department
Are you an analytical and driven professional with a passion for international development? The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger, is seeking a Temporary Professional Officer (TPO) / Junior Advisor for its External Relations Department (ERD) Front Office. This short-term contract offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to IFAD’s strategic external engagement and resource mobilization efforts.
About the Opportunity
This Call for Interest is for a Temporary Professional Officer (TPO) position or a Temporary Assignment. While a short-term contract with no expectation of continuous employment, it provides invaluable experience within an international financial institution at the heart of global agricultural development.
IFAD invests in rural people by financing programs that boost agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes. The organization plays a critical role in advocating for policies that drive rural transformation at local, national, and international levels.
The External Relations Department (ERD) is central to IFAD’s global outreach. It spearheads public and political advocacy, fosters partnerships, mobilizes resources (including through IFAD’s triennial Replenishment process), and leads strategic communications. The selected Junior Advisor will join the Front Office of the Associate Vice-President for External Relations and Governance (ERD/FOE), playing a crucial role in supporting the AVP’s daily work, external engagements, and strategic initiatives.
Your Role and Key Contributions
As a Junior Advisor, you will provide substantive technical and analytical support to the AVP and the broader ERD. Your focus will be on:
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- Strategic Support to Senior Management in ERD: This includes analyzing policy matters, recommending decision options, preparing summaries and analytical briefs, and reviewing documents for the AVP’s approval, particularly related to official correspondence and supplementary funds. You’ll also prepare position papers and provide data to support the AVP’s external agenda, fostering innovative collaboration across senior management.
- Support to IFAD’s External Engagements and Corporate Priorities: You’ll assist in preparing for official missions (including for the AVP ERD and support to the Office of the President), external meetings, conferences, and internal forums. This involves preparing written summaries of meetings, leading follow-up activities, and assisting in the preparation of effective briefing materials such such as policy papers, reports, presentations, and talking points.
Key performance indicators for this temporary assignment include the timely delivery of strategic advice, effective coordination for ERD missions (e.g., UNGA, WB Annual Meetings, COP30), and seamless coordination of the AVP’s external engagements.
Who IFAD is Looking For
To excel in this role, candidates should possess:
- Education: An advanced university degree in international relations, political sciences, public administration, international development, economics, or a related subject from an accredited institution.
- Experience: At least two years of progressively relevant professional experience in a related analytical support role within an international financial institution, development cooperation agency, and/or the United Nations system.
- A proven track record in reviewing and analyzing financial documents is essential.
- Experience in policy engagement, project/programme management (especially in fragile or conflict-affected countries), or private sector financing for development would be a strong asset.
- Demonstrated competency in evidence-based analysis and information synthesis is key.
- Skills: Strong diplomatic and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders. The role requires a high level of confidentiality, good judgment in handling sensitive issues, and the ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.
- Languages: Fluency in English (excellent level) is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic (good level) is desirable.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational competencies including relationship building, communication, leadership, client focus, knowledge sharing, effective time and resource management, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and teamwork. Personal resilience and flexibility are also highly valued.
Apply to Make a Difference
This is a compelling opportunity for a skilled professional to gain significant experience at a leading international financial institution, directly contributing to IFAD’s mission of eradicating rural poverty and hunger.
If you meet the qualifications and are eager to support strategic global engagements, visit the IFAD careers portal to submit your application.
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