Country Programme Analyst at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Country Programme Analyst

Vacancy Announcement Number: 2029
Location: Abuja
Organizational Unit: West & Central Africa Div.
Duration of Assignment: 2 Years

Post's Organizational Accountability
Under the overall policy and management guidance and direct supervision of a Country Director (CD), the Country Programme Analyst is responsible for established programme/project coordination. The Country Programme Analyst’s accountabilities/key results are:

• Country Programme Support
• Country Office Support
• Support to Partnership Building
• Support to Policy Analysis/Knowledge Management
• Reporting
• Managerial Functions

The Country Programme Analyst is expected to perform functions related to IFAD’s mandate of improving rural foods security and nutrition and enabling poor rural men and women to overcome their poverty and to overall efforts by IFAD within the UN Common System to increase capacity-building and sustainable development in developing countries.

Key Results Expected / Major Functional Activities

• Country Programme Support: The Country Programme Analyst collects and analyzes data to acquire a basic understanding of international practices and HQ procedures to complement his/her knowledge of national practices in support of programme / project activities. S/He enhances the technical quality of IFAD country activities by supporting programme (COSOP) and project (grants and loans) design, supervision, and implementation and completion (PCR) activities. The Analyst specifically provides substantive contributions to monitoring and evaluation (RIMS) and reporting (PSR). The Country Programme Analyst participates in capacity building activities including support to the identification, analysis, documentation, harmonization and dissemination of both national and local issues as well as conditions, best practices and lessons learned among partner development agencies.
• Country Office Support: The Country Programme Analyst is accountable for day-to-day support to administration and reporting in support of the CD. S/He provides analysis of and inputs to budget preparation, monitors expenditures and grant portfolios providing support as requested.
• Support To Partnership Building: As a country team member, the Country Programme Analyst supports the CO’s relationships through the identification of potential partners, development initiatives and best practices. S/He analyzes findings in comparison with the assigned Fund strategies, identifying potential opportunities. The Analyst maintains counterpart contacts needed to promote programme and project implementation. Activities encompass tracking project/programme documentation through the project cycle, including completion.
• Support To Policy Analysis / Knowledge Management: As a country team member, the Country Programme Analyst participates in relevant policy meetings and events of interest to IFAD’s target groups which involve the government, donors, and civil society, including NGOs, in order to analyze and draft reports on innovations and developments for knowledge sharing. From a national perspective and in-depth knowledge of government structure, development environment and local culture, s/he gathers evidenced based data from projects in support of linking the realities on the ground and the voices of the poor with the policies and programmes of the government.
• Reporting: The Country Programme Analyst is accountable for supporting communications with headquarters as well as the drafting regular and periodic reports and documents. Reports may include project, country office, thematic or country portfolio reports. S/He compiles data for and drafts the country office half-yearly and annual reports including lessons learned from design and implementation support experience as well as occasional reports and specific information and documents per request.
• Managerial Functions: The Country Programme Analyst is accountable for IFAD core values and code of conduct, including integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.

Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators:

• Technical analysis and synthesis of information and data, including database management, creates the foundation for IFAD’s decision-making and quality of policy and programme advice provided to regional staff and/or the government.
• Analytical documents and linked monitoring frameworks (programme logframes which support IFAD Results-Based Country Strategic Opportunities Programme [RB-COSOP] objectives and results framework) are used in the development and evaluation of IFAD’s country programme.
• Thus the Country Programme Analyst indirectly supports the country office’s reputation for capacity and for programme delivery and enhances its recognition as a reliable development partner.

Representation / Work relationships:

• In the context of programme development and delivery, the Country Programme Analyst ensures the exchange of technical information as well as builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with counterparts and other partners to enhance consistency and reliability in the provision of development assistance to the government.
• In work relationships with counterparts s/he establishes and maintains relationships and projects the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for harmonization of development activities. S/He facilitates programme/project logistics and administration with local authorities as required.

Minimum Recruitment Qualifications
Education:

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in rural development, agriculture, agricultural economics, rural finance, development policy or related disciplines.
• An advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four (4) additional years of relevant professional experience, over and above the minimum number of years of experience.

Experience:

• At least two (2) years’ progressively responsible professional experience in development institutions and/or government service. Qualifying work experience in country programme analysis or loan/grant administration with International financial institutions, development cooperation agencies, etc., would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.

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)

Technical / Functional:

• Thorough knowledge of national policies and development priorities as well as of government structure and operation.
• Knowledge of rural project management and market development; field experience related to agricultural and rural development is desirable.
• Knowledge of policy-oriented, programme based pro-poor approaches, and loan and grant preparation.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify systemic administrative and logistic issues and recommend solutions.
• Capacity to communicate fluently with different counterparts (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff) to align parties and build networks.
• Writes clearly, succinctly and convincingly listens and communicates effectively to engage others.
• Computer skills: Knowledge of ERP systems is an asset, full command of office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and common Internet applications.

Other Information:

• 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.

Application Closing Date
3rd March, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: This position is only open to nationals of Nigeria. IFAD is committed to achieving gender diversity. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.