Senior Programme Manager - Platform for Agricultural Risk Management

Job Category

Project Management

Job Experience

9 and more

Job Location

Italy

Expiration Date

20 Nov 2013

Purpose of the position

The Senior Programme Manager will be heading the PARM team in facilitating measures aimed at (a) risk assessment and diagnostic and stock-taking studies, (b) identification of country specific ARM tools accessible to policy makers and ARM practitioners, (c) identification, definition, selection and coordination of ARM services, (d) circulation of information between ARM practitioners, investors and the farming community and other local stakeholders and (e) designing and organizing training courses on ARM for public institutions and ARM users/providers complementary with other ongoing programmes.

This facilitation of knowledge and experience exchanges will involve (a) discussions with clients at national and regional level, (b) regular dialogue and search for synergies among its donors and partners and (c) organization of focused client and service provider workshops/round tables on specific ARM issues. PARM also co-finances workshops, studies and training/capacity building programmes.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director PTA, the Senior Programme Manager will report to the Senior Technical Adviser- Rural Finance and assume the duties and responsibilities described below:

•     Provide leadership on all operations with core clients of PARM, which consist of institutional beneficiaries in developing countries. These activities will be conducted first in Sub-Saharan Africa, in cooperation with governments of LDCs, LMICs, interested Regional Economic Communities/African Union (RECs/AU) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
•     Lead the PARM planning and regional and country strategy implementation processes and assure strategic coherence and operational synergies in partner engagements at international, regional and country levels. This involves inter alia coordinating the formulation and implementation of PARM¿s annual business plan, concrete objectives, programme of work and budget in direct collaboration with donors and partners.
•     Manage analyses of ARM demand from clients in collaboration with donors and partners (partner country diagnostics and country policy dialogue).
•     Oversee the work of primary agricultural risk management analyses in relation with clients' demand as well as identification, definition, selection and coordination of ARM service providers.
•     Supervise implementation of ARM services by third party providers.
•     Provide overall guidance in the support to clients in identifying additional resources to fund ARM services.
•     Represent IFAD and PARM in relevant regional/global policy forums and make evidence-based contributions to related ARM debates in light of IFAD¿s and other experiences.
•     Provide guidance to the team and supervise the communication strategy of PARM, and oversee content, production and dissemination of  knowledge sharing materials.
•     Coach the PARM team and facilitate their work with other facilities such as the Weather Risk Management Facility and Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme on selected topics.
•     Ensure that PARM strategy and activities are aligned with the overall IFAD's corporate priorities in related areas of operations.
•     Any other duties as and when required by the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee that are in line with this position and are aimed at achieving PARM's objectives and goal.

Education and experience

•     Advanced university degree (Master¿s or equivalent) in Agricultural Economics or related area.
•     At least 10 years of professional work with relevant experience in agricultural risk management in the context of developing countries.
•     Demonstrated experience in managing a team and achieving results through others.
•     Familiarity with the key regional and global centres of excellence in relevant professional areas/domains.

Technical/functional competencies

•     Results-oriented performer: ability to deliver high-quality outputs under pressure as part of a multicultural team.
•     Negotiator and Communicator: works effectively with others to meet mutual goals, negotiates to align parties, builds networks, listens and communicates effectively to engage others.
•     Planner and Organizer: ability to set clear priorities within a boundless and often challenging agenda with tight deadlines.
•     Team leader/worker: capacity to foster and coordinate teamwork; and establish harmonious working relationships in a multicultural environment
•     Model of integrity, trustworthy and confident: highest standard s of personal integrity, trustworthiness, discretion and maturity.

Languages and other skills

•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; including the ability to set out a coherent analysis in presentations and group interactions.
•     Good working knowledge of French or Spanish.
•     Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft packages and electronic communication 

Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

IFAD reserves the right to appoint a candidate at the appropriate grade commensurate with experience and knowledge.

Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD's Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if you so desire, only as a supplement and not a substitute to the PHF. THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH THE ONLINE SYSTEM ONLY.

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.