International and national consultants to support Country Program

IFAD seeks international and national consultants to support Country Program

Duty Station: Hanoi (Vietnam)

Organizational Context

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 Viet Nam IFAD Country Office (ICO) was established in 2004 and officially opened in 2005 in line with the IFAD Field Presence Pilot Programme. In 2008, IFAD signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Government of Viet Nam and out-posted an internationally recruited Country Programme Manager (CPM) for the first time.  In 2018, following the IFAD accelerated decentralization plan (2018-2019), the ICO was officially renamed "Mekong Hub" and as of 2022, in line with the ongoing Decentralization 2.0 plan, the Mekong Hub has been designated as a Multi-Country Office (MCO) headquartered in Hanoi. The Mekong MCO hosts two Country Directors (one for Viet Nam, Thailand and Myanmar and Lao PDR; and the other for Cambodia). The Mekong MCO currently manages a portfolio of 11 active loans (total IFAD financing of about US$ 440 M). These projects cover a range of interventions such as commodity-based value chains, credit and financial services, extension, climate change adaptation, food and nutrition security to improve the lives of the small holder farmers, fishermen, women and youth. In addition, it has several active grants, including regional grants.

The consultant will provide analytical and support to the IFAD Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Hanoi and contribute to the overall management of the portfolios of Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Myanmar. The consultant will also be expected to contribute to coordination efforts that support the design and operational implementation of projects under the Mekong MCO, including through collaboration with other countries under the Mekong MCO.

The consultant will work under the overall strategic, policy and management advice, and supervision of the Head of the MCO. S/He will also work collaboratively with other members of the Mekong MCO.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will be expected to evolve during the period of the assignment. The consultant will provide support to the IFAD Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Hanoi and contribute to the overall management of the portfolios of Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Myanmar, specifically in carrying out the following assignment:

Country Strategy and Country Programme Support

• Provide support to the Head of MCO and CDs in programme and portfolio management for the lending and non-lending portfolios, specifically in ensuring compliance with IFAD corporate policies, strategies and mainstreaming commitments; responding to corporate reviews, monitoring and reporting requests; and preparing and reviewing relevant official communications for Government counterparts as needed.
• Provide support to the MCO in preparing and undertaking programme design implementation missions and supervision missions for Vietnam, Lao PDR and Myanmar portfolios, including providing technical inputs in relevant performance areas as required and ensuring quality and timeliness of the final mission reports.
• Provide technical inputs and contribute to reviewing and ensuring timeliness and quality of delivery of project and programme’s key documents for Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Myanmar portfolios, including project concept notes (PCN), project design reports (PDR), project completion report (PCR), mid-term reviews (MTR), country strategies (COSOP) review report, integrated project risk matrix (IPRM), as needed.

Policy Development, Knowledge Management and Partnership Building Support

• Provide technical inputs and support to Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Myanmar portfolios in preparing Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) events and products.
• Provide technical support in identifying and reviewing partnership proposals and international co-financing opportunities to expand or upscale Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Myanmar portfolios.
• Undertake any other assignment as requested by management.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Education and experience:

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in the field of specialization, e.g., economics / agricultural economics, development, political science, or international relations.
• At least two years' experience providing research, background and analysis for issues related to international and rural development.
• Previous experience in supporting operations within a national or international development institution would be considered an advantage.

Organizational/technical competencies:

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision-making ability
• Managing time, resources, and information: Manages own time, information, and resources effectively
• Teamwork: Contributes effectively to the team
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships

Technical

• Ability to research and synthesize complex information.
• Ability to undertake quantitative analysis and facility with numbers.
• Excellent writing and drafting skills in English.
• Familiarity with development partners – especially other multilateral lending institutions.

Languages and other skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Please submit your application to [email protected].