This job is based in Rome, Italy. Organizational Setting This is a two-year fixed-term co-terminus position. A co-terminus fixed-term appointment is an IFAD employment contract externally funded (supplementary funded, funded by trust funds in administration or other), strictly limited in duration to the funding of the position, where appointment and extension is conditional on the availability of resources and limited to the externally funded assignment. A co-terminus appointment shall not exceed the duration of the specific assignment and/or project outlined in the letter of appointment and does not carry any expectation, legal or otherwise, or conversion, irrespective of the length of service. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract. Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply to this co-terminus position with their employment terms and conditions, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional on the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding finish, the position will be abolished and the staff member will be subject to the relevant provisions foreseen in the HR Implementing Procedures. 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 local, national and international levels for policies that contribute to rural transformation. The Office of Technical Delivery is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to IFAD teams engaged in the design and implementation of projects and programmes to deliver the high technical quality investments that facilitate rural transformation, and which comply with IFAD&aposs mandate and operational policies. The Office ensures IFAD applies and disseminates state of the art knowledge in its investments and evidence on strategic themes and encourages the innovative application of global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments. This helps countries tackle complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation including mainstreaming areas. The Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) is led by a Managing Director and is comprised of two (2) divisions: the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG) and the Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI). The Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) facilitates improved and efficient delivery of IFAD&aposs corporate mandate, predominantly through the quality of the design and implementation of its policies, country strategies and projects. Key functions and activities of PMI include Quality Enhancement, Policy Engagement, Networking and Strategic Partnerships. PMI&aposs technical mandate covers a range of themes, all of which are key to deliver IFAD&aposs strategic framework, including: agronomy, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, markets and value chains, agriculture research for development (AR4D), ICT4D, inclusive rural finance (including PARM, INSURED and remittances), rural institutions and farmers organizations, rural infrastructure, water, land and natural resources management. Position specifics: PMI is led by a Divisional Director and the incumbent will be directly supervised by the Lead Global Technical Specialist for Agronomy. Job Role The Senior Technical Specialist serves as IFAD&aposs technical expert in their area of expertise. The position supports country/regional programs by providing state-of-the-art global technical advice throughout the project cycle (strategic and operational), as well as contributes to the corporate agenda, in their technical area of expertise. Within their areas of responsibility, the Senior Technical Specialist exercises a high degree of independence in providing reliable programme delivery. The incumbent at this level performs the full complexity range of work independently, including the analysis and approval of complex and/or precedent setting cases with the aim to ensure cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support. The incumbent works collaboratively with the thematic Technical Specialists, Country Directors (CD)/Heads of Multi-country Offices (MCO) and other staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical advice and provision of programme development support. Job Profile Requirements Organizational Competencies: Level 2: Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally Communicating and negotiating - Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills Demonstrating leadership - Leads by example; initiates and supports change Focusing on clients - Contributes to a client-focused culture Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture Managing performance and developing staff - Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization Managing time, resources and information - Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources Problem-solving and decision-making - Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact Strategic thinking and organizational development - Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles Team working - Fosters a cohesive team environment Education: Advanced Degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area. Areas - agronomy, agriculture, environmental management and food systems, economics, geography, climatology, engineering, or any relevant rural research and development subject. Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php. Experience: At least eight (8) years work experience in the formulation, management and supervision of research and development investment programmes, mobilization of resources and reporting to donors Three (4) years work experience in an international, multi-cultural organization providing support on a global scale. Demonstrated experience understanding issues related to sustainable agronomic systems, including the ability to set out coherent strategies in writing, through presentations and at international fora. Demonstrated experience in the formulation, supervision and reporting of rural development projects, including field experience in different developing countries Demonstrated experience of collaborating with partners with complementary comparative advantages and in negotiation, decision-making while leading complex project designs and implementation/supervision issues. Experience of working with academic centres of excellence, regional research and trade entities. Demonstrated experience in publishing peer reviewed articles and book chapters that summarise key technologies and approaches adapted to context specific and agriculturally dependent beneficiaries. Experience of working with EU, CGIAR, CAADP, or other multilateral or bilateral sources will be an advantage Good working knowledge of Windows-based computing, and electronic communication is a requirement. Languages: English (4 - Excellent) Additional IFAD language (Arabic, French or Spanish) would be a strong asset. Click "Apply" to read the full job description and submit your application. Deadline for applications: 15th September 2025 (23.59 CET Rome) Ref: VA 30496 Show more Show less