Programme Assistant

The advertised position is co-terminus, i.e., subject to a limited duration and contingent on project funding. The successful candidate will be offered a co-terminus appointment, the duration of which is strictly limited to the period of funding for the specific project and/or assignment. Any extension, if applicable, will be contingent upon the continued availability of the same funding source, the continued existence of the position, and operational needs. Co-terminus appointments are also subject to a maximum total duration of seven years, including any contract extensions. This type of appointment does not carry any expectation ¿ legal or otherwise ¿ of conversion to any other type of appointment with IFAD, regardless of length of service.

Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply for this co-terminus position, with their terms and conditions of employment, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional upon the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding cease, the position will be abolished and the staff member concerned will be subject to the relevant provisions set out 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 the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Department for Country Operations (DCO) oversees the origination, design and management of IFAD investments, including sovereign and non-sovereign operations, as well as the design and implementation of non-lending activities within country programmes, including policy engagement and SSTC. DCO is the department that primarily interfaces with governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to deliver IFAD’s programme of work and to provide oversight to ensure quality of the portfolio.  

DCO is led by an Associate Vice-President and is composed of five (5) regional divisions: Asia and the Pacific Division (APR), East and Southern Africa Division (ESA), Latin America and Caribbean Division (LAC), Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) and West and Central Africa Division (WCA), the Private Sector Operations Division (PSD), and two (2) units: the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Unit (SSTC) and the fragility unit (FRU).

The Regional Division WCA is led by a Divisional Director, based in the IFAD Regional Office in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The Division leads on the design and delivery of IFAD country and regional programmes in WCA. The precise country coverage of the division varies across replenishment periods.

The Programme Assistant is in charge of supporting the implementation of the SD3C Programme as well as the administrative assistance of the 1Sahel Initiative, including close collaboration with Country Directors of the relevant countries DCO general service staff that support the AICRM and IGREENFIN regional programmes. The Programme Assistant of SD3C and Sahel Initiative is accountable for a range of administrative and programme support functions pertaining to coordination and execution of the SD3C RLO and Sahel Initiative.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the colleagues in the Regional Team, the Country Directors involved in the SD3C, AICRM and IGREENFIN regional programmes and with the Regional Liaison Associate in HQ, to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in administrative and programme related matters.

1. PROGRAMME/PROJECT SUPPORT: the Programme Assistant of SD3C and Sahel Initiative ensures the availability of timely, complete and accurate information and data to support the efficient and effective delivery of the Sahel initiative programme , on behalf of their assigned country teams in all programme phases (Design/Implementation/Completion) for those activities in the Region

Responsibilities may include:
•    Assistance in drafting of Terms of References preparation for missions members (design, implementation support, completion) and in preparing missions for IFAD staff members and contracts/missions  for consultants
•    Support in liaison with the Regional Liaison Associate  the preparation of documents and their alignment to IFAD standards and procedures (e.g. for  project  design  report),  monitoring  to ensure timely  submission  to  internal  review  processes  and presentation to Governing Bodies;
•    Organize in-countries meetings and workshops with internal and external project/programme stakeholders (e.g. project team meetings, negotiations, meetings with governments, country visits of senior management, learning events, etc.), including preparation and dissemination of relevant documentation and scouting for venues and related activities (e.g. maintaining data in IFAD corporate systems) ;
•    Under the supervision of the Regional Liaison Associate perform data base inputing and data cleaning of new investment projects/grants/programmes related to the Sahel initiative in IFAD’s Grants and Investment Projects System (GRIPS) and Operational Results Management System (ORMS) during the project life cycle as well as entering  and  updating data and update of Sahel existing projects in  IFAD’s  Grants  and  Investment  Projects  System  (GRIPS)  and Operational Results Management System (ORMS).
•    Upload and profile required documents for records management and knowledge management purposes (e.g. in the Operations Library (ODC), on xdesk, through IFAD’s electronic records management system), and share of information with project partners and other stakeholders as required.
•    Support the preparation of ad hoc templates for the Sahel initiative reporting and provide initial draft of specific Sahel documentation if required
•    Support in monitoring the overall Sahel budget and in preparing budget proposals in line with the programme of work.

2. OFFICE SUPPORT: The Programme Assistant of SD3C and Sahel Initiative ensures that the full range of activities pertaining to regional programme administrative operations follow established regulations, rules and procedures.

Administrative responsibilities span travel, human and financial resources, and procurement.  Responsibilities may include:
•    Prepare Sahel programmes related travel arrangements, including related PeopleSoft  Financials  Enterprise  Resource Planning (ERP) transactions, for staff located in IFAD’s MCO, including input of mission dates in corporate system, handling of visas and logistical arrangements, and supporting staff in being compliant with UNDSS recommendations on travel;
•    Logistical assistance during recruitment processes of non-staff personnel, e.g. consultants and interns, and related procurement activities, including PeopleSoft input and data maintenance
•    Carry out HR and Financials ERP related transactions and initiating payment requests;
•    Support the administration and execution of allocated programme related budgets and perform the first- level review of administrative expenditures, as required;
•    Provide office assistance, dealing with routine document administration (including managing incoming and outgoing communications and maintaining office records and filing systems) as required;
•    Provide background/supporting documentation upon request, formatting/drafting standard components of documents ensuring timely submission of appropriate documentation into IFAD’s records management system;
•    Perform other administrative activities relating to the running of the office, as required and assigned by the head of the office.

3. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The Programme Assistant of SD3C and Sahel Initiative is accountable for integrity and transparency in the administration of IFAD resources. This includes providing inputs into the country office budget preparation exercises and monitoring sub-allotments issued; implementing procurement processes and assisting in contract close-out procedures; effective use of ERP functionality for improved business results; simplification of transaction and reporting processes; and improved client services, supervision of support staff, as applicable.

The key results have an indirect impact on the overall SD3C and Sahel initiative team in office support and success in implementation of the SD3C  regional lending operation and the Sahel initiative.  Accurate data  entry and  presentation of  information enhances IFAD’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates project/programme support activities and programme decision-making

The Programme Assistant of SD3C and Sahel Initiative works under supervision of the Programme Manager SD3C and 1 Sahel Coordinator in close collaboration with the Multicountry Office Head, the Regional Liaison Associate based in Rome, the Country Diretors involved in the Sahel initiative, the Dakar MCO staff especially the GSA staff, and Green Climate Fund (GCF) regional programmes team of the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division (ECG) and in coordination with the Sahel initiative Programme Delvery Team and Regional team of the West and Central Africa Division. The incumbent is continually involved in enlisting the support and cooperation of administrative units.

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:

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

Education:

• Level ¿ High School certificate (e.g. A level and Baccalaureate)
• Areas of focus – accounting, business administration or related areas

Certifications: 

• Project Management (desirable)

Experience:

• At least four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative and programme support experience in UN agencies, development institutions, government service and/or other relevant organizations.
• Position-specific experience: Qualifying work experience in regional / country programme support, support to Operations, loan/grant administration, and resources and planning. Experience with International financial institutions, development cooperation agencies, etc., and knowledge of monitoring and planning tools /systems would be an asset. Must be a national of, or hold a valid working permit for, the country of assignment.

Languages:

• Required French and English (4 – Excellent)

Skills:

• Logistics management: Know-how in logistics support specific to position, such as Travel Management (including travel arrangements, visa administration, etc.), Event organization (e.g. organization of conferences, (virtual) meetings, retreats, trainings), etc.
• Procedure adherence: Ability to strictly adhere to established, formal guidelines, including in new situations
• Record management: Know-how in record keeping (e.g. proper handling of records and systems to preserve institutional memory, including correspondence logs, office filing and reference systems, etc.)
• Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams
• Basic ICT & digital fluency: High level of digital literacy and ability to quickly get familiar with new digital tools (e.g. ability to carry out EPR data entry and extraction when budgeting; monitoring security systems, uploading content to inter/intra-net websites, etc.)
• Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with others (e.g. visitors, clients, callers, etc.), including senior individuals (e.g. high-level meeting participants)
• Listening: Effective and active listening to others; understanding and acting upon indirect statements
• Problem solving: Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)

The advertised position is co-terminus, i.e., subject to a limited duration and contingent on project funding. The successful candidate will be offered a co-terminus appointment, the duration of which is strictly limited to the period of funding for the specific project and/or assignment. Any extension, if applicable, will be contingent upon the continued availability of the same funding source, the continued existence of the position, and operational needs. Co-terminus appointments are also subject to a maximum total duration of seven years, including any contract extensions. This type of appointment does not carry any expectation ¿ legal or otherwise ¿ of conversion to any other type of appointment with IFAD, regardless of length of service.

Staff members holding an IFAD fixed-term or indefinite appointment are eligible to apply for this co-terminus position, with their terms and conditions of employment, including contractual status, remaining unchanged. Given that the funding of this position is strictly limited in duration and conditional upon the availability of supplementary funds, should the funding cease, the position will be abolished and the staff member concerned will be subject to the relevant provisions set out in the HR Implementing Procedures.

IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD’s Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org

In accordance with IFAD¿s provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD¿s remuneration package, please visit IFAD¿s compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

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.

Applicants for National positions at General Service level must be legally authorized to live and work in the country of recruitment (Senegal) at the time of application. Any job offer is subject to evidence from the candidate to have obtained and be able to maintain the legal status to live and work in the country of recruitment.