1. DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY AND POLICY: The incumbent supports the Divisional Director in implementing its modernization agenda and in leading the continuous evolution of PFM's operating model, promoting simplified, principles-based approaches, digital enablement and stronger integration between procurement, financial management and disbursement (collectively, referred to as fiduciary) and operational delivery functions. The incumbent proactively develops principle-based and risk-based strategic responses to the on-going evolution of the operational model of the Fund, including new financing products, emerging fiduciary challenges in the client countries and new financing sources. Performing this role effectively will require strong change management skills and the ability to productively and collaboratively engage with and consult colleagues in other Divisions, both formally and informally.The incumbent is accountable for leading and managing medium to long-term procurement and financial management strategies, reforms and innovations to strengthen IFAD's project fiduciary oversight capacity for its full Program of Work and to support the development of capacities of relevant country fiduciary institutions and project management units, giving due consideration to harmonization and alignment with work done by donor partners in this area. On occasions the incumbent will also be tasked to dialogue with senior officers in client governments on matters relating to best practices and international standards in public procurement management and public financial management.
2. EXPERTISE IN PROCUREMENT, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND DISBURSEMENT: The incumbent helps drive the modernization of fiduciary practices through the use of data, technology and risk-based professional judgement to improve operational effectiveness and project outcomes. The incumbent serves as an expert in procurement and financial management, and is a credible, trusted business partner, supporting the Director in developing the Fund's fiduciary strategy as applicable to the global Program of Work of the Fund. The incumbent provides authoritative advice to improve the quality of fiduciary policy analysis, policy development and strategic thinking with a particular focus on COSOPs, project designs and implementation. The incumbent has expertise and knowledge of relevant international standards in these functions, including relevant international diagnostic instruments and methodologies. Prior experience and knowledge of best practices in these areas will be key to providing functional leadership and authoritative guidance to team members and supporting the Division's performance. The incumbent will also occasionally provide authoritative advice to Senior Management on Project procurement and financial management.
3. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING AND POLICY DIALOGUE: The incumbent develops and maintains a network of peer contacts and partners outside IFAD to keep abreast of recent developments and trends and facilitate sharing of information, knowledge exchanges, positioning IFAD in the global arena, and joint advocacy to enhance the Fund's profile as a highly competent and viable partner in development. The incumbent will also occasionally participate in consultative groups with other Multilateral Development Banks and financial institutions relevant to Divisional work, to facilitate cross learning and harmonization of fiduciary policies and practices. The incumbent builds strategic partnerships across operational, technical, and corporate functions to promote shared accountability for project delivery, fiduciary performance, and institutional change objectives.
4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent supports the Divisional Director in leading the cultural and organizational change required to implement the PFM modernization agenda, fostering collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across geographically dispersed teams. Maintaining open and productive communications with team members will be critical to ensure that they remain motivated; client relationships are sound and support to Country Operations is provided in a timely and efficient manner. For PFM to deliver on the Divisional objectives and work plans, the incumbent will need to regularly monitor staff workload and adjust this as needed and feasible. An important attribute is an ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, perspectives on technical matters and viewpoints of the Division to internal and external stakeholders, with an open stance on feedback provided. The incumbent champions the development of a high-performing professional community by strengthening technical capabilities, fostering innovation, and embedding a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning. The incumbent contributes to recruitment of staff, and can coach, mentor and motivate them, identify staff capacity development needs, and evaluate their performance. In addition, the incumbent sets an example for ethical behaviour, integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of Division's work plan and the Fund's mandate, ensuring a client focused problem-solving approach, in particular ensuring strong support to the regional divisions and other operational and technical divisions and project staff.
5. KEY RESULTS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND DISBURSEMENTS: The incumbent promotes more efficient and client-focused financial management and disbursement practices by leveraging systems improvements, automation and risk-based approaches to oversight and support. The incumbent has primary responsibility for developing annual and medium-term work plans for the Division's regional teams, comprising the global portfolio of IFAD's Program or Work, and developing appropriate KPIs. The incumbent supervises the implementation of these work plans by the regional teams, from design stage through implementation to completion, ensuring compliance with institutional and Divisional policies and procedures, in particular including the underlying risk-based assurance framework and related procedures. In addition, the incumbent provides oversight of financial management and disbursement activities undertaken by Borrowers/Recipients in the context of IFAD-financed projects to ensure that these are conducted effectively and efficiently and are consistent with applicable corporate policies and guidelines. Regular monitoring and reporting of KPIs to reflect the Division's work plans will be arranged, including analytical reports, for the benefit of Divisional and Departmental management. Occasionally and as needed, undertake analytical work to highlight portfolio performance on fiduciary aspects, using data and information available internally or externally. The incumbent will maintain close liaison with other Divisions on matters relating to lending terms and provide timely guidance to regional teams of PFM.
6. KEY RESULTS IN PROJECT PROCUREMENT: The incumbent provides overall strategic direction for the development of IFAD's project procurement oversight function, ensuring that procurement activities undertaken by Borrowers/Recipients in the context of IFAD-financed projects are conducted effectively and efficiently and are consistent with applicable corporate policies and guidelines. The incumbent champions modern procurement approaches that strengthen implementation support, increase efficiency, enhance transparency and support value-for-money outcomes throughout the project lifecycle. The incumbent is accountable for leading and managing medium to long-term strategies, reforms and innovations to strengthen IFAD's project procurement oversight capacity and to support the development of national procurement capacities, giving due consideration to harmonization and alignment with internationally accepted practices for public procurement. She/he provides authoritative advice and guidance to management as well as to procurement and other operational staff on strategic and complex operational procurement issues. The incumbent participates in the design of IFAD's corporate strategic approaches and ensure that procurement considerations are fully integrated in the design of assigned activities.
7. QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE: The incumbent strategically guides the organization, function and delivery of project fiduciary oversight and support services across IFAD's portfolio, ensuring appropriate fiduciary and quality controls, and consistent application of IFAD's project procurement and financial management standards by PFM staff and consultants. The incumbent oversees the transition from compliance-driven review processes towards a more risk-based and principles-driven assurance framework that strengthens accountability while supporting timely project delivery.
8. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING: The incumbent contributes towards the development of practical guidance, learning programmes and communities of practice that support adoption of new operating models, emerging technologies and tools, and ways of working across the global PFM function.
The incumbent ensures access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, strengthen regional and national technical capacity and lead the preparation of knowledge products and advisory partnerships as well as coordinating knowledge dissemination and learning processes for enhanced capacity building of both IFAD staff and client project staff. The incumbent will serve as resource person reaching out beyond IFAD regional divisions to partners in development and stakeholders at the corporate and global level.
9. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECALIBRATION ACTIONS: The incumbent acts, in collaboration with the Divisional Director, as a senior change leader for the modernization programme, ensuring effective implementation of organizational, process, technology and workforce reforms while maintaining business continuity and service excellence.
