The Technical Analyst will work under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Director, ECG and under the supervision of the Lead Technical Specialist, Environment and Climate Cluster. S/he will work collaboratively as part of an innovative and dynamic group of committed professionals within the Environment and Climate Cluster team (including five Lead Technical Specialists for climate and environment in IFAD regions, the Biodiversity Technical Specialist, three Adaptation Specialists, and Knowledge Management Specialist), as well as IFAD Country Programme Directors and other staff. 

S/He will provide technical support to projects with a view to ensure they consistently adhere to IFAD’s Paris Alignment Framework, and promote effective climate resilience and adaptation, as well as biodiversity-positive and nature-based solutions. S/He will support ECG in ensuring consistency with corporate processes and policies and deliver high-quality technical advice and support to IFAD country programmes. S/He will support IFAD’s effort in increasing climate finance to the small-scale farmers.

The Technical Analyst will collaborate with other Specialists (both internal to IFAD and external) to ensure the collection and dissemination of lessons learned and emerging developments in the thematic areas of  environment, climate change, biodiversity, agroecology and nature-based solutions (and, where appropriate: gender, indigenous peoples, nutrition, youth and persons with disabilities). 

Work will include:

• Sound technical analysis, advice and support
• Country programme analysis and support
• Knowledge management and capacity building support
• Partnership building 
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

The following “Key Results Expected/Major Functional Activities” are generic and representational. As such the Technical Analyst will perform the majority, but not necessarily all of the below activities.

1) Technical Advice and Support

As part of the Environment and Climate cluster, the JPO will, in her/his first year:

• Provide technical advice and support to improve the capacity of IFAD to implement Environment and Climate the Paris Alignment Framework and Biodiversity Strategy; 
• Help to mainstream environmental sustainability, climate resilience and biodiversity enhancement into national government policies and programmes and ensure IFAD is regarded as a trusted and valued partner in agricultural development;
• Advance thematic work on climate, environment, biodiversity and agroecology in the IFAD portfolio;
• Support IFAD’s country-level programme and portfolio, ensuring that new investment designs are viable and sustainable;
• Provide environment-, climate- and biodiversity-oriented advice and support on policy, institutional and technical issues throughout the project cycle. This includes participating in key processes such as Project Design Team (PDT) meetings and reviews such as the Operational and Strategic Committee (OSC) review and Design Review Meetings (DRM), as well as in supervision and project completion missions;
• Support the identification, design and quality enhancement of submissions to multilateral environment and climate Fund projects/programmes (including to the Adaptation Fund (AF), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF));
• Provide technical support to staff, field missions and national programmes at all stages of the project cycle, including design, implementation and completion; and
• Provide technical support to projects monitoring and evaluation efforts and participate in implementation support and supervision missions.

2) Knowledge Management and Capacity Development

Throughout her/his assignment both in Rome, in one of the regional Hubs and, if renewed, in one of IFAD’s country offices, the JPO will enhance the development of viable and sustainable policies and investment projects and programmes at the country, regional (year 2/3) and global levels through technical knowledge sharing. S/He will ensure country-level access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation and scientific best practice. The JPO will engage in communities of practice and use this knowledge to strengthen national technical capacity, and establish new knowledge and advisory partnerships. The JPO will be required to give Knowledge management support focusing on the following areas:

• Collect, document and report good practices;
• Develop and disseminate knowledge products, operational tools and guidelines; 
• Assist in impact assessments of selected projects in the hub;
• Contribute to the development of network(s) and communities of practice of environment, climate and biodiversity focal points from IFAD-funded projects and practitioners at hub level; 
• Facilitate and provide technical support on environment, climate, biodiversity and agroecology capacity development and training, through an integrated approach, to support project staff, national partners, and service providers. 
• Support the generation of lessons learned through analytical studies, sharing knowledge and experiences with project teams and colleagues in the IFAD Strategy and Knowledge Department, and Programme Management Department; 
• Support enhancement of the Fund’s portfolio through the collaborative diffusion of country-level strategic innovations in the fields of environment sustainability, climate resilience and adaptation, biodiversity enhancement and nature-based solutions;
• Participate in IFAD-wide thematic discussions and developing appropriate technical and operational recommendations to improve country/divisional strategies and programmes;
• Prepare, disseminate and exchange relevant knowledge with institutions outside of IFAD, within the region concerned and national institutions. This may include mobilizing and engaging outside partners and stakeholders through publication of occasional papers, journal articles, seminars and workshops, through electronic media and the development of new knowledge products and operational tools that are informed by learning from the field; and
• Support strengthening IFAD’s representation and communication on environment, climate and biodiversity-related issues in policy dialogue/processes and strategic fora, including by representing IFAD at international, national and regional meetings, seminars and conferences. 

3) Partnership Building

The JPO is expected to develop and maintain a network of peer contacts inside and outside of IFAD to keep up-to-date on activities at the country and regional levels, to support joint advocacy and for knowledge gathering and sharing. This combines to enhance the Fund’s profile as a highly competent and viable partner in low emission, climate-resilient development. Work may include:

• Building partnerships with complementary technical organizations, NGOs, and specialized departments of other development agencies as operational and strategic partners at regional and country levels;
• Supporting strengthening of IFAD’s engagement with bilateral Donors and Governing Bodies for the AF, GEF and GCF and UN/other entities working in the biodiversity sphere; and 
• Supporting the strengthening of IFAD’s representation and communication in international policy and technical dialogues, processes and fora. 

4) Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

The JPO will support IFAD in its improvement of monitoring and reporting on climate and environment-related, and particularly biodiversity activities. S/He will help ECG/OPR to collect, manage and analyse data, which will help to document progress on IFAD's climate, environmental and biodiversity mainstreaming commitments, and delineate statistics and analytical products that enhance country level programme and funding decisions. This work may entail:

• Assisting in designing projects with clear environment and climate rationales and logic embedded within the designs;
• Ensuring projects’ correct inclusion and measurement of relevant environment, climate and biodiversity indicators;
• Providing progress reports, including quantitative aggregation of targets and results and qualitative storytelling;
• Preparing thematic reviews on project or programme performance and results;
• Aggregating results from IFAD supervision reports to strengthen annual corporate reporting;
• Ensuring compatibility of project logframes with IFAD's Operational Results Management System (ORMS); 
• Statistically analysing the IFAD investment portfolio from an environment, climate and biodiversity related angle;
• Supporting the monitoring of project implementation and maintaining an early warning/traffic light system for problem projects; and
• Supporting the Director/Lead Technical Specialist in his/her reporting of the divisional plans and operational strategies to the senior management.

5) Managerial Functions

The JPO will not require any managerial capacity, as the role will not have any subordinates. The JPO will still be accountable for adherence to IFAD’s core values and code of conduct however, including integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources.

Key performance indicators include:

• Technical analyses and syntheses to improve the design and implementation of climate resilient, environmentally sustainable and biodiversity positive projects/programmes, including projects/programmes resourced from external Funds;
• Knowledge sharing among peers and counterparts to enhance cooperation, complementarity and synergies across IFAD Divisions and Departments; and
• Monitoring and evaluation to track results, measure and report on lessons learned, and codify best practices. 

Operating as a Technical Analyst, work will be reviewed by the supervisor to ensure compliance with IFAD’s commitments. 

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
• Demonstrating Leadership: Leads by example; initiates and supports change (Level 1)
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Challenges, innovates and contributes to a learning culture (Level 1)
• Focusing on clients: Contributes to a client-focused culture (Level 1)
• Problem solving and decision making: Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact (Level 1)
• Managing time, resources and information: Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources (Level 1)
• Team Work: Fosters a cohesive team environment (Level 1)
• Communicating and negotiating: Acquires and uses a wide range of communication styles and skills (Level 1)
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally (Level 1)

Technical/Functional

• Capacity to communicate fluently with different counterparts (civil societies, government authorities, local communicates, project staff) to align parties and build networks, enhancing coherence and collaboration across multiple programmes in the region.
• Writes clearly and succinctly and is able to form a coherent and compelling argument.
• Listens and communicates effectively to engage others.
• Skill in the design and coordination of technical research, formulation of project documents and identification of innovative solutions to emerging issues.
• Ability to share technical guidance/knowledge at the peer level.
• Strong organizational, planning, prioritizing, problem-solving skills and abilities, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals.
• Ability to plan and work of a mid-sized team.
• Ability to interpret data, present rational conclusions and defend recommended actions.
• Produces well-structured, factually and analytically accurate reports.
• Captures experience and knowledge from assignment for wider dissemination.
• Experience with vulnerability assessments.
• Experience in monitoring an evaluation of projects and programs.
• Ability to work well with multi-cultural teams.
• Ability to set out a coherent argument in writing, presentations and group interactions.
• Good working knowledge of Windows-based computing, and electronic communication.

Education

• Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in environmental studies, environmental management, development studies, geography, climatology, rural development or a closely related field. An advanced university degree may be substituted by a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) plus at least four additional years of relevant professional experience, over and above the minimum number of years of experience.

Experience

• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience working on climate, environment and/or biodiversity issues in the context of rural development.
• Knowledge of international policy frameworks and conventions related to global environment, climate change, biodiversity and rural development.
• Experience in project design, implementation and supervision.
• Access to a network of technical and professional resources and expertise, which can be brought to bear to improve portfolio programming.
• Experience in climate risk and vulnerability analysis is desirable.
• Experience with Environments and Climate Funds (AF, GEF and/or GCF) and/or UN or other entities addressing biodiversity is desirable.
• Experience using GIS applications (e.g. ArcGIS, Google Earth) is desirable.

Language requirements:

• Full command of English, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in writing, presentations and group interactions
• Knowledge of another IFAD official language (Arabic, French, Spanish) or Russian is an asset

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.

*Applicants for this Junior Professional Officer position should be Nationals of Norway.