Food Systems Coordination Officer (co-terminus, 2 years) [JOB DUTY STATION: ROME, ITALY, P-3]

This job is based in Rome, Italy.

Organizational Setting

* This is atwo-year fixed-termco-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds. Contract renewal depends on funding availability and/or duration of the project. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract.

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 External Relations Department (ERD) leads IFAD's external engagement through public and political advocacy, global policy engagement, partnership building, resource mobilization and strategic communications. ERD also leads IFAD's Replenishment, which is the process through which IFAD mobilizes core funding from Member States and agrees on priorities and targets for the Fund's work during each three-year replenishment period. ERD is led by an Associate Vice President and is comprised of two divisions: Global Engagement Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division (GPR) and the Communications Division (COM), and one initiative: The Food Systems Coordination (FSC).

IFAD and the World Bank have been designated as co-leads on the financing agenda for food systems transformation. FSC leads this workstream, including IFAD's engagement in the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the 3FS tool to measure financial flows to food systems.

Job Role

The aim of the position is to deepen corporate level collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange and policy influence within the scope of assignment. The position may also serve as focal point on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development. The incumbent works across functional teams at IFAD and with external partners to coordinate the FSC workstream (including preparing briefings, talking points and guidance for management) as well as to provide technical expertise on food systems and develop new approaches which expand the range of services or programmes delivered. The key result is to ensure greater visibility and influence for IFAD in support of its mission.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the IFAD's Director for Food Systems Coordination and work collaboratively with other colleagues across IFAD to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the coordination of their assigned portfolio and the provision of technical support within their assigned portfolios. The key result is to ensure greater visibility and influence for IFAD in support of its mission. They will be working with key partners such the World Bank, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General office, RBAs, other UN agencies, stakeholder's representatives, IFAD senior management and other IFAD Divisions and internal stakeholders.

Job Profile Requirements

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 performance and developing staff -
• 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 - Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in a technically relevant area.
• Areas - International development, international relations, Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics etc.
• Degree must be an accredited institution listed on whed.net/home.php .

Experience:

• At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Experience in international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset

Languages:

• Required: English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic

Click "Apply" to read the full job description and submit your application.

Deadline for applications: 17th September 2025 (23.59 CET Rome)

Ref: VA 30628