IFAD Focal Point

Terms of Reference for Consultants and other persons hired by IFAD under a non-staff contract

General Description of Task(s) and Objective(s) to be Achieved

Position Summary:
Based in Dushanbe, The IFAD Focal Point in Tajikistan will provide in-country support to the implementation of IFAD’s Country Programme, facilitating and ensuring day to day effective liaison with national stakeholders, with a specific emphasis on government counterparts,  and ensuring implementation of IFAD’s operations in Tajikistan. This role includes project support, strategic partnerships, policy advising, and coordination with relevant agencies to promote rural development in alignment with IFAD’s goals.

Expected Activities

Programme Implementation Support

• Assist in implementing IFAD-funded projects, ensuring follow-up with Project Management Units (PMUs) on supervision recommendations.
• Participate in project design, supervision, and reviews, integrating IFAD's strategic priorities into project operations.
• Ensure swift collaboration with government counterparts in the development and implementation of IFAD country programme, through strategic exchanges with MOF, MOA, CEP and other relevant government counterparts. 

Strategic Partnerships and Donor Coordination

• Represent IFAD at donor harmonization events, development forums, and sector coordination meetings.
• Maintain collaborative partnerships with donor agencies, with a focus on DCC and UNCT processes, ensuring alignment with IFAD’s rural development objectives.

Policy and Advisory Support

• Monitor and report on government policies related to agriculture and rural development.
• Advise on emerging policy issues impacting IFAD’s operations and assist in policy dialogue with national stakeholders.

Reporting and Documentation

• Submit monthly reports summarizing activities, partnerships, and policy updates.
• Contribute sections to project supervision reports, particularly related to project management and policy engagement.
• In the context of programme development and delivery, the Focal point under the supervision of the CD ensures the exchange of information, advocates for programme and policy enhancements and ensures consistency and reliability in the provision of development assistance to the government. 
• In collaborations with other members of the UN country team, bi-lateral development agencies, NGOs and country programme counterparts the FP establishes and maintains relationships and projects the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for harmonization of development activities.
• Organizational Competencies:
  • 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
  • Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
  • Problem-solving and demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
  • Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
  • Team working - Contributes effectively to the team
• Education:
• Experience:
  •  At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme coordination
  •  Experience in contributions to strategic documents and processes.
  •  Good knowledge of the Tajik rural context, national strategic priorities and local context are an asset.
  • Experience in working with in-country partners and specifically of government counterparts such as MOF, MOA, MOFA and CEP are an advantage 
• Languages:
  • English, Russian (4 - Excellent)
• Skills:
  •  Advocacy: Know-how in advocacy, to maintain and promote constructive dialogue around IFAD’s vision to external actors
  •  IFAD partners: Knowledge of IFAD's partners' functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors
  •  Analytical skills: Outstanding ability to analyse and synthesize qualitative and/or quantitative information from a variety of sources and filter out key insights and recommendations
  •  Risk management (e.g. reputational): Identification and assessment of potential liabilities and risks in IFAD's activities, particularly vis-à-vis third parties; ability to handle risks via contingency and mitigation strategies
  •  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
  •  Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
  •  Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement
  •  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)
  •  Political acumen: Ability to conduct sound political analysis and understand complex environments, providing options and advice
  • Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written ommunication in the language needed for specific role. 

Working Relationships

Job Profile Requirements

Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution in agriculture, economics, rural finance, development policy or related field.

Key Performance Indicators