Call for Interest - Consultant (ICT4D) for Asia and Pacific Region (APR)

Remote | Remote - Based

Organization: IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
Location: Remote | Remote - Based
Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: 2024-01-30

Organizational Setting

The Strategy and Knowledge Department (SKD) provides expert guidance on IFAD's strategic direction, thematic priorities and technical quality of IFAD's operations. It plays a critical role in providing technical expertise to operational teams to enhance development effectiveness, by generating and disseminating IFAD's development knowledge and evidence on strategic themes, and encouraging innovative application of cutting-edge global knowledge and evidence in IFAD investments to support countries tackle their most complex development challenges in fostering inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. As part of SKD, the Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) facilitates improved and efficient delivery of IFAD's corporate mandate, predominantly through the quality of the design and implementation of its policies, country strategies and projects.

Key Functions and Results

The consultant provides professional technical assistance in the area of ICT for Development (ICT4D) in Agriculture covering primarily the Asia and Pacific Region (APR) Region but also supporting corporate level activities in the delivery of the action plan linked to the ICT4D strategy. The key action areas include (i) building internal ICT4D awareness within IFAD; (ii) supporting the scalable uptake of ICT4D solutions; (iii) strengthening ICT4D partnerships; and (iv) promoting knowledge management and sharing related to ICT4D.
Accountabilities/key results expected are:

Technical Advice and Programme Assistance
Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Support
Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization Support
Others as assigned

Key Activities:

TECHNICAL ADVICE AND PROGRAM ASSISTANCE: Based on proficient technical knowledge and analysis of current thematic conditions, emerging development challenges in the assigned region. The Consultant for ICT4D in agriculture provides technical advice that contributes to improving the delivery of IFAD Programmes/Projects aimed at inclusive and sustainable rural transformation. S/he, in collaboration with the Global Senior Technical Specialist and the Technical Specialist -ICT4D, and oversight from the Lead Regional Technical Specialist, PMI & Regional Economist, PMD based in Latin America and Caribbean Region and Asia Pacific Region is responsible for provision of technical advice to country programmes in the Region particularly:

Support the APR and LAC Region in the implementation of the ICT4D Action Plan
Supporting integration of digital technologies in new designs and/or piloting and scale-up of digital technologies including GIS Integration, Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence and leveraging Data for IFAD supported projects in Latin America and Caribbean Region and Asia Pacific Region
Support the development and review of country strategies integrating ICT4D based on review of existing technologies, partners, existing solutions and lessons from IFAD¿s investments and emerging priorities related to ICT in Agriculture in the region.
Support with review of additional technical documents including project concept notes and project designs,
Support the ICT4D team in development of the new Global ICT4D Action Plan 2024-2030 and Strategy MTR
Contribute to the dissemination ICT4D Advanced Course in LAC and APR
Support in the development, coordination and dissemination of case studies, lessons learnt etc. from implementation of digital solutions in the region and beyond as precursor for ICT4D MTR
Other tasks as assigned

2. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING: S/he contributes to policy engagement and project development processes at the country level through technical knowledge sharing for his/her area of specialization. S/He will support access to the latest sources of knowledge and innovation, contributes to strengthening regional technical capacity and establishing new knowledge and advisory partnerships among others, particularly:

Update the Global Tracker of ICT4D Projects by updating ICT4D Solutions developed collaboratively by APR, LAC and PMI, and provide an overview of solutions implemented in the region based on the updated content (by types, countries, source of funding, etc.).
Support in the organisation and management of ICT4D Task team meetings and community of practice hosted on Dgroups covering all regions.
Assist in the organisation of knowledge events and dissemination of proceedings related to ICT4D in the Region KM Plan for 2024 and ICT4D KM Plan
Support Capacity building activities related to ICT4D in the region and beyond.
Support other ad hoc knowledge and policy related tasks and activities.

Key Performance Indicators

Participate in at least 2 design/supervision missions in the assigned to support integration of digital technologies with a focus GIS and Data
Support in the implementation of the Regional and Global ICT4D Action Plan
Support dissemination of ICT4D Advanced courses and planning for Master classes as part of KM.
Support in the development, coordination and dissemination of case studies, lessons learnt etc. from implementation of digital solutions in the region and beyond as precursor for ICT4D MTR
Support the ICT4D Strategy MTR and Global ICT4D Action Plan 2024-2030
At least 2 ICT4D task team meetings and follow-up actions completed for the Region.
Contribute towards project implementation support and supervisions as required.
Produce end of consultancy report and complete all tasks assigned.

Job Profile Requirements

Advanced University degree in Information management, ICT4D, public policy, development and social sciences or similar fields.
Technical expertise in implementing and reinforcing knowledge management and grant operations principles and practices in core work streams through a combination of processes, tools and incentives, including improved visibility, relevance and accessibility of knowledge products for external audiences and in operations;
Programme/Project development, management, Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management;
Understanding of data science, and data science techniques and familiarity with machine learning tools, models and algorithms will be an advantage
Exposure to GIS technologies, with a preference for open soucre frameworks will be an advantage
Minimum 3 years of experience in digital technologies in international development is required. Relevant experience in digital technologies for agriculture is desirable.
Proficiency in English and while for LAC Spanish language is required and other UN languages (Arabic, French etc.) are desirable

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.

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 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.

Given the diverse technical nature of the assignments, IFAD is looking for consultants of varying ability above the minimum threshold stated.

Applicants to this call for interest will undergo a first level screening and those candidates meeting the minimum requirements will undergo a more in-depth assessment in order to be included in IFAD’s Consultants Roster. Inclusion in the roster is no guarantee of assignment.

Consultants are not considered staff of IFAD. This consultancy assignment does not carry any expectation of employment, extension or conversion to another type of contract with the Fund.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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