Private Sector Finance Specialist - Call for Interest (Temporary Professional Officer)

Position details

• Job ID: 37936
• Organizational unit: Front Office Financial Op
• Grade: P-3
• Appointment: Temporary
• Schedule: Full-Time
• Assignment duration: 11 months
• Application deadline: 09/28/2026 (Rome time)

Organizational Setting

This call is advertised as a short-term assignment with a duration of initially 11 months and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures' definition of 'internal') be selected, the contract type would be that of a short-term professional (TPO). In the event an IFAD staff member, holding a Fixed Term contract be selected, the movement would be implemented as a Temporary Assignment through the applicable provisions. Applicants should verify and obtain their supervisors' support to be released in the event they are selected.

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. IFAD invests in rural people to increase agricultural productivity, raise rural incomes and strengthen resilience. Through its programmes and investments, IFAD supports rural transformation and advocates for policies that contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.

The Financial Operations Department (FOD) is a dynamic financial, strategic and responsive business partner and service provider fully supporting IFAD in developing its financial strategy and managing its financial, investments and material resources. FOD ensures that these resources are efficiently, economically and effectively used to achieve IFAD's objectives in the long-term and deliver on its development commitments. The Financial Operations Department is composed of the following three divisions: (a) Financial Controller's Division (FCD), (b) Procurement and Financial Management Division (PFM) and (c) Treasury Services Division (TRE), and a Front Office.

The Front Office of FOD also includes a Development Finance team which supports the AVP-FOD in (i) aligning IFAD's operational and financial planning needs in the near and medium term, (ii) ensuring coherence and effectiveness of IFAD's financial profile as a rated institution and (iii) playing a convergence role between the development, financial and strategic dimensions of IFAD's operations (for both Sovereign and Non-Sovereign Operations), preserving the Fund's reputation and sustainability. The team also coordinates with units responsible for resource mobilization, financial planning, allocation of financial resources, ongoing programme delivery in Operations and Risk Management.

Separately, as part of IFAD's strategic priorities to strengthen its Private Sector Strategy, also as part of its IFAD13 objectives, the Financial Operations Department (FOD) is aiming to identify and design appropriate innovative financing mechanisms than can potentially be extended to both non-sovereign and sovereign sectors, and ensure IFAD is well equipped to meet demand and effectively mitigate risks, while driving positive change through impactful private sector partnerships.

Job Role

The Private Sector Finance Specialist position is located in the Front Office of FOD and works under the direct supervision of the Associate Vice President (AVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 

The incumbent provides financial, analytical, coordination and strategic support to the AVP & CFO and the FOD Front Office in advancing IFAD's NSO priorities, in line with the Department's strategic and policy direction.

Key Functions and Results

The Private Sector Finance Specialist core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

• Provide direct support to the AVP and CFO in preparing high-quality written outputs, including briefing notes, analytical reports, presentations and internal communications related to NSO activities.

• Provide analytical and coordination support across FOD divisions, including TRE, FCD, PFM and DevFin, on financial and operational matters related to IFAD's NSO activities.

• Support the review and coordination of NSO transactions throughout the project cycle, including at the Project Eligibility Note (PEN), Project Concept Note (PCN) and Project Appraisal Report (PAR) stages.

• Lead coordination between the FOD Front Office and the Private Sector Division (PSD), the Office of Enterprise Risk Management (RMO), the Office of the General Counsell (LEG), the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) and other relevant functions to facilitate the development and implementation of NSO transactions and departmental initiatives.

• Support the implementation of process improvements across FOD, including the Dahlberg recommendations and new tools and automation initiatives, to enhance the efficiency of NSO-related processes and workflows.

• Identify critical system gaps affecting NSO processes and workflows across FCD and TRE, and work with ICT and relevant teams to develop and implement practical solutions.

• Coordinate with TRE on NSO transaction pricing, taking into account IFAD's available financing sources and applicable financial parameters.

• Review and provide analytical comments on Private Sector Advisory Committee (PSAC) documentation and related materials.

• Participate in Operational Strategy and Policy Guidance Committee (OSC) NSO meetings and represent FOD, as appropriate, providing relevant financial and operational input.

• Perform other duties as required to support FOD's NSO activities and broader private sector financing agenda.

Working Relationships

The work relationships of the incumbent involve both written and verbal communications to obtain and provide information regarding financial matters. Internal Fund contacts extend to supervisors and staff throughout the Fund to promote understanding of finance regulations, technical financial matters, and procedures pertaining to finance matters within the incumbent's area of assignment. This requires skill in building constructive, effective relationships. External contacts are predominantly with Borrowers/Recipients, donors and institutions and are for the purpose of exchanging information, data, and documentation.

Job Profile Requirements

Education 

• An advanced university degree from an accredited institution in finance, economics, business administration, development finance, public policy or another relevant field.
• The degree must be awarded by an institution listed in the World Higher Education Database: https://www.whed.net/home.php.

Experience 

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in private sector finance, treasury, investment analysis, financial or policy advisory services, transaction support or project management.
• Experience in an international financial institution, multilateral development bank, development finance institution, investment bank or comparable financial-sector organization is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in private sector or non-sovereign transactions, including financial analysis, transaction structuring, blended finance, funding structures and pricing considerations.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary stakeholders and supporting transaction or project processes from concept development through appraisal and implementation.
• Experience reviewing, testing and implementing new processes, digital tools or workflow automation initiatives.

Language and other skills   

• Required: English (4 - Excellent)

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong coordination and stakeholder management abilities.

Other Information

This call is advertised as a short-term assignment with a duration of initially 11 months and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures' definition of 'internal') be selected, the contract type would be that of a short-term professional (TPO). In the event an IFAD staff member, holding a Fixed Term contract be selected, the movement would be implemented as a Temporary Assignment through the applicable provisions. Applicants should verify and obtain their supervisors' support to be released in the event they are selected.

Applicants should note that 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 based on ethnic, social, or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size, or sexual orientation. This is in line with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategyand our Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please refer to the UN disability-inclusive language guidelines.

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 accordance with IFAD's provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFAD's remuneration package, please visit IFAD's compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

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.