Senior Quality Assurance Specialist [ROME, P4]

This job is located in Rome, ItalyOrganizational SettingThe 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 Quality Assurance and Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit (QAS) ensures that operational and environmental and social safeguards guidelines and standards are adequately complied with along the project cycle: country strategies, loans, grants, implementation and completion.Job RoleThe incumbent is a highly qualified professional with substantial operational experience in IFAD or similar multilateral development banks or international financial institutions. The incumbent technically supports the Chief, Quality Assurance and Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit (QAS), to ensure proper oversight and authoritative advice across the project cycle and the grants programme.The incumbent is responsible for providing oversight and quality assurance support for country strategies, programme and project design, implementation (including restructuring) and closure, as well as grant design and alignment with IFAD's operational programme. Along with a team of Quality Assurance specialists under their supervision, the incumbent ensures that lessons learned from the project cycle are systematically captured and reflected in the knowledge management agenda of the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE).As an integral and senior member of the QAS team, the incumbent works collaboratively across departments and divisions to ensure the consistent application of IFAD's operational policies, standards and procedures, and to provide high-quality strategic and technical advice. The incumbent exercises a supervisory role and provides technical oversight for review work carried out by other members of the QAS team throughout the programming cycle.The role requires continuous awareness of emerging trends and good practices, supported by active outreach and collaboration with IFI and UN counterparts.Minimum requirementsEducation:Level - Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent)*.Areas - Agriculture, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, Program Evaluation.Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php(*) Note: For internal candidates, this requirement will be assessed in line with the provisions set forth in IFAD's Human Resources Implementing Procedures.Experience:At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, initiatives in the field of specialization.Two (2) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.Senior expert knowledge of internationally recognized compliance, policy, legal and public procurement standards during all phases of project structuring, financing and supervision, with a particular focus on previous work on projects in the developing world.Extensive and relevant experience in managing and accessing critical linkages between compliance, legal requirements, safeguards, procurement and business functions.At least five (5) years operational experiences in the management and supervision of rural development projects/programmes.Strong inter-personal skills to lead a multi-stakeholder process, strong technical skills to set in motion the schedule of and the actual implementation of a strategy or policy; strong upward management skills to obtain management support on time.Languages:Required: English (4 - Excellent)Desirable: French, Spanish, and/or Arabic (3 - Good)🔗 How to Apply for this job at IFAD:1️⃣ Visit our careers portal: https://job.ifad.org2️⃣ Search by Vacancy ID (enter only the number: 36036) or Job Title ‘Senior Quality Assurance Specialist’3️⃣ Click the arrow (➡️) to view full job details4️⃣ Select "Apply" to begin your application🕧 Deadline to apply: Monday, 25 June 2026 23.59 CET