Senior Private Sector Portfolio Officer - Rome, Italy

Key Functions and Results

• Provide strategic oversight and efficient supervision of IFAD’s non‑sovereign private sector operations (NSO) portfolio, coordinating with the PSD unit, directors, and technical specialists.
• Design and optimize processes and information technology systems to ensure data integrity, timely reporting, and alignment with IFAD’s strategic priorities.
• Engage cross‑functional partners at HQ and decentralized offices to promote job creation, women’s economic empowerment, climate change mitigation, and other development impact themes.
• Support PSD colleagues, Country and Regional Directors in building operational relationships with private sector partners to integrate NSOs within IFAD country programmes.
• Provide senior‑level technical advice and assistance across the portfolio life cycle, including implementation, monitoring, workouts, and risk reporting.

Support the Delivery and Reporting of PSD Work Program

• Assist the Director, PSD in delivering the PSD work plan and building synergies among teams.
• Adaptively respond to evolving priorities and opportunities across IFAD initiatives and external partnerships.
• Support the delivery of PSD Special Initiatives and other reporting activities as required.

Knowledge Management

• Draft and review policies, procedures, monitoring tools, and manuals supporting the NSO strategy.
• Develop and deliver training modules and knowledge management tools for high‑impact private sector programmes.
• Participate in IFAD‑wide thematic discussions and develop technical operations on private sector themes.
• Implement lessons learned and oversee special initiatives hosted by PSD.
• Undertake other knowledge management activities as needed.

Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization

• Mobilize resources and build partnerships with DFIs, impact investors, foundations, and corporate partners to expand resources for smallholders and agribusiness.
• Represent IFAD at international, regional, and inter‑agency meetings, seminars, and conferences, communicating technical issues.
• Contribute to the mobilization of resources for NSOs through partnerships and outreach activities.
• Conduct other partnership building and resource mobilization activities as needed.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the development and application of a results framework for NSOs.
• Enhance and implement performance and portfolio monitoring systems for NSOs.
• Prepare analytical findings and reports to aid decision‑making on project viability, sustainability, and overall portfolio management.
• Conduct other monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities as needed.

Managerial Functions

The incumbent is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in managing IFAD resources, including supervising junior staff and external consultants as required.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in finance, economics, accounting, business management, or a related field.
• CPA, CMA, CFA, CIA, CPC, CGMA or similar professional certification desirable.
• At least eight years of progressive responsibility in managing, structuring, and executing private sector investment projects, including loan, equity, and guarantee investments.
• Prior experience in international financial institutions or development institutions, and in private sector operations and initiatives.
• Experience in investment portfolio oversight, risk reporting, and blended and climate finance investments.
• Fluency in English (Excellent). French, Spanish, Arabic (Good) are desirable.

Skills

• Development finance expertise in debt, lending terms, financial policies, and resource allocation.
• Adaptability and flexibility to manage complex processes and unexpected situations.
• Corporate vision implementation, budgeting, and strategic priority alignment.
• Interpersonal skills for patient and tactful communication with senior individuals.
• Problem‑solving and systematic analytical thinking to develop sustainable solutions.
• Advanced communication skills for negotiation, synthesis, and clear written and verbal presentation.
• Evidence‑based policy formulation using hard evidence.
• Private sector investment expertise: assessing proposals, conducting due diligence, and instrument deployment.
• Project/programme management knowledge (design, development, evaluation).

Languages

• English – Excellent (4)
• French – Good (3) – desirable
• Spanish – Good (3) – desirable
• Arabic – Good (3) – desirable

Position Specifics

Application materials should demonstrate a strong record of private sector investment portfolio management, technical independence, and effective partnership building at global, regional, and country levels.