What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conference and Meetings Services Officer [JOB DUTY STATION: ROME, ITALY, P-3] position at International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)?
This job is based in Rome, Italy.
Organizational Setting
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. 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 Office of the Secretary (SEC) is headed by the Secretary of IFAD, and forms part of the Office of Legal and Governance (OLG) that in turn is headed by the Chief Legal and Governance Officer (CLGO).
The Office of the Secretary of IFAD (SEC) is responsible for IFAD's governance and promoting effective relationship between IFAD and its Member States. SEC is composed of the Front Office, Documents and Languages Services (DLS), Conference and Meeting Services (CMS) and Governance and Membership Services (GMS). The corresponding services work together in support of the Fund's institutional governance, organizing formal and informal sessions of IFAD's governing bodies, from the Governing Council to the Executive Board and subsidiary bodies, through the provision of a series of services and interactions ranging from official contact with Member States and potential Member States, provision of documentation for Governing Bodies in the four official languages of the Fund, organization of formal and informal governing body meetings and safeguarding multilingualism through the provision of translation and interpretation services.
The Conference and Meetings Services (CMS) workstream provides administrative and organisational conference services to support the effective planning and delivery of IFAD's governing body meetings and related in-person and virtual events, both at headquarters, in decentralised locations and for off-site meetings.
The position is located in SEC Division and the incumbent works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance and the direct supervision of the Secretary of IFAD and Director of the Office of the Secretary.
Job Role
The Conference and Meetings Services Officer is accountable for the end-to-end planning, coordination and delivery of IFAD's major statutory and governance-related meetings, including the Executive Board, Governing Council and related subsidiary body sessions. The incumbent ensures the smooth functioning of the Conference and Meetings Services (CMS) workstream by providing both strategic and operational leadership for in-person, hybrid and virtual meetings, while supervising the CMS team and managing associated budgets. The CMS Officer drives continuous improvement to enhance quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ensuring high standards and strict adherence to deadlines through the integration of innovative meeting technologies, including AI-based tools.
Job Profile Requirements
Organizational Competencies:
Level 1:
- 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
- Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
- Managing performance and developing staff -
- Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
- Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
- Strategic thinking and organizational development - Personal influence
- Team working - Contributes effectively to the team
Education:
- Level - Level - Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) combined with at least four additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
- Areas: Communication, International Relations, Conference Management or related fields.
Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php
Experience:
- At least five years (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international conference management, including at least three (3) years in the UN, IFI system or comparable international organizations
Languages:
- Required: English (4 - Excellent)
- Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 - Good)
Click "Apply" to read the full job description and submit your application.
Deadline for applications: 15th October 2025 (23.59 CET Rome)
Ref: VA 31144
