Senior Agribusiness Specialist

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

4d

About The Position

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty on a livable planet, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The WBG Planet Vice Presidency is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions to our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact. Its mandate is to deliver knowledge for impact and business to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission. The Farming and Agribusiness Department (FAB) focuses on the sustainable transformation of the food system, including leveraging the food system to create more and better jobs by supporting foundational infrastructure, creating an enabling policy environment, and private capital mobilization.
The FAB Department also provides leadership for the AgriConnect initiative at the global level and to achieve its specific targets. The Department’s objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, MBA, or in a relevant discipline.
• At least eight years of relevant working experience across regions in areas related to agribusiness, agrifinance, inclusive value chain development and agri-food systems transformation.
• Demonstrated solid experience in managing complex projects, with high-impact results.
• Strong analytical skills with track record of delivering cutting edge products, and solid experience in leading policy dialogue on critical issues of relevance for the transformation of agri-food systems. Recognized as a leading expert on agribusiness, agrifinance and related topics.
• Proven team skills with the ability to function in a demanding, fast-paced, multi-sectoral and multi-cultural environment.
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels and from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and team skills with ability to find balanced, pragmatic, and implementable solutions.
• Ability to work across various subject areas and multi-disciplinary teams, while being diplomatic and sensitive to cultural, political and gender issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to present complex issues to World Bank management and senior Government representatives, as well as to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to frequently travel.

Nice To Haves

• Operational familiarity with the World Bank’s project cycle - from preparation to completion - for investment operations, financial intermediary loans, policy-based lending or analytical and advisory services, as well as knowledge of IFC investments and advisory services would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership on the FAB Department’s agribusiness, finance and jobs agenda and work closely with country teams as they implement and scale related development solutions.
• Play a leading role in the rollout of the AgriConnect initiative at the global level, working closely with the AgriConnect Secretariat, other FAB teams and relevant Verticals, providing thought leadership on the various workflows (outcomes, scaling solutions, country engagement, partnerships).
• Lead or contribute as core team member to analytical and advisory products and initiate and maintain productive engagement with clients and other stakeholders (including multilateral and bilateral donors) on strategic program development and policy reforms relevant for the transformation of agriculture, agribusiness, agri-food systems, and rural economies.
• Lead or contribute to policy dialogue on agribusiness, finance and jobs working with clients, development and other partners.
• Lead the department’s work on PCM and PCE in the agri-food sector, and support regional and country teams in increasing PCM and PCE in the sector.
• Advise World Bank teams in the preparation and supervision of agribusiness and value chain development operations, bringing global knowledge and helping scale innovations and solutions, and contribute to agribusiness engagements led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Ensure that projects and contributions are delivered at high levels of quality and in a timely manner.
• Work with staff of the Global Practice, other Global Practices, IFC, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to identify opportunities for addressing agribusiness issues as part of the broader World Bank core diagnostics.
• Remain current with relevant major pieces of analytical work in the profession. Participate in strategic analytical work and work with teams engaged in analytical work relevant to the Department’s work program.
• Represent the World Bank in fora involving the community of development partners.

Benefits

• The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level